Touring Center Austria (TCC2501)
Today we headed east, into the gentle hills of southern Styria, where vines are lost on the slopes like green waves. But first, a stop to visit a beautiful waterfall. Even the ancient Romans recognized the magic of this region - the taste of the grapes, a touch of history in every glass. The afternoon was full of fun on the bends: The Soboth Pass challenged us with every bend, a dance between asphalt and views Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
The morning begins gently - we glide along the Drau, its silvery ribbon accompanying us through the stillness of the beginning of the day. The landscape breathes peace, and with every kilometer our senses become more alert, our anticipation greater. Soon the Loibl Pass rises up in front of us - the gateway to Slovenia. Curve after curve, we wind our way through the wild, venerable Karawanken. We stop where the mountains whisper and time pauses for a moment. Just for a moment - enough to take in the majesty of nature. Then we are drawn onwards until we stand on the shores of Lake Bled. The water lies still as glass, framed by lush green slopes - a place that seems more like a painting than reality. We linger, breathe, marvel. But the road calls. Over the Predil Pass, we reach the Italian side of the Alps - a short hop across the border, and yet another step into a new picture. Finally, we return to Lake Wörthersee, where the day began. Three countries, one day, countless impressions. A journey that feels like a poem on wheels.
Day three begins with a moment of stillness on the shores of Lake Millstatt. The sun is only just kissing the surface of the water and for a moment we are tempted to just stay - a dip in the glistening blue, a day at the lake. But adventure is calling. Automotive history awaits us in Gmünd: In the Porsche Museum, we encounter 48 masterpieces on wheels - each body a chapter, each model a piece of the past with a bright future. Then we are drawn up into the Nockberge mountains. The Nockalm road winds in wide curves through the green high mountain landscape - up to the Eisentalhöhe at 2000 meters. The view up there almost takes our breath away, the world lies still at our feet. And once again we find it difficult to continue. The way back takes us through the heart of Carinthia - fast country roads to Feldkirchen, then narrow forest roads that demand concentration and are pure riding fun. The day ends with a final highlight: a sweeping view over the Klagenfurt basin, framed by the Karawanken mountains, which we crossed only yesterday. A day full of contrasts - gleaming steel, rolling hills, wild curves and tranquil expanses. Simply unforgettable.
Hidden away in one of the more remote corners of the Alps, a fascinating mountain world awaits us - rugged, pristine and not (yet) a hotspot for mass tourism. Only a few hikers, mountaineers - and adventurous motorcyclists like us - get lost here. Shortly after crossing the border into Italy, at Lago del Predil - an idyllic mountain lake surrounded by rocks and silence - we came across a dilapidated fortress from times gone by, with rusting guns standing there like memorials to history. A little further north, the route leads through Friuli, where we stopped for lunch at a mountain hut. After refreshments, Monte Zoncolan awaited us - a notorious climb with a narrow strip of asphalt that winds steeply through the mountains. It's hard to believe that racing cyclists regularly pedal up here in the Giro d'Italia when you conquer the hairpin bends on your own bike. Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse from midday onwards: thick rain clouds rolled in and we got drenched on the last few kilometers. Nevertheless, we didn't let it spoil our mood - and were rewarded with a delicious meal at our accommodation in the evening. Each course was more elaborately prepared than the last - a real highlight.
The day starts promisingly: the sun is in the sky early, a hearty breakfast by Lake Wörthersee provides the necessary energy - today is the final stage of our tour. Climb up one last time, feel the breeze and gather new impressions. First stop: the Pyramidenkogel. The futuristic observation tower offers a breathtaking panoramic view - from up here you can get an idea of our entire route over the last few days. We return to the valley with an adrenaline rush: 50 meters down a winding tube - the longest covered slide in Europe. No joke - it can make your stomach go on a rollercoaster. We make our next stopover in Maria Saal. The pilgrimage church there - impressively situated on a hill - seems to be completely draped in white today: A wedding is taking place. In order not to disturb the ceremony, we leave it at a brief look from the outside and continue on our way. Shortly before midday, things get exciting again - a nasty nail drills into one of our tires. But no need to panic: Tools out, puncture repair kit on, air in - it's working again. For a well-deserved break, we find shelter and hearty food below Hochosterwitz Castle. We review the morning in a rustic atmosphere - between rain showers and Carinthian delicacies. One last highlight brings us to the northernmost point of our route: Gurk Cathedral. Ornate on the inside, imposing on the outside - and in front of it, a small café serving ice Translated with DeepL.com (free version)