Pötschenpass | 993 METER | Bad Aussee Bad Goisern

The Pötschen Pass (often simply referred to as the Pötschen) can easily be included in a motorbike tour alongside the Koppen Pass. It is the year-round link between the Styrian Salzkammergut and Upper Austria.

The Pötschen Pass is a generous, dynamic and easy ride. The route is very well maintained, with a wide tarmac surface, and offers a pleasant riding rhythm.

The north-western approach, from Bad Goisern, climbs swiftly and with plenty of bends after Lake Hallstatt. You gain altitude quickly here, and it’s great fun to manoeuvre the motorbike through the long hairpin bends.

The south-eastern ramp, towards Bad Aussee, heading towards Ausseerland, is somewhat gentler but offers a magnificent panorama. You ride directly towards the imposing walls of the Totes Gebirge and the Loser.

Tips:

“Pötschenkehre” viewpoint: On the Upper Austrian side, there is a well-known car park in one of the hairpin bends. From there, you have an absolutely spectacular view down onto Lake Hallstatt, the mysterious Krippenstein and the majestic Dachstein massif. A perfect photo stop!

The pass summit (Pötschenhöhe): Once at the top, the provincial border marks the crossing. The landscape here changes noticeably from the rugged rocky terrain on the lake side to the idyllic, green plateau of the Ausseerland.

Want to plan motorbike tours here? Then use the “Alpenpässe-Atlas” tour planner. In addition to Alpine passes, POIs and hotels are listed here. Roadbooks and GPX data are available for pre-planned tours.