Austria.

Famed for their beautiful smooth roads and the local constabulary are more friendly than in Switzerland. Home of Herr Porsche......and Hans Klamer....speed has always been important. Most of these roads have a toll fee.

Timmelsjoch

The Timmelsjoch pass (Passo del Rombo in Italian) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.509m (8,231ft) above the sea level that creates a link through the Ötztal Alps along the border between Austria and Italy, just some meters below the Queen of Alpine roads, the Passo dello Stelvio. Started in WW2, not finished until 1967. The Hochgurgl Hotel Resort, near Obergurgl with a fantastic new motor cycle museum at 2.175m well worth a visit.

Silvretta

The Silvretta Hochalpenstraße High Alpine Road is considered one of the most beautiful and popular panoramic roads in the Austrian Alps. The 'Dream road of the Alps' is 22.3 km long and leads in 34 curves up to the 2,032 m high, providing unique views in a wonderful natural landscape. Expect steep turns and sharp bends, endless serpentines and a superb panorama. This is a very impressive 30km stretch of road, that takes in Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse toll road, a run directly through a preserved national park. The run up from the East can be briefly interrupted by a diversion just outside of Galtur up to Kops Stausee, a short twisty and steep ascent, but actually with good views since the valley is pretty much pastures at this point.

The Roads

Grossglockner made famous pre-war as the host to an annual speed trial event for Auto-Union and Mercedes Benz cars. Highest pass in Austria. Opened in August 1935 with a sandy track. Mountain nearly 3,800m high the road over 2.500m.

Another famous pass...shortly before the Hahntennjoch pass begins, there is a short section, probably around 1km long where you drop into a gouge, with high rock faces on either side, this has an amazing series of 8 to 10 sweeping cambered bends on "perfect" tarmac (due to the camber one actually makes you feel you are climbing the wall of the valley, wall of death style). This stretch though is wide enough to provide a clear view ahead and steep enough you can really attack the road, and with great soundtracks echoing off the surrounding rock faces, it's really quite special, turn around and drive this stretch again, if you’ve got the time.....

Otztal Glacier Road it is reckoned to be one of highest roads in the EU. It's also a toll road. It's in the south of Austria close to Stelvio. Ski resort is Solden. This resort features in the latest James Bond movie Spectre. Behind the movie clip included.

 Turracher Hohe Pass was historically used by Porsche for winter testing. It features in the launch of the 992/911 variant.

Things to know

Grossglockner toll is Euro 35.00

Silvretta  toll is Euro 15.00

In the Gallery are nine videos each covering one of the best passes in Austria. Which is your favourite?