Grossglockner High Alpine Road

If you can manage it, this road with panoramic views is called Großglockner in German, and the curly German ß’s are perfectly suited to the shape of some sections of this road. Named after Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, this pathway has been an important, yet notoriously challenging trade route.
This was the first graded road through the Alps and was built out of desperation in a climate of widespread unemployment at the end of the First World War. The idea was always for it to be a scenic trail, to attract visitors in those new fangled automobiles to some of Austria’s most beautiful and magnetic views. It was opened to toll paying guests in 1935 and in 1938, attracted 37,500 visitors. At 48 km, it’s a day trip, but it winds and bends around mountains and through valleys and peaks at 2504 m, so it’s really the king of all scenic detours. Due to weather and snow, it’s only open between May and October.