Is 4 nights enough to see central Austrian Alps?

The Zillertal is simply beautiful. The further into the valley (going south), the more dramatic the scenery. We stayed in Finkenberg in the Zillertal. Mayrhofen in the Zillertal has a large “cattle drive” in September.

Dolomites. The scenery is far more dramatic, in my opinion. Not like any other alpine country. We loved staying three times in La Villa at the Ciasa Montanara.

www.Montanara.it

Here you have nearly direct access to the best, most scenic drives over so many Dolomite Passes. Gardena pass, Sella pass, Campolongo Pass, Pordoi Pass, Falzarego Pass and Giau Pass.

In one afternoon we drove the Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo, a circle route starting and ending in La Villa. You’ll find areas to stop and walk and or hike among the top of the peaks. Plus there’s a cafe at the “top” of the Gardena and Sella passes. The Lagazuoi cable car is easy and quick to the top at the start of the Falzarego Pass. It normally runs into October.

In the Dolomites you’ll pretty much feel like you’re in Austria. Except for the limestone peaks and the fact while German is usally the primary language, signs are in two to three languages. German name, Italian name and Ladin name.

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-road-signs-on-a-mountain-road-in-front-of-sassolungo-mountain-val-25785261.html

Rainy day options can be Bolzano and Bressanonne. Both have very interesting museums, including the “Ice Man” in Bolzano. Both also have nice traffic free pedestrian zones.

Oh. Are you driving the Grossglockner to get to the Dolomites? You may want to spend a night in Heiligenblut at the southern end of this drive. Very quaint, small, picturesque village in the shadow of the Grossglockner, Austria tallest peak.

We loved our stay at:

https://www.ederhof-heiligenblut.at/de/

Thank you, Paul. How difficult was the drive along the Großglockner pass? I see from photos that the scenery is amazing, but worry about our ability to drive, esp. if it rains.

I felt very safe to be honest. In the rain? Well, that depends i guess on circumstances such as a light rain, pouring rain and so on. I honestly wouldn't want to drive it in a heavy rain. Light rain, I would be fine. Just a little slower and more careful.

I will say this, the Dolomite passes are as, or even more spectacular, and free!

If you drive from Kitzbühel to Wildschönau you will see some great Austrian farm houses with flowers hanging from the balconies, Glockentürme on the roofs, sitting in/on green mountain sides. I have never been to the Klamm you have noted, but the Kundler Klamm near Mühlthal was impressive. You can take the Bummelzug to get there. Lienz is one of my favorite places too, just because it's Lienz. Most sunshine in all of Austria.

Some folks ride their bikes up and down the well maintained two lane Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße along with other mountain roads in Tirol/Südtirol etc. Last time I drove it I think the toll was EUR 47. Nothing like the no guardrail, barely one lane, hair pin turn roads (hopefully paved) you can find throughout the Alps, if you get off the beaten path.

'If I am going to Italy, is a visit to Alpbach necessary?' - No. Pop in for a coffee and a quick walk around if you are close by, but don't go out of your way for it. In your previous post I mentioned that we stayed in Alpbach. At the time it was mainly a one street village. Many of the chalets were attractive, and the scenery and hiking from our accommodations were enjoyable. The reason we went there was because of an old article I read in National Geographic, saying it was named the prettiest village in the Tirol, or some such, a particular title given out yearly to a different village.

I found Zell am See to be an attractive place, and Kufstein is a worth a visit for its small old town and castle. There used to be river cruises leaving from Kufstein.

The Großglockner is safe at any time it is open, there is a resticted speed limit. If conditions become unsafe, the road closes down. Just make sure you dedicate a nice, clear day for it, more for the visuals than any safety concerns. Paul might be right about the roads in the Dolomite region. Our drive from Vipiteno to Merano was splendid. We stayed in Vipiteno, in the South Tirol. Close by is the splendid Reifenstein Castle, and Novacella Abbey lies just to the south. One day we spent in Merano, another day was spent mainly driving, with a stop-off at Castelrotto, then lunch about an hour or so east of that, before turning back and stopping off at Bressanonne.

I'll always have a crack at a gorge if close by, so I'd probably try all the ones you mentioned. I think we did Wolfsklamm, but not sure. Whatever it was, it was close to Alpbach.

While in the Kitzbuhel area, you could also check out Triassic Park in Waidring and St. Jakob's Kreuz in St. Jakob. Both are in the PillerseeTal just east of Kitzbuhel and offer terrific views of the surrounding mountains.

Also, the Krimml Waterfalls are south of Kitzbuhel and are worth a visit if the weather is nice.

From my point of view: I'd spend as much extra time in Kitzbühel as you can give to it. Unfortunately. I don't have specific recommendations; it's been 20+ years since my last visit to the area. One of the most beautiful places I've traveled to (throughout 40 years of travel). The hiking is wonderful. Have a great trip!