Gerlos Alpine Road (Special Toll)

What is the Gerlos Alpine Road?

The Gerlos Alpine Road, which runs directly through the Hohe Tauern National Park and nature reserve, is an approximately 12-kilometer-long, two-lane, and route-toll road (special toll route). It is located around 100 kilometers east of Innsbruck and can be reached by leaving the E45 in a southerly direction onto road 169, which merges into road 165 near Zell am Ziller.

Tip: National Park Summer Card or Salzburg SuperSkiCard?

Holders of the National Park Summer Card or the Salzburg SuperSkiCard can use the Gerlos Alpine Road free of charge.

The Gerlos Alpine Road additionally connects the villages of Königsleiten and Wald im Pinzgau, alongside Federal Road 165. Overall, the Gerlos Alpine Road is around 20 kilometers long. The maximum gradient is 9%. The speed limit on the Alpine Road is 70 km/h. Since the route is approved not only for cars and motorcycles but also for trucks, increased traffic volumes should be expected especially during the holiday season.

The Gerlos Alpine Road was planned in 1949 by Franz Wallack, who was also responsible for planning the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The Alpine Road was built between 1960 and 1962, meaning construction took two years. However, the road has only been fully passable since 1964. A distinctive feature of Wallack’s planning is that the Alpine Road blends extremely harmoniously into the surrounding landscape and gives the impression that it has always been part of the environment. The Krimml Waterfalls, a remarkable scenic highlight, can be admired from every parking area along the Alpine Road.

Best Seasons: Summer and Winter

In addition to the Krimml Waterfalls, the Gerlos Alpine Road runs directly through a holiday region, the Zillertal Arena. In summer, travelers and tourists have access to up to 400 kilometers of hiking trails leading to various inns throughout the Hohe Tauern region.

In winter, the region becomes one of Austria’s most popular ski areas and is part of one of the largest ski networks in the world. The combination of scenic driving, hiking trails, ski resort, hotels and restaurants, and the Krimml Waterfalls makes the Gerlos Alpine Road—once a cart track—one of the most visited panoramic roads in Austria.

On the western side of the area, the view is partly obscured by dense forest, but drivers benefit from numerous well-developed curves. In the eastern section, you will find the particularly impressive Krimml Waterfalls. The best time to visit the Gerlos Alpine Road is usually between May and October.

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

Anyone who does not want to use the Gerlos Alpine Road solely as a connecting route but would like to spend part of their holiday in this region will find numerous hotels and restaurants on site and in the surrounding area.

Can the Gerlos Alpine Road be bypassed?

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 consistently in optimal condition. Using the Gerlos Road is free of charge.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey

We wish you a safe trip to Austria and are happy to assist you with any questions regarding toll regulations. Detailed information about tolls in Austria can be found in our guide. You are also welcome to use our route planner to perfectly plan your trip and see suitable toll products for your journey. If you have any further questions about your trip or our digital vignette, please feel free to contact us via email.

FAQ about the Gerlos Alpine Road