The Nockalmstrasse is a panoramic road stretching over about 35 kilometers between Innerkrems and Ebene Reichenau. Coming from the direction of Salzburg via the highway, take the exit at Rennweg, where the road is already signposted. If you’re in the vicinity of this road, make sure to visit! The climbing here is exceptionally beautiful… I initially thought the altitude and gradient wouldn’t be too challenging, but there are indeed some decent peaks, twice reaching above 2000 meters. Starting from the village of Innerkrems, it’s a direct ascent through toll gates, with hairpin bends immediately present. The road quality is excellent, and the initial climb to Eisenthalhohe is stunning. If you plan to cycle the entire route back and forth, it’s advisable to conserve your energy…
After Eisenthalhohe, it’s a swift descent, and then we head towards the second peak of the day. Here again, it’s a beautiful climb through numerous hairpin bends with magnificent views. Upon reaching the second peak, the descent towards Ebene Reichenau begins. This is a fairly long descent of about 10 kilometers, with the final stretch through the forest and again with many hairpin bends (a total of 54 hairpin bends between both toll gates, so 108 round trip). When I cycled here in mid-July, it was incredibly quiet, allowing speeds to exceed 80 kilometers per hour.
The return trip is a different story; when we ascend again via the toll gates on the other side, this section proves to be quite a climb. Steep, and with the sun against the mountain wall, it’s particularly challenging, unlike the previous climbs. However, it’s incredibly beautiful in terms of natural scenery. Unfortunately, I don’t have photos of this part of the climb, maybe next year. It becomes a struggle to maintain pace, and I’m relieved when I reach the top again. The reward follows in the beautiful descent, with only the climb to Eisenthalhohe remaining.
And back again, now on the other side of Eisenthalhohe, the final stretch.
However, this one turns out to be much easier, and once at the top, the descent towards Innerkrems begins. All in all, it’s a journey of almost four hours, so having provisions for the way is important. Again, if you’re anywhere near this stunning panoramic road, don’t hesitate to go there; this is one of my absolute favorites!