Fernpass closure on 1 August 2026: B179 and Hahntennjoch closed

Anyone wanting to travel over the Fernpass to Tyrol or further south on the holiday weekend should plan Saturday, 1 August 2026, especially carefully. On this day, the Fernpass road (B 179) will be closed for around two hours due to registered gatherings. At the same time, the Hahntennjoch road (L 246) cannot be used as an alternative route. The authorities expect heavy holiday traffic and explicitly advise avoiding the Fernpass route on this day by taking a wide detour.

The closure falls exactly at the start of the summer holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. This means a short full closure coincides with one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer. Traffic jams may already build up before and after the closure period. Anyone who absolutely needs to use the Fernpass should therefore plan alternative routes as early as possible.

What is being closed and when?

On Saturday, 1 August 2026, a closure of the B 179 Fernpass road applies to all traffic between 9:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Two sections are affected: in the Reutte district, the section near Reutte/Katzenberg (Außerfern side), and in the Imst district, the section near Nassereith/Rastland. Passing through the Fernpass to the north or south will not be possible during this period.

At the same time, the L 246 Hahntennjoch road will be closed to all traffic during the same period. This means the usual detour via the Hahntennjoch is not available. The aim of this measure is to protect villages and residents from additional diversion traffic and to safeguard the security of supply in the region.

Why is the closure happening?

The reason for the closures is registered gatherings of citizens' initiatives in the Reutte and Imst districts. Similar protest actions had already taken place along the Fernpass route at the end of June 2026. The authorities emphasize that such gatherings are assessed individually in each case and are guided by the case law of the Provincial Administrative Court. For 1 August, every effort will be made to prevent traffic chaos.

The timing is particularly critical: With the start of the school holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the authorities expect higher traffic volumes than during the closure at the end of June. While precise traffic jam forecasts are not possible, the recommendation from the district authorities of Reutte and Imst is nonetheless clear: avoid the Fernpass route on 1 August and take a wide detour around the closures.

Further driving bans in the Reutte district

In addition to the Fernpass and Hahntennjoch, driving bans for diversion traffic will apply in the Reutte district on 1 August. Affected roads include: the L 69 Reuttener Straße heading towards Pflach, the L 288 Pinswanger Straße heading towards Pflach, and the Heiterwang access road heading north.

Navigation systems often suggest seemingly short shortcuts through villages when closures occur. On this day, you should be especially critical of such suggestions. Diverting traffic through narrow valley roads burdens local residents and risks delays or checks.

Who is allowed to drive anyway?

The closures generally apply to all traffic. Emergency vehicles are exempt when responding to an incident. Residents along the Hahntennjoch road may use the L 246 even during the closure period. Important for holidaymakers in the region: between the two closure points on the B 179, the section around Zwischentoren remains passable. Journeys between Heiterwang and Biberwier, for example, remain possible. However, a complete north-south crossing via the Fernpass is not possible.

For travel to and from the Zugspitze region, the authorities recommend, among others, the route via the B 187 Ehrwalder Straße towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the L 21 Berwang-Namloser Straße towards the Lechtal.

Recommended detours for the travel Saturday

Even though the full closure lasts only just over two hours, the authorities and traffic reports recommend avoiding the Fernpass for the whole of 1 August if possible. Tailbacks may form before and after the closure as holiday traffic and the demonstration window coincide.

Suitable wide-ranging alternatives include:

the route via Rosenheim (A 93) – Kufstein/Kiefersfelden (A 12) – Innsbruck (A 13), the detour via the Achenpass (B 181), and, further west, the connection via Memmingen – Lindau – Rhine Valley Motorway (A 14) – Arlberg Expressway (S 16).

Which option makes sense depends on your starting point and destination. Build in time buffers, set off outside peak times if possible, and check current traffic reports before departure.

Anyone heading towards the Brenner or further into Italy should also keep an eye on the situation on the Inn Valley and Brenner motorways. You can find information on the route in our guide to the Brenner Motorway A13. For information on the region and the future Fernpass toll, see our article on the Fernpass.

What does this mean for your toll planning?

The Fernpass road itself is currently not a vignette route in the traditional motorway sense. However, as soon as you switch to motorways and expressways in Austria – such as the A 12, A 13, A 14 or S 16 – vehicles up to 3.5 t maximum permissible weight (technically permissible total mass excluding persons, field F.1) require a valid vignette. You can conveniently order the digital vignette via the 10-day vignette flat rate for Austria. If the maximum permissible weight is over 3.5 t, the vignette requirement no longer applies, and the distance-based toll with a GO-Box applies instead.

On special toll routes such as the Brenner, Tauern or Arlberg, the respective route toll (also known as a special toll) also applies. The vignette does not cover these sections. You can find an overview in the guide Toll in Austria as well as on route tolls and the associated special toll routes.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

With timely replanning, enough time buffer and up-to-date information from the state of Tyrol, you can get through the holiday traffic more relaxed on 1 August as well. If you have any questions about the digital vignette and tolls in Austria, you can reach us at any time by email.

FAQ: Fernpass closure on 1 August 2026

When is the Fernpass closed?

On Saturday, 1 August 2026, from 9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The areas affected are Reutte/Katzenberg and Nassereith/Rastland on the B 179.

Can the Hahntennjoch be used as a detour?

No. The L 246 Hahntennjoch road is also closed during the same period. Residents along the route and emergency vehicles are exempt.

Why do the authorities recommend avoiding the route all day?

Because the summer holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg begin on 1 August. Additional tailbacks are likely before and after the closure.

Will Zwischentoren remain accessible?

Yes. Between the closure points, the section around Zwischentoren remains passable, for example between Heiterwang and Biberwier. A complete north-south crossing via the Fernpass is nevertheless not possible.

Which detours are recommended?

Among others, via the A 93 / A 12 / A 13, via the Achenpass (B 181), or to the west via the A 14 / S 16. Use our route planner to plan your journey.