Rossfeld Panoramastraße, DE

The Roßfeld Panorama Road, usually just called the Rossfeld Panoramastraße, is the highest continuous road in Germany. A toll ring road high above Berchtesgaden, open all year, with views of the Hoher Göll and across to Salzburg. For road cyclists it is above all one thing: short and brutally steep. Perhaps the finest wall of a climb Germany has to offer.

The Rossfeld Panorama Road at a glance

The classic ascent starts in Unterau and climbs about 1,046 metres over roughly 10.7 kilometres to the high point at a good 1,560 metres. An average of 9.4 percent, up to fifteen percent at its steepest. This is not a pass to roll up, it is work from the first hairpin. At the top the road runs as a ring, the summit stretch lies partly on Austrian soil, and the far side drops back down to Berchtesgaden.

The climb from Unterau

The Rossfeld takes no run-up. The very first kilometre out of Unterau already stands at around ten percent, and the climb stays in that range throughout, with no real flat. Eight to ten percent is the rule, no kilometre gives you anything for free.

The hardest third sits in the middle, roughly between kilometre six and eight, where the road rears up to eleven to thirteen percent. This is where it shows whether you paced it right. Only in the last one or two kilometres to the summit does the pressure ease, and then you are up top, with a panorama that makes you forget the pain fast.

History and the German Alpine Road

The Roßfeld Panorama Road was meant to be the crowning finish of the German Alpine Road. Construction began in 1938 but was only completed in the mid-1950s. At a maximum of 1,570 metres it is still the highest continuous road in Germany. The toll ring road runs over the Roßfeld, a northern spur of the Hoher Göll, between the Salzach valley to the east and the Schellenberg valley to the west.

For a long time the mountain made its sporting history on engines. Until 1970 the legendary Roßfeld hill climbs were held on a section of the road, races that in the 1960s even counted towards the Sports Car World Championship. Today that tradition lives on with classic cars. Ride up on a bike and you share the tarmac with a lot of racing history.

Practical tips

Unlike the big Alpine passes the Rossfeld is open all year, though it is still best ridden from spring to autumn. The road is a toll road, but free for cyclists. An early start pays off, with less car traffic up top and the best light over the mountains.

There is food down in Berchtesgaden and at the inns along the ring road. Because of the relentless steepness a low gear is worth its weight in gold here, momentum counts for nothing, gear choice is everything. If you fancy more, add the climb to the Kehlsteinhaus or a loop around the Königssee.

How does the Rossfeld stack up?

The Rossfeld is Germany’s answer to the steep walls of the Alps. It is shorter and lower than the big beasts, but on average steeper than the long Grossglockner over in Austria. It does not quite reach the sheer mercilessness of the Kitzbüheler Horn, but the mix of constant steepness, short distance and a huge panorama makes it one of the best climbs north of the Alps.

In mid-May 2020 we rode this road for the first time and were absolutely captivated by the many views along the way. The climb coming up from Unterau is fairly steep (9 to 10 percent on average) but bearable, and a genuine sporting challenge. Perhaps the best climb in Germany …

For us the Rossfeld is one of those climbs every fan of steep ramps has to ride once. If you want it on your wall, you will find it on our 100 Climbs posters.

How steep is the Rossfeld Panorama Road?

From Unterau the road climbs at 9.4 percent on average, with ramps of up to fifteen percent. There is no real flat on the good 10.7 kilometre ascent, the steepness is constant the whole way up.

Is the Rossfeld Panorama Road a toll road for cyclists?

No. The toll applies to cars and motorcycles, cyclists ride for free. The road is also open all year, unlike most of the high Alpine passes.

How high is the Rossfeld Panorama Road?

The high point sits at around 1,560 to 1,570 metres. That makes it the highest continuous road in Germany. The summit stretch already runs partly on Austrian territory.