Austria's highest peak rises 3,798 meters above sea level, with the 8-kilometer Pasterze Glacier on its eastern slope. The High Alpine Road leads through 36 hairpin turns to scenic viewpoints.
At 3,798 meters, Großglockner dominates the Austrian Alps with its granite slopes and glacial terrain. From the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe platform, you'll watch golden eagles circle above the massive Pasterze Glacier. Along the 48-kilometer High Alpine Road, marmots whistle from their burrows as you navigate 36 hairpin turns through Alpine meadows, while the Edelweißspitze lookout at 2,571 meters reveals panoramic views of surrounding peaks.
Großglockner rises 3,798 meters between the Austrian states of Carinthia and Tyrol. The Pasterze, Austria's largest glacier, flows down the eastern slope for 8 kilometers, spanning 5 kilometers in width. On clear days, you can see up to 240 kilometers from the summit, taking in more than 30 peaks above 3,000 meters. The Hohe Tauern National Park protects the mountain and its surrounding ecosystem.
The 48-kilometer route between Fusch and Heiligenblut challenges drivers with 36 hairpin turns. You'll climb through four distinct plant zones, from valley meadows to glacial terrain. Stop at Edelweißspitze (2,571 meters) for the highest roadside viewpoint, or continue to Hochtor Pass (2,504 meters) where the main route crosses the Alpine divide. The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe platform at 2,369 meters puts you face-to-face with the Pasterze Glacier and Großglockner's summit.
Look for five signature Alpine species during your visit: ibex climbing steep rocky slopes, golden eagles hunting overhead, marmots darting between rocks, Apollo butterflies drifting through mountain flowers, and Alpine bumblebees working high-altitude blooms. Seven themed trails lead to specific wildlife habitats, each marked with information panels. The changing elevation creates distinct environments, from dense mountain forests to sparse high Alpine vegetation.
You can drive the High Alpine Road from early May through late October, weather conditions permitting. Each spring, Wallack rotary plows clear roughly 800,000 cubic meters of snow in about two weeks. Your day ticket includes entry to 15 exhibitions and multiple rest stops. The road opens daily during operating months, with quieter conditions before 9 AM.
Climbers have scaled Großglockner since 1800, with the normal route typically taking two days. You'll need to stay overnight at either the Stüdl-Hütte (2,801 meters) or Erzherzog Johann-Hütte (3,454 meters). Experienced climbers can take on the challenging Stüdlgrat route along the southwest ridge. For day trips, multiple marked trails start from parking areas along the High Alpine Road, ranging from 30-minute walks to full-day treks.
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