The Most Beautiful Lake-Circuit Motorcycle Rides in the Alps

Kurven & Knödel Blog

The Most Beautiful Lake-Circuit Motorcycle Rides in the Alps

30 years Kurven & Knödel in images

There are moments while riding a motorcycle that stay with you forever. You’re riding through a tight curve, the mountainside opens up, and there it is—a crystal-clear mountain lake, so turquoise and still that the surrounding peaks are perfectly reflected in its waters. It’s this combination of the thrill of the curves and the spectacle of nature that makes a biker’s heart race.

Es gibt Momente beim Motorradfahren, die sich für immer einbrennen. Ihr fahrt durch eine enge Kurve, die Bergflanke gibt den Blick frei, und da liegt er, ein kristallklarer Bergsee, so türkis und ruhig, dass sich die Gipfel ringsum perfekt darin spiegeln. Es ist diese Kombination aus Kurvenrausch und Naturschauspiel, die das Biker-Herz höherschlagen lässt.

The Alpine regions surrounding our “Kurven & Knödel” inns are blessed with some of Europe’s most spectacular mountain lakes. Here you’ll find not just individual photo spots, but complete lake loops that combine the best of both worlds: winding mountain roads and breathtaking water landscapes. These tours are perfect for those who want to unwind and relax, with the occasional adrenaline rush on the curves along the way.

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Reschen Pass Loop: From Tyrol's Most Famous Lake

Start: Landeck
Distance: 150 kilometers
Travel time: 4–5 hours, including stops
Highlights: Lake Reschen, Lake Haider, Gepatsch Reservoir

This tour takes you to the star among Alpine lakes, Lake Reschen, with its famous sunken church tower. From Landeck, the route heads up the Upper Inn Valley via Pfunds to the 1,504-meter-high Reschen Pass and on into the South Tyrolean Vinschgau Valley. Lake Reschen, at 1,498 meters, is a highlight not just because of its Netflix fame. The turquoise-blue water, the mystical church tower, and the surrounding mountains create a fairy-tale atmosphere. The road runs right along the lakeshore and offers perfect photo opportunities. Just a few kilometers to the south lies the smaller, but no less beautiful, Haidersee. Here, the world is even quieter, and you’ll often have the parking lots all to yourselves. 

The return route takes you through the Kaunertal Valley to the Gepatsch Reservoir, one of Austria’s largest reservoirs. The Kaunertal Glacier Road—which requires a toll—takes you up to an elevation of 2,750 meters, making it one of the highest roads in the Eastern Alps accessible by motorcycle.

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Großglockner Lakes Loop: High-Mountain Lakes of Superlative Beauty

Start: Kaprun or Zell am See
Distance: 160 kilometers
Travel time: 6-7 hours, including stops
Highlights: Mooserboden-Stauseen, Zeller See, Großglockner-Panorama

Experience one of the most spectacular lake tours in the Alps. The Kaprun high-altitude reservoirs, located at over 2,000 meters, are accessible only via a narrow, winding mountain road—an adventure in itself. The Mooserboden reservoirs, nestled between glaciers and 3,000-meter peaks, offer scenery that looks like it’s from another planet. The turquoise glacial water creates a dramatic contrast with the dark rock faces all around. The drive to the Kaprun Hochalm requires a toll, but it’s worth every euro.

The long loop takes you along the Großglockner High Alpine Road to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and back down into the valley. Back in Zell am See, Lake Zell awaits with a completely different atmosphere: a Mediterranean vibe, warm water, and the imposing Kitzsteinhorn as a backdrop. The lakeside road is a relaxing drive and offers plenty of opportunities for leisurely breaks.

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Achensee Circuit: The Fjord of the Alps

Start: Innsbruck
Distance: 140 kilometers
Travel time: 4–5 hours, including stops
Highlights: Achensee, Tegernsee, Sylvensteinsee

It’s no coincidence that Lake Achensee is called the “Fjord of the Alps.” The turquoise-blue water, framed by steep mountain slopes, truly resembles Norwegian fjords. The Achensee Federal Highway runs right along the shore and offers spectacular views. The drive is especially beautiful in the early morning, when the water is as smooth as glass and the mountains are reflected twice. The route continues on to Bavaria to Lake Tegernsee with its elegant atmosphere and finally to Lake Sylvenstein, a reservoir dramatically nestled in the mountainous landscape of the Bavarian Alps.

It is the combination of the calming qualities of water and the excitement of motorcycling that makes rides around lakes so special. The gentle lapping of the waves, the mirror-like surfaces, and the generally more relaxed roads along the shores create a meditative atmosphere.

At our “Kurven & Knödel” inns, you’ll not only find the perfect starting points for these lake tours, but also hosts who know every hidden gem in their region. They know when each lake is at its most beautiful, where the best photo spots are, and which places to stop for a bite to eat are worth visiting.

Ready for your next lake tour? The turquoise waters of the Alpine lakes and the winding mountain roads are waiting for you to discover them.