About This Route
This route combines the sweeping Gerlos Pass with a visit to Austria's highest waterfall. The Krimml Falls drop 380 meters in three stages, and the pass offers excellent curves through the Zillertal Alps.
Why ride Gerlos Pass & Krimml Falls
Gerlos Pass & Krimml Falls sits in Salzburg, Austria, and earns its place on this guide for a simple reason: it gives riders something most roads can't — scenery that genuinely makes you stop the bike, paired with corner work that keeps your hands busy from start to finish.
Across roughly 50 kilometres of asphalt, you'll get a real feel for what riding in this corner of Austria is about. It's not the longest route in the region and it isn't trying to be — it's a focused, high-quality stretch that rewards riders who take their time.
What the riding actually feels like
On a easy-rated road like this one, this is a road most riders can enjoy without stress. Sightlines are generally good, corners are predictable, and you won't need racetrack focus to keep things tidy. It's the kind of route where a passenger can actually relax and enjoy the view.
Read the road first, then commit. The combination of surface, sightlines and traffic on this route rewards a smooth, relaxed pace far more than aggressive corner entries. The route's twistiness rating of 5/5 and scenic rating of 4/5 give a fair indication of where to focus: more on body position and corner technique than on the views.
Best time of year to ride
The honest window is May-October. In practical terms, this route really shines in autumn — golden light, fewer cars and tarmac that's still warm enough for confident cornering. If you only have a narrow weather window, aim for a weekday rather than a weekend — you'll share the road with far fewer cars and tour buses, and the popular pull-offs won't be jammed.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Mittersill, Gerlos. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Krimml village are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Tourist traffic at falls; Tour buses.
- Toll required
- Popular tourist destination
- Toll road; the high scenic section depends on weather/snow outside summer and toll prices change yearly — check current conditions and prices.
Who this route suits
Gerlos Pass & Krimml Falls works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, sport-tourers who live for corner-to-corner flow, adventure bike riders who don't mind the occasional rough patch. Recommended bike types are Touring, Adventure, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Hike to the Krimml Falls viewpoints
- Toll road
- Good road surface