Linking the floor of the Montafon valley to the reservoir lake at Bielerhöhe, the Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse is one of Austria’s most spectacular Alpine roads, carved with 32 numbered hairpin bends.
A generous climb of switchbacks
From Partenen, it’s 15.1 km for 999 m of elevation gain, averaging 6.6% with brief ramps up to 12%. The road winds through 32 hairpin bends before reaching the Bielerhöhe at 2,032 m, right beside the Silvretta reservoir lake.
A toll road open to cyclists
Built in the 1950s to serve the Vermunt hydroelectric dam, the road became a scenic toll route for motor vehicles. Cyclists ride it for free, and the road hosts the Silvretta Bike Marathon each year, a cyclosportive that draws a strong following in the region.
Getting the ride right
The steady gradient throughout makes it possible to hold a strong pace, but the altitude and wind exposure near the top are worth planning for with an extra layer.
When to go
Late May to mid-October: the seasonal road closes in winter due to snow, and its opening date each year depends on conditions on the pass.
Good to know
Partenen, the starting town in the Montafon, has shops and accommodation, while the Bielerhöhe at the summit has a hotel and restaurant overlooking the reservoir.