Landeck sits at the meeting of valleys in the Tyrolean Alps, where the Inn river swings from its long upper valley into a gorge and the Sanna comes tumbling down from the Arlberg side. At around 800 metres, it is a modest height for the Alps, but the mountains rise steeply on all sides, and the old castle on its rock above the town gives the place the look of a doorway. Burg Landeck dates from the thirteenth century and now houses a museum. The town has about 7,700 people, and the old centre is small, with painted houses and cafes.
Landeck has always been a crossroads. The Via Claudia Augusta, the Roman road from Italy to the Danube, came through over the Reschen Pass, and later salt, wine and cattle moved the same way. Today the roads from here lead in every direction: east along the Inn toward Innsbruck, south to the Reschen Pass and Italy, and west over the Arlberg to Vorarlberg. Zams, next door, has a cable car to the Venet, a peak with views over the valley, and a pilgrimage and hospital tradition going back to the nineteenth century.
For riders, Landeck is a perfect base. The Arlberg road, with its famous passes, climbs from St Anton, and the Flexen road beyond cuts through galleries and cliffs to Lech and Zürs, with views over a mountain basin. The Silvretta High Alpine Road, a toll road to the west, climbs to a reservoir and a pass of about 2,000 metres. Surfaces are generally excellent, and the bends are a joy, but high passes can close with snow from late autumn to late spring, and summer weekends bring heavy traffic and tour buses. Tyrol takes noise seriously, with restrictions for loud exhausts on some roads, so ride considerately.
Practically, Landeck has fuel stations, supermarkets and many guesthouses and restaurants. Tyrolean food includes Gröstl, a pan of potatoes and meat, Kaspressknödel, cheese dumplings in broth, and apple strudel. Parking is easy in the centre, though some bays require a ticket. If you plan a high pass, fill the tank here and bring warm layers, since temperatures drop sharply with height. Early morning light on the peaks is spectacular.