Gastein Valley
The Gastein Valley is a spectacular 40-kilometer alpine basin in the High Tauern mountains of Austria, famous for its grand "Belle Époque" architecture and healing thermal waters. The valley is geographically unique because it is "closed" at the southern end by the massive Tauern main chain; the only way through is via the Tauern Motorail train tunnel at Böckstein. This creates a dramatic, high-altitude cul-de-sac where the historic town of Bad Gastein sits perched on steep cliffs, centered around a world-famous waterfall that drops 341 meters through the heart of the village. For cyclists, the valley offers a mix of challenging climbs and scenic touring along the Alpe Adria Cycle Path. The journey typically begins with a steep ascent from Lend through the Klammstein Gorge, which serves as the valley’s northern gateway. Once inside, the terrain levels out into a well-paved, family-friendly route connecting Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein. However, the final stretch toward the end of the B167 involves a rigorous climb to Bad Gastein and Böckstein, rewarding riders with incredible mountain vistas.
Region: Salzburg
City: Unterberg
Distance: 24.71 km
Elevation Gain: 433 m
Elevation Loss: 47 m
Difficulty: 299 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.61 FIETS
Avg Grade: 1.59 %
Max cat climb: 2
Min elevation: 787 m
Max elevation: 1175 m
Ride Category: Hilly