Bypassing the Autobahn: Scenic Alpine Alternatives
Why the Austrian "Bundesstraße" networks offer a superior experience for the adventurous soul compared to the high-speed motorways.
The Austrian Autobahn is a marvel of engineering, but for the traveler who values the journey as much as the destination, it can feel like a concrete tunnel. In this guide, we explore the alternatives: the B-roads (Bundesstraßen) that wind through the heart of the Alps, offering vistas that the motorway bypasses. These routes aren't just beautiful; they are often free from the mandatory Vignette requirement, though they demand more time and technical skill.
Take the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. While it is technically a toll road itself, it serves as a spectacular alternative to the Tauern Motorway (A10). Climbing to 2,504 meters, it offers 36 hairpin bends and an ascent that takes you through multiple climatic zones. It's not about speed; it's about the connection to the landscape. Unlike the motorway, where the peaks are distant silhouettes, here you are amongst the glaciers.
Independent Alternative: B159 vs A10
Heading south from Salzburg towards Villach? Skip the A10 and follow the B159 through the Salzach Valley. You’ll pass through charming villages like Golling and Werfen, where the "Eisriesenwelt" (the world's largest ice cave) is just a short detour away. You save on the Tauern tunnel toll and gain a day of memories.
Another favorite is the Silvretta High Alpine Road in Vorarlberg. It connects the Montafon valley with the Paznaun valley in Tyrol. The 34 hairpin bends provide a masterclass in Alpine driving. For the driver in 2026, many of these secondary roads have been upgraded with better safety barriers and rest points, though they remain closed in peak winter months. Always check the "Passsperren" (pass closures) before departing.
Driving these alternatives requires a different mindset. Fuel consumption is higher due to the elevation changes, and brakes can overheat on long descents—use engine braking (lower gears) to manage your speed. But the reward is the authenticity of Austria: the small Gasthofs, the local mountain cheeses sold from roadside stalls, and the quiet of the high plateaus.