Alps & Tyrol 2026: Riding the Deutsche Alpenstrasse into Austria – Day 3
Day 3 – 412km
This was the day the trip really started to feel like an Alps and Tyrol motorcycle adventure.
We awoke to the lovely sound of church bells ringing in Sipplingen, with the sun streaming over Lake Constance. A pretty perfect way to start a day of riding through some of the most spectacular scenery in southern Germany and Austria.
After breakfast, it was time to get back on the bikes and head east along the Deutsche Alpenstrasse.
Riding the Deutsche Alpenstrasse
The Deutsche Alpenstrasse is one of those motorcycle routes that doesn't need much introduction. This scenic road follows the northern edge of the Alps, initially running close to the German and Swiss border before eventually taking us towards the German-Austrian border.
As we climbed higher, the scenery became absolutely breathtaking.
There was a little traffic here and there, but this isn't a road built for speed. It's built for beauty. The whole point is to slow down, take in the views and enjoy the incredible landscape unfolding around every corner.
And that's exactly what we were doing.
“This is What Biking Is All About”
At one point, someone commented over the bike-to-bike comms:
“If anyone asks why, this is what biking is all about.”
I've been grinning from ear to ear since then.
That's pretty much everything you want to hear when you're leading a motorcycle tour. It looks like my group is absolutely loving this route, and I can't blame them.
With the mountains, lakes, forests and sweeping roads surrounding us, this is exactly why we come to Europe to ride.
Coffee at Jochpass
Our next stop was Jochpass, sitting at just over 1,000 metres above sea level.
A coffee stop at this altitude, surrounded by mountain scenery, is a pretty good place to take five and appreciate where we are.
From there, we continued towards one of the most famous sights of the Bavarian Alps — the fairy-tale castles of Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Lunch with a view of Neuschwanstein? It would be rude not to!
Mount Wank and Into Austria
After lunch, we made another stop at the comically named Mount Wank, taking in the cable car before continuing our journey.
Eventually, we hooked off the Deutsche Alpenstrasse and crossed into Austria, where the riding became increasingly mountainous.
The route climbed towards Lake Achtensee, surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Austrian Alps.
From the lake, we descended on a sweeping road into the Tyrol region of Austria.
This was the kind of riding we'd been looking forward to since leaving the UK.
Through Alpbach Towards Söll
Unfortunately, we couldn't have everything our own way, and traffic slowed us down as we passed through the picturesque village of Alpbach.
Alpbach is supposedly the prettiest village in the world, and it's not hard to understand why. Traditional architecture, mountain scenery and an idyllic Alpine setting make it a spectacular place to ride through.
From Alpbach, we continued towards Söll, our destination for the evening.
A Traditional Gasthaus in the Tyrol
After another 412km, we finally reached our accommodation for the night.
We're staying in a traditional Gasthaus in the valley, which feels like a fitting way to finish the day.
From the shores of Lake Constance, across the Deutsche Alpenstrasse, through the Bavarian Alps and into Austria and Tyrol, today has delivered exactly what a European motorcycle tour should.
The group is riding well, the banter is flowing and, judging by the comments over the comms, everyone is loving the adventure.
Day 3 complete. 412km in the bag. And we're now properly into the Alps and Tyrol.
Tomorrow, we ride deeper into the mountains.
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