THE GROSSGLOCKNER HIGH ALPINE ROAD
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road with its 48 kilometres, 36 bends, 1694 meter high difference, a 9% average slope gradient and about a million visitors per year is said to be one of the most panoramic and famous routes of Austria. It leads through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, towards the highest peak in Austria, the Grossglockner (3798 m a.s.l ) and its glacier the Pasterze. The highest point of the mountain road is the Edelweissspitze located at 2571m a.s.l. Forecasts state that the Pasterze will be melted by the year 2050th. Beside a spectacular mountain view, mother nature lets you observe marmots and with a bit of luck maybe even an ibex will be close.
Useful tips:
– current opening hours, weather conditions (webcams) and the price list can be found at https://www.grossglockner.at/gg/en/pricesandopeninghours
– the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. It happens that when snow falls in the summer season, the road is temporarily closed or is only passable to vehicles with snow chains
– toll gates are located in Ferleiten and in Heiligenblut
– our guests get 12% discount for the day ticket of the road bought at the toll
– at the toll gates you can also buy a guide in English for a small fee, which contains beautiful photos of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and presents its history
– for motobikers we recommend buying a tour-ticket which includes a day ticket for the Grossglockner, Gerlos and Nockalm Road
– the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is free for cyclists. It is possible to take a shower near the toll gates and purchase accident insurance for a small fee. You can also take part in the time measurement from Ferleiten to Fuscher Törl for a price of 2 euro and receive the confirmation of your personal cycling time. In addition, the king of the Grossglockner (Glocknerkönig) race is held here every year, which is one of the most spectacular cycling races in Austria.
– next to the toll gates in Ferleiten there is an Alpine wild animal park and an amusement park for children called Wild & Erlebnis Park Ferleiten
– it is worth going to the viewing platform on the top of Edelweißspitze. Buses are not allowed to enter this section of the road
– already 3,500 years ago, the way was conquered by the Celts and Romans, who marked out trade routes here. The caravans delivered salt, spices, fabrics, precious metals and fur.
– the idea of building the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was born in 1922, and its construction under the supervision of an engineer Franz Wallack took 5 years. The purpose of constructing the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was creating a transit road, but it was also designed for tourist purposes. About 3,200 workers participated in the works.