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Gerlos Alpine Road (Special Toll)

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What is the Gerlos Alpine Road?

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The Gerlos Alpine Road, which runs directly through the Hohe Tauern National Park and nature reserve, is an approximately 12-kilometre-long, two-lane road subject to a distance-based toll (special toll route). It is located around 100 kilometres east of Innsbruck and can be reached by leaving the E 45 heading south onto the 169, which merges into the 165 near Zell am Ziller.

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Tip: National Park Summer Card or Salzburger SuperSkiCard?

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Holders of the Nationalpark Sommercard or the Salzburger SuperSkiCard can use the Gerlos Alpine Road free of charge.

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The Gerlos Alpine Road connects the villages of Königsleiten and Wald im Pinzgau in addition to Federal Road 165. In total, the Gerlos Alpine Road is around 20 kilometres long. The maximum gradient is 9%. The speed limit on the alpine road is 70 km/h. Since the route is open not only to cars and motorcycles but also to lorries, significantly increased traffic is to be expected, especially during holiday periods.

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The Gerlos Alpine Road was planned in 1949 by Franz Wallack, who had already been responsible for planning the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The alpine road was built between 1960 and 1962, making the construction period two years. However, the road has only been continuously passable since 1964. Characteristic of Wallack's planning is that the alpine road blends extremely harmoniously into the surrounding landscape, giving the impression that it has always been part of its environment. The Krimml Waterfalls, an outstanding scenic highlight, can be admired from every car park along the alpine road.

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Best Seasons: Summer and Winter

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In addition to the Krimml Waterfalls, the Gerlos Alpine Road leads directly through a holiday region, the Zillertal Arena. In summer, travellers and tourists have access to up to 400 kilometres of hiking trails leading to various inns in the Hohe Tauern area.

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In winter, the region becomes one of the most popular ski areas for skiers in Austria and is part of one of the largest ski networks in the world. The combination of a scenic drive, hiking trails, ski slopes, hotels and restaurants, as well as the Krimml Waterfalls, makes the Gerlos Alpine Road — the former cart track — one of the most visited panoramic roads in Austria.

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On the western side of the area, the view is partially obscured by dense forest; however, drivers benefit from numerous very well-engineered bends. In the eastern section, the particularly impressive Krimml Waterfalls can be found. The best time to visit the Gerlos Alpine Road is generally between May and October.

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At the summit, rare raised bogs can be observed. These are nearly extinct, acidic and moist habitats that are fed entirely by precipitation and yet withstand extreme weather conditions.

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Those who wish to use the Gerlos Alpine Road not merely as a transit route but also want to spend part of their holiday in this region will find numerous hotels and restaurants on site and in the surrounding area.

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Can you bypass the Gerlos Alpine Road?

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Yes, the Gerlos Alpine Road can be bypassed by using the Gerlos Road. However, this road is very narrow in many places and is no longer in a consistently optimal condition. Using the Gerlos Road is free of charge.

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The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

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We wish you a safe trip to Austria and are happy to assist you with any questions about toll regulations. Detailed information on toll in Austria can be found in our guide. Feel free to use our route calculator to plan your trip perfectly and have suitable toll products displayed. Contact us with any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette via our email.

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FAQ about the Gerlos Alpine Road

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Is the Gerlos Alpine Road subject to a (distance-based) toll?

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Yes, the Gerlos Alpine Road is subject to a toll, as a distance-based toll is charged for its use.

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How high is Gerlos in Austria?

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The village of Gerlos is situated at an altitude of 1,247 metres above sea level.

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What does the Gerlos Alpine Road connect?

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The Gerlos Alpine Road serves as an important mountain pass road. It connects the two Austrian federal states of Salzburg and Tyrol and also provides a connection between the municipality of Wald and Königsleiten.

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