Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
This incredible drive in southern Austria in Tirol takes you up into the mountains of Austria. Wind around gorgeous mountain roads in and out of idyllic villages with quaint and beautiful churches. Close to the Dolomites in Italy and the border of Slovenia, the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse is a fun and daring drive.
Like many mountain roads, this drive has an element of danger as many of the roads pass along the edge of drop offs with few guard rails. If you get nervous on small mountain roads, you may want to skip this drive.
We drove the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse during the summer of 2022 on our drive between Slovenia and the Dolomites in Italy.
Where is Pustertaler Höhenstrasse?
The Pustertaler Höhenstrasse winds through the mountains above the Hochpustertal Valley reaching an elevation of 1.4 km. The entire drive is 32 km, but it is possible to drive just sections of this scenic drive. The villages Leisach and Abfaltersbach mark each end of the road. Since there is no fee to drive this road, it is well worth driving at least part of this road, especially if you are already driving through the area.
This incredible drive was built in 1923 and passes through a mostly alpine environment of meadows, woods, and sweet towns. Make sure you have your camera ready and check your brakes – the maximum slope of this curvy road is 17%. This is truly an incredible drive!
Map of the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse
Below is a map of the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse. The road is well marked so once you find the start of the road, you can simply follow the signage to complete the drive. You can also click on the map below to save it to you own account. You can start the drive at either Leisach and Abfaltersbach and follow the signs off Route 100
Sites along the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse
The views are incredible along the entire length of the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse. Both sides of the valley both views of Austria’s Tyrol Dolomites and each turn boasts a new view of a village church. While this is a popular drive, we saw just a few other cars and several bikes. This is a popular biking route so if you are driving, keep your eyes out for bikers whipping around the downhill curves and fighting up the hills.
In addition to the incredible views, there are several other attractions nestled in the mountains. Check out Assling Wildlife Park – hope to over 100 animals, a summer toboggan runs and a large model railway. You can also visit Anras Castle
For example to the Assling wildlife park with its more than 100 animals, a summer toboggan run and a large model railway system. In Anras, visit the 12th century castle, or the Antoniuskirche, with secco paintings from the 17th century.
If you are looking for some video of the drive, check out this short you tube video.
What to Know about Driving the Pustertaler Höhenstrasse
The most important thing to know is that this is a beautiful and adrenaline spiking drive and worth driving if you are in the area. Below are a few things to know about this scenic mountain drive in Austria:
- This drive can be done in a standard car and in vehicles up to 12 meters long. This is also a popular biking route and the entire route is paved.
- The highest point on the drive is 1,446 meters and the elevation gain over the drive is 1,300 meters.
- Much of the road is single lane and there are slopes up to 17%. There are also several roads you can take back down to the valley if you prefer to just drive a small portion of the drive.
- This drive can be challenging or closed during the snowy months.
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