Today we transit through Italy briefly after which it is an all-Austrian affair sampling some of the most famous panoramic roads. Shortly out of Sölden, we engage the Timmelsjoch high pass road with architectural motorcycle museum, followed by a couple of minor passes, skirting Innsbruck, onto the Zillertal High Elevation Road, Gerlos Straße, Grossglockner High Alpine Road, to Flattach. Flattach is a tourism/skiing town.The Schlegeis Alpenstrasse is optional out and back ~65kms (1.5hrs)
Daily Highlights
- Timmelsjoch (Motorcycles 1-way:14 Euro) Timmelsjoch (Italian: Passo del Rombo), elevation 2,474 metres (8,117 ft),is a high mountain pass that creates a link through the Ötztal Alps along the border between Austria and Italy. Timmelsjoch connects the Ötztal valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol to the Passeier Valley in the Italian province of South Tyrol, as it bridges the saddle point between the Jochköpfl (3,141 metres (10,305 ft)) and Wurmkogl (3,082 metres (10,112 ft) peaks to its northeast and southwest, respectively. The pass is sometimes called the “secret passage” because it is little-used compared to the much easier and lower Brenner Pass some 25 kilometres (16 mi) to its east, and Reschen Pass some 60 kilometres (37 mi) to its west. Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum has a remarkable architecture, and hosts over 200 classic motorcycles (10 Euro per person).
- Zillertal High Elevation Road (Motorcycle: 5 Euro) Zillertaler Höhenstraße is a high mountain road located in the Zillertal Alps, in Austria. This toll road is 48kms long, and climbs up from 550 to 2,020 metres above sea level. This beautiful alpine road was built in 1963. It offers fantastic panoramic views of the Zillertal Alps. Driving along the stunning Zillertaler Höhenstraße is an amazing experience and something you will never forget. It has a total altitude difference of 1400m. Opening times are from mid-May until end of October (dependent on the snow situation).
- TheZillertaler Höhenstraße is one of the most beautiful alpine roads in Austria and offers all visitors a magnificent journey up to altitudes of 2,020 metres above sea level by caror motorcycle.
- Schlegeis Alpenstraße (Motorcycle:8.5 Euro) A winding roadwith views of the Zillertal mountain sceneryThe Schlegeis Alpenstrasse Alpine Road leads to a breathtaking high mountain region. Along the route, waterfalls, natural stone tunnels and many a glacial view await. For true bikers, getting there is more thanhalf the fun -and everyone else can look forward to the emerald green reservoir and a pure mountain experience at the destination.
- Gerlos Straße (Motorcycle:6.5 Euro) The Gerlos Alpine Road is located in the High Tauern National Park, which is made up of a core zone and an extended zone. The same pretty much applies to this road, because the core part, the actual Gerlos Alpine Road, is the twelve kilometer stretch from Krimml up to the pass summit on the Pinzgau side. This section of the alpine road that now runs as far as Gerlos was planned by Franz Wallack, architect of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The ascent to the pass summit was then constructed from the Tyrolean side resulting in an interrupted route from Krimml to Gerlos in 1962. A total of 69 varied kilometres make up the road overall. Open all year around.
- The Krimml Waterfalls, with a total height of 380 metres, are the highest waterfall in Austria. The falls are on the Krimmler Ache river and are located near the village of Krimml in the High Tauern National Park in Salzburg state. Krimml is on the Gerlos Straße.. Lowest waterfall can be reached in 10-15 minutes on foot from parking areas.
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Motorcycle: 26 Euro) The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. It connects Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Törl and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m. The road is named after the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain.
Daily Video Highlights
Daily Blog
Today was HUGE. At the outset the Foxes had expressed concern at the level of “gratuitous kilometage”. Quite frankly, the Seniors are fatigued. Boxy has suggested the introduction of a feedback form so that they (Boxy/Singo) are not marginalised. The motion was defeated by Hydro who threatened to lock himself back in his room. The suggestion that such feedback be 360 degrees was another mitigating factor.
Today we probably travelled more kilometres up & down than sideways. We are alternately riding up to snow capped mountains at 3,000 metres and then plunging into lush green forests. We have darted across rough goat tracks all the while looking down from these huge mountains on glacial lakes, villages, sheep & cows. More like trail bike riding. At the end of one of these goat tracks, Zilataler high elevation road, is Lunch at Zirmstadl – an out of the way top of mountain. This is the home of the Marmot according to Hydro who goes onto provide some imitations of one. After lunch we rode to the Großglockner National Park & climbed a couple of mountains. It’s 6pm & time to get to the hotel at Flattach. Dinner at the hotel. Russ & Hydro have taken on the locals at “super schnapps” and lived to tell the story.
Silver Foxes Motorcycle Club Australia 