Austria in the Spring

[Bungy]

I am in the early stages of planning a trip to Austria in the spring and will be joining up with some friends travelling to Worthersee at the end of April. I have been here before and up the Grossglockner but in a car. At the moment it looks like a tunnel crossing with a stopover at a German brewery hotel and then on down to Worthersee to a house booked for a week. I would like to use that as a base and explore further including a ride up the grossglockner. Any first hand recommendations for areas or roads within 100 miles or so?

 

[Mongolian Explorer]

Might be difficult to do passes if you are in early early !

 

[Wapping]

• Have a look out of the window (and at the local regional forecast) at the weather on the day(s) you are there. Proceeded (or not) accordingly.
• Buy a copy of the bible of Alpine touring: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-JOURNEYS-THROUGH-THE-ALPS/dp/1884313388/ref=dp_ob_title_bk It's just a few quid between you and your mate
• Have a look at all the other treads on ‘Great roads’ and ‘What will the weather be like?’ etc etc etc
• Have a look at the Garmin GPS routes, created to answer the very question you are asking
• Buy a half decent map. Alternatively, most hotels and tourist offices give them away.

If anyone wonders where Worthersee might be, here's a handy map, along with an indication of where the 100 mile radius finds its outer limit:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/G...1!1s0x4770776e985e4e41:0x2d05d53cf95f6b81!3e0

Me? I'd go into Slovenia.

 

[The Grey One]

Normally the high roads in that area are open by May 1st. As I have said before it is down to how much snow falls in the winter months and not the weather in April/May. Obviously the deeper the winter snows the longer it takes to clear. The Grossglockner and the Nockalmstrasse both usually open on the first of May, if not before I have ridden the 'Glockner on opening day many times now, sometime the spur up to the bikers point does not get cleared for the first few days but otherwise riding between high snow banks is an unforgettable experience.

The passes that are public roads are almost always open well before that. You are spoilt for choice in that region although there are one or two roads that don't open so early-the Mangart road in Slovenia for instance.

I lived out there for eight summers so if you want and further info let me know.

John

 

[leedude03]

the mangart slovenia 7/6/2015

 

[Bungy]

• Have a look out of the window (and at the local regional forecast) at the weather on the day(s) you are there. Proceeded (or not) accordingly.
• Buy a copy of the bible of Alpine touring: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-JOURNEYS-THROUGH-THE-ALPS/dp/1884313388/ref=dp_ob_title_bk It's just a few quid between you and your mate
• Have a look at all the other treads on ‘Great roads’ and ‘What will the weather be like?’ etc etc etc
• Have a look at the Garmin GPS routes, created to answer the very question you are asking
• Buy a half decent map. Alternatively, most hotels and tourist offices give them away.

If anyone wonders where Worthersee might be, here's a handy map, along with an indication of where the 100 mile radius finds its outer limit:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/G...1!1s0x4770776e985e4e41:0x2d05d53cf95f6b81!3e0

Me? I'd go into Slovenia.

I don't currently have a Garmin and have used the Tom Tom app on my phone for years. I'm starting to wonder if I should make the change over to be able to plan road specific routes? It seems to be what others do. Just not sure if i'd use it.

 

[red1]

Don't want to be classed as a heretic but personally I didn't think it was worth the 20€ toll. Good ride but there are lots of better routes in Austria.

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

 

[The Grey One]

Don't want to be classed as a heretic but personally I didn't think it was worth the 20€ toll. Good ride but there are lots of better routes in Austria.

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

In 2015 it was 24 Euros. Not cheap but in the scheme of things not a huge sum of money. Whilst I agree there are better riding roads the Grossglockner offers stunning views and as long as you avoid busy times or bad weather is great fun to ride.

John

 

[Watty100]

We stayed at the bike friendly Gasthof Hochalmspitz in Maltatal last September, rode from there up to the dam, a pleasant ride and nice views. There is a toll but its free if your accomodation provides you with a Karntencard , it also gives discounts on entry to the Grossglockner and Nochalmstrasse.