THE SCENT OF THE SOUTH This all-round, international tour runs across steep Alpine passes in the southern direction to the Italian province Udine. In the picturesque Carinthian sea area, the splendid views of Austria, Italy and Slovenia open from the Villach Alpine Road. 76 Those who resort from Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe to the 700-kilometres-long Alps- Adria-trail to Triest also wander through the Carnic Alps. The motto is “heading south” right at the beginning and so we follow the easy-to-drive turns of the federal road 107 in the direction of Lienz starting from Heiligenblut am Grossglockner. Yet this time we ignore the capital city of East Tyrol situated to the right after crossing the Iselberg and roll across the splendidly built tarmac on the federal road 100 along the Drau valley. A route like built for warming-up. And it is good that way. As behind Oberdrauburg 1 awaits the first of many curve-adventures of the day for us – Crossing the two passes Gailberg (981 m) and Plöcken (1,357 m). The beginners and experts can be equally happy as the entire route between Kötschach-Mauthen and Paluzza in the province Udine in Friuli Venezia Giulia is created in an utmost harmonic manner: Wide roads, neatly asphalted, moderate ascending and descending slopes, good overview, reduced traffic. As a result the bends can be taken smoothly. The mind has more time to appreciate the amazing views of the Carnic Alps. And you can already sniff the first southern scent. By the way: Those who are interested in history: the old displays from the Mountain warfare can be explored in the “open air museum 1915 – 1918” at the Plöcken pass. AN ALPINE CHALLENGE After the Plöckensattel we cross the national border to Italy and drive down to Paluzza, one of these typical little Italian towns.
The clear larch and spruce forest in the Dobratsch nature park offer a secure habitat for numerous wild animals. VILLACH ALPINE ROAD TOUR 4 77
