Top 7 Mountain Passes around Maria Lankowitz

The region offers several passes with stunning views. The Gaberl Pass is known for its panoramic alpine views across the Gleinalpe, stretching as far as Slovenia on clear days. From the mountain station at Salzstiegl, you can enjoy views of the Seckauer Alps and Niedere Tauern. Almgraben also offers a pleasant route with scenic vistas.

Yes, both Gaberl Pass and Die Pack (Packsattel) have historical importance. The road over Gaberl Pass dates back to Roman times, serving as an ancient trade route. Die Pack was historically a crucial pass for postal services and trade, connecting the Lavanttal in Carinthia with Western Styria before the construction of the Südautobahn.

Salzstiegl is a versatile destination. In winter, it's a family-friendly ski area with slopes, lifts, and a 2-kilometer-long illuminated toboggan run. During warmer months, it transforms into an adventure park offering climbing, archery, bungee trampoline jumping, giant scooter downhill riding, and Austria's largest trial park for motorbikes. It's also a great starting point for hiking.

Gaberl Pass is popular for its scenic drives, especially among motorcyclists, due to its excellent asphalt and moderate curves. It's also a recreational hub for both summer and winter sports, including skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. The traditional Gaberlhaus inn offers a resting point, and young Lipizzaner horses spend their summers grazing in the alpine meadows here.

The Packsattel Pass (1200 m), also known as Die Pack, is a strategic route connecting the Lavanttal in Carinthia and Western Styria. It's recognized as a scenic route popular among motorcyclists and cyclists. At the Styria–Carinthia Border, located at Packsattel, you can find opportunities for further exploration into the surrounding natural landscape of the Packalpe mountain range.

Yes, several passes are popular with cyclists. The Packsattel Pass (1200 m) is a well-known cycle way. The Gaberl Pass road (B77) is also highly regarded by cyclists for its good asphalt and moderate curves. Almgraben offers a pleasant crossing with minimal traffic and a well-maintained road surface, making it suitable for cycling.

The mountain passes serve as excellent starting points for hiking. The North-South long-distance hiking trail crosses both Gaberl Pass and Die Pack. Salzstiegl also offers various hiking trails in its beautiful alpine landscape. For more detailed hiking routes, you can explore the Maria Lankowitz guide.

Absolutely! The region around Maria Lankowitz is well-suited for both mountain biking and gravel biking. You can find numerous routes, including challenging trails around Gaberl Pass and Salzstiegl. For specific routes and difficulty levels, check out the MTB Trails around Maria Lankowitz guide and the Gravel biking around Maria Lankowitz guide.

Salzstiegl is particularly family-friendly, offering a ski area with diverse options for all skill levels in winter, and an adventure park with activities like climbing, archery, and giant scooter downhill riding in summer. Many hiking trails around the passes are also suitable for families, depending on their difficulty.

The best time to visit depends on your preferred activities. For hiking, cycling, and enjoying the scenic drives, late spring to early autumn (May to October) offers pleasant weather. For winter sports like skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing at Salzstiegl or Gaberl, December to March is ideal, when snow conditions are reliable.

Traditional inns are available directly at some passes. The Gaberlhaus at Gaberl Pass offers accommodation and is a popular resting point. Similarly, the Moasterhaus at Salzstiegl provides accommodation and traditional Styrian cuisine. There are also various options in the nearby towns and villages around Maria Lankowitz.

The alpine meadows around Gaberl Pass are known for being the summer grazing grounds for young Lipizzaner horses from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Beyond this unique sight, the Stubalpe mountain range offers opportunities to observe various alpine flora and fauna typical of the Austrian Alps.