Nockalm road and Gurktal panorama

Route details

Tour through the Carinthian Alps with the Nockalm Road at its heart. 132 kilometers from the artists' town of Gmünd through the UNESCO Nockberge Biosphere Reserve to the Drau Valley.

The Tour begins in Gmünd in Liesertal, a medieval artists' town at the gateway to the Nockberge Biosphere Park. From here, the route leads northeast to Krems in Carinthia to the toll station of the Nockalm Road.

The Nockalm Road is the central element of this Tour. The 35-kilometre toll Scenic route winds its way through the UNESCO Carinthian Nockberge Biosphere Park with 52 Hairpins. The highest point is on the Eisentalhöhe at 2,042 meters above sea level. The road connects Innerkrems with Ebene Reichenau and has a maximum gradient of 12 percent. The curves are mostly gentle and easy to master, even for less experienced riders. The road surface is in good condition.

An important note: Motorcycles are prohibited on the Nockalmstrasse between 6 pm and 8 am. The speed limit is 70 km/h and checks are carried out regularly. The Toll is currently around 17 euros for motorcycles and is valid as a day pass, so multiple journeys are possible.

The landscape is characterized by the eponymous Nocken, gently rounded, grassy knolls that are around 60 million years old. The biosphere park is home to the largest contiguous spruce and stone pine forests in the entire Eastern Alps. Several alpine huts and inns along the route invite you to stop for a bite to eat.

After the descent from the Nockalm road towards Ebene Reichenau, the Route continues via Gnesau in the upper Gurktal valley. Gnesau is part of the Carinthian Wooden Road and is known for its traditional farmhouses with wooden facades. From here, the route heads south via Feldkirchen.

The last section runs through the Carinthian hills to Völkermarkt, the district capital in the Jauntal valley. The roads in this area are mostly well developed and less winding than the Nockalm section. Traffic increases south of Feldkirchen.

The Tour is a long-distance tour without a circuit. It is suitable for half a day to a full day of riding, depending on the number of stops. The best time of year is between the beginning of May and the end of October, depending on the opening times of the Nockalm road. Cooler temperatures are to be expected early in the morning at higher altitudes.