This is a fairly short climb in a beautiful setting that I stumbled upon during a training ride. Starting from Flachau, I rode via the Enns Cycle Path towards Eben. From Eben, you take the road towards Filzmoos. This is already worth it; a road that climbs gradually, and after Filzmoos, it becomes truly beautiful (and steeper!). Then, after a quite substantial climb along a straight road, you’ll catch sight of the Dachsteiner Glacier area. Stunning snow-capped peaks provide a truly magnificent view. Keep cycling because you can get even closer; well before Ramsau, you’ll find on the left side of a flat section of road the entrance to the Dachsteiner Strasse.
My attention was immediately drawn to the toll booths, indicating that there’s a beautiful stretch of asphalt ahead. The climb isn’t long, about 6.5 kilometers. It starts off steep, but soon levels out a bit as you enter the forest, allowing for a more relaxed ascent. There are also some hairpin bends, around fourteen of them in total. The view is stunning as you emerge from the forest and approach the final hairpin bends, with vistas of the Dachstein massif. The ’top’ is a bit of an anticlimax, just a large parking lot with a restaurant that seems out of place in this beautiful environment.
Don’t forget about the cattle grids on the descent; we need to brake at several points. The return journey via Filzmoos is mostly downhill, making for a smooth ride back to Flachau. All in all, it’s a trip of about 70 kilometers and highly recommended.
