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Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Österreich - Things to Do in Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Things to Do in Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Österreich - Complete Travel Guide

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of Austria's most spectacular scenic drives, winding through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park. This engineering marvel stretches 48 kilometers through the Austrian Alps, connecting the provinces of Salzburg and Carinthia while offering breathtaking views of Austria's highest peak, Grossglockner (3,798m), and the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps, Pasterze Glacier. Built in the 1930s, this high alpine road reaches an elevation of 2,504 meters at its highest point and features 36 hairpin turns that challenge drivers while rewarding them with some of Europe's most stunning mountain vistas. The road passes through diverse alpine ecosystems, traditional mountain villages, and offers numerous viewpoints, visitor centers, and hiking trails that showcase the raw beauty of the Austrian Alps.

Top Things to Do in Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Drive the Complete Alpine Road

Experience the full 48-kilometer journey from Bruck to Heiligenblut, navigating 36 spectacular hairpin turns through changing landscapes. The drive typically takes 2-3 hours without stops, but most visitors spend a full day exploring the numerous viewpoints and attractions along the route. Each turn reveals new panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine valleys.

Booking Tip: The road is open from May to October (weather permitting) with a toll fee of approximately €37 for cars. Purchase tickets online for slight discounts and check weather conditions before departure. Early morning or late afternoon drives offer the best lighting for photography.

Visit Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

This famous viewpoint at 2,369 meters elevation offers the most iconic views of Grossglockner and Pasterze Glacier. The visitor center provides interactive exhibits about the region's geology, wildlife, and climate change impacts. Multiple viewing platforms and telescopes allow for detailed observation of the surrounding peaks and glacier formations.

Booking Tip: Parking can fill up quickly during peak season (July-August), so arrive early morning or after 4 PM. The visitor center charges €5 for adults. Dress warmly as temperatures can be 15-20°C cooler than in the valleys below.

Explore Alpine Hiking Trails

Numerous hiking trails branch off from the main road, ranging from easy nature walks to challenging mountain hikes. The Gamsgrube trail offers excellent marmot watching opportunities, while the Pasterze Glacier trail provides close-up glacier views. Most trails are well-marked and offer spectacular alpine scenery with diverse flora and fauna.

Booking Tip: Trails are accessible from May to October depending on snow conditions. Wear proper hiking boots and bring layers as weather can change rapidly. Consider hiring a local guide for challenging trails (€80-120 per group). Check trail conditions at visitor centers.

Wildlife and Marmot Watching

The Hohe Tauern National Park is home to diverse alpine wildlife including marmots, golden eagles, ibex, and chamois. The area around Edelweissspitze and various pullouts along the road offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Early morning and evening are the best times for spotting animals in their natural habitat.

Booking Tip: Bring binoculars and telephoto camera lens for best viewing experience. Wildlife guides are available for €60-90 per person for 3-4 hour tours. Visit during June-September for most active wildlife. Maintain safe distances and follow park guidelines.

Photography at Alpine Viewpoints

The road features over 20 designated viewpoints offering world-class photography opportunities of alpine landscapes, glaciers, and mountain peaks. Edelweissspitze viewpoint provides 360-degree panoramic views, while the Fuscher Törl offers dramatic glacier vistas. Each viewpoint is strategically positioned to capture different aspects of the alpine environment.

Booking Tip: Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) provides the most dramatic lighting but requires overnight stays in nearby accommodations. Tripods are essential for low-light conditions. Weather can change rapidly, so monitor forecasts and have backup shooting locations planned.

Getting There

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road can be accessed from two main entrances: the northern entrance near Bruck in Salzburg province, and the southern entrance at Heiligenblut in Carinthia. From Salzburg city, drive approximately 90 minutes south via A10 and B311 to reach Bruck. From Klagenfurt, take the A2 and B107 north for about 90 minutes to reach Heiligenblut. The nearest airports are Salzburg (100km) and Klagenfurt (80km). Public transportation to the road entrances is limited, making a rental car essential for this experience.

Getting Around

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is designed for private vehicles, with no public transportation operating along the route itself. The road is well-maintained but narrow in places, requiring careful driving especially around the 36 hairpin bends. Motorcycles and bicycles are permitted but require extra caution. Parking is available at all major viewpoints and attractions, though spaces fill quickly during peak season. The road is closed to traffic from November to April due to snow and avalanche conditions.

Where to Stay

Kaprun
Zell am See
Heiligenblut
Lienz
Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse
Bruck an der Grossglocknerstrasse

Food & Dining

Dining options along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road are limited to a few mountain huts and restaurants at key viewpoints, serving traditional Austrian alpine cuisine including hearty soups, schnitzel, and local specialties. The Restaurant Freiwandeck and Glocknerhaus offer spectacular mountain views with their meals. Most establishments operate only during the road's open season (May-October) and focus on warming, substantial dishes perfect after mountain activities. For more extensive dining options, visitors should plan meals in nearby towns like Kaprun, Zell am See, or Heiligenblut, which offer everything from traditional gasthofs to modern alpine cuisine restaurants.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Austria

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When to Visit

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open from early May to late October, with the best visiting conditions typically from June through September. July and August offer the warmest weather and longest daylight hours but also the heaviest crowds and highest accommodation prices. June and September provide excellent weather with fewer tourists and stunning alpine flower blooms or autumn colors respectively. Weather can be unpredictable at high altitude, so visitors should be prepared for sudden temperature drops and possible snow even in summer months.

Insider Tips

Purchase the Grossglockner Road toll ticket online in advance for a small discount and to skip ticket booth lines during peak season
Start your journey early morning (before 9 AM) to avoid crowds at popular viewpoints and have better chances of clear mountain views before afternoon clouds form
Pack warm clothing even in summer as temperatures at 2,500m elevation can be 15-20°C cooler than in the valleys, and weather conditions change rapidly in the mountains

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