How To Visit The Grossglockner High Alpine Road In Austria – Tips & Epic Viewpoints

Ready for a road trip that promises epic views and thrilling turns? Buckle up for the drive of a lifetime on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria!

This iconic route isn’t just a way to get from point A to point B—it’s a journey through some of the most spectacular alpine scenery you can imagine. Picture yourself cruising through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, with the majestic Grossglockner mountain looming in the backdrop, and every curve revealing another postcard-worthy view.

Whether you’re stopping to snap photos of the panoramic vistas, spotting wildlife, or just enjoying the high-altitude air, this road trip offers an unforgettable adventure that’s as grand as the landscapes it traverses.

So, rev up your engine, roll down the windows, and let’s hit the road to discover the awe-inspiring beauty of Austria’s highest mountain pass!

Quick Details about the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Fun Fact about the Grossglockner High Alpine Road In Austria

Here’s a fun fact about the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria: When it opened in 1935, it was a marvel of engineering and quickly became a magnet for tourists, but did you know it also played a unique role in automotive testing?

Many car manufacturers have used this challenging high-altitude road to test the endurance and performance of new vehicles. The road’s steep gradients, sharp turns, and varying weather conditions provide the perfect testing ground for braking systems, engine efficiency, and overall vehicle durability.

So next time you’re driving this scenic route, imagine the countless test vehicles that have zipped along the same path, putting their capabilities to the ultimate test amidst some of the most breathtaking scenery in Austria!

When can you drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is generally open to traffic from early May to early November, depending on weather conditions. The exact dates can vary as the road passes through high mountain terrain, which can be susceptible to late or early snowfalls. It’s typically closed during the winter months due to heavy snow, ice, and avalanche risks.

Before planning a trip specifically to drive this scenic route, it’s a good idea to check the current road conditions and opening times, as they can change based on the weather. The official website for the Grossglockner High Alpine Road usually provides up-to-date information and any relevant alerts for travelers.

💡 TIP – I highly recommend starting your visit in the early morning. Since this majestic road is one of the tourist hot spots in Austria it can get pretty busy throughout the day and some of the viewpoints have rather limited parking spots.

How Much does it cost to drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Ticket prices for the Grossglockner High Alpine Road depend entirely on which vehicle you want to use.

Below you can find the most common modes of transportation:

• Car – €43 (For an electric car you’ll pay €35.5, a hybrid counts as a regular car)
• Motorcycle – €33
• Motorhome – A motorhome up to 3500kg is charged the same amount as a regular car.

💡 TIP – If you’re staying the night at an accommodation along the road you do not have to pay extra at the exit point – even after a longer stay. Camping however is not permitted by the authorities along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and there are no approved camp sites in the direct vicinity of the road. 

💡 TIP 2– If you’re staying at an accommodation in the Hohe Tauern National Park you’ll have access to the NationalPark Sommercard. All guests who spend the night in one of the participating partner accommodations during their holiday – from four-star hotels to guesthouses and private rooms to organic farms – receive the Nationalpark SommerCard for the entire duration of their stay.
The card is also valid on the day of arrival and departure. The National Park SommerCard is available from 1 May to 31 October and incudes 1 daily attraction and mobility services.

Must Visit Stops along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Hochmais

This first epic viewpoint along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is immediately one of my favorites! Hochmais is an information point at 1,850m and from the small car park you have a good view of 
the Käfer and Ferleiten valleys , as well as the three thousand metre peaks of the Glockner group.

We took some cute family photos here with the help of our tripod and honestly, I think they turned out amazing! These days little moments like this can make me very very happy!

Edelweißspitze

The Edelweißspitze is the highest passable point of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and comes with a pretty big parking lot, a souvenir store and the incredible Edelweißhütte. Can you imagine waking up here and watching the sunrise over the mountains? Or sipping on a glass of red wine while admiring the sunset from their terrace. I sure can!

I think if I had to redo our Salzburg itinerary I would definitely opt to stay here for 1 night! But often those ideas only come once you arrive at a place :).

Fuscher Törl

The Fuscher Törl is a 2,428-metre-high mountain pass that connects Fusch an der Grossglocknerstraße and the other major pass of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the Hochtor. The beautiful spot runs around a summit and offers every visitor immaculate views of the Alpine mountain slopes. You are treated to the best view of Fuscher Torl when you are actually at Edelweiss Spitze.

Fuscher Lake

We came, we saw and we kept on driving. While I do think that this small lake can be absolutely gorgeous , it looked very sad during our visit. Due to the abnormal high temperatures of the past summer the water level was super low so all that was left was a large puddle.

Hochtor

The Hochtor tunnel, a 311m long tunnel which is located at 2,504 m above sea level, connects the states of Salzburg and Carinthia in Austria. If you want to take photos here I recommend stopping at the parking drop offs before the tunnel (if you’re coming from Salzburg). The views here are a lot more impressive compared to the other side.

Stauseeblick

One of the most beautiful places along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the Margaritzenstausee. From the Glocknerhaus Kärnten you’ll be treated to an incredible view over this turquoise lake. And while you’re at it you can also enjoy a delicious lunch here on their terrace! This is also a great starting point for one of the most beautiful hikes in Salzburg (more on that later!).

For more vantage points over the lake simply drive up the hairpin road to Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe.

Nassfeld Waterfall

The Nassfeld waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that requires less than 5 minutes walking from the main road. There’s a small parking lot and from there simply follow the gravel road leading to the waterfall. It’s a multi tier waterfall that cascades and leads into the Naßfeldspeicher.

Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

The final stop on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe where you’ll find both of the main attractions: Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner and the Pasterze Glacier, the biggest glacier that is still in existence in the East Alps.

There’s a huge paid parking lot available so you don’t have to worry about snatching one of the spots here!

From here you can visit the famous Pasterze Glacier, either through a hiking trail winding down the mountain or with the additional help from the Grossglockner Gletscherbahn. But to reach the glacier you’ll have to do some hiking anyway. So if you don’t plan on doing any additional hikes and if the weather permits I would highly recommend following the hiking trail.

Opening times – Open from June 23rd until probably September 8th (closed during bad weather)
Opening hours – From 10am to 6pm
Entrance fee – € 16,50

For current information please check the official Grossglockner Gletscherbahn website!

The best hiking trail on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Your hike starts with a beautiful descend towards the Margaritzenstausee, a turquoise lake with a view over Austria’s highest mountain, Grossglockner (3798 m).

You can hike in either direction but I highly recommend starting from Glocknerhaus Kärnten and go clockwise from there. This way the best views will all unfold in front of you!

After walking around the Margartitzen reservoir you’ll hike up and be greeted by an incredible view over the Sandersee and the Glacier Pasterze in the back.

You can continue hiking alongside the lake and river to get as close as possible to Glacier Pasterze.

💡 TIP – The last part of the trail is a lot busier cause this is where the Glacier Cableway can take you straight to the bottom.

Where to stay near the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The best base for discovering Hohe Tauern National Park is around the area of Mittersill. This way you’ll find yourself in the middle of all of the best attractions and you’ll be able to limit your daily driving time.

Budget I Hotel Flatscher in the small town of Stuhlfelden is a cosy 3 star hotel located right next to the main road. The rooms are clean, without a minibar or cooler and most of them come with a spacious balcony. Breakfast is included and dinner can be on request. We stayed here due to its ideal location for our Salzburg itinerary.

Midrange I Gut Sonnberghof is a 4 star hotel located in Mittersill, 25 km from Casino Kitzbühel, Gut Sonnberghof provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a shared lounge. Featuring a restaurant, the property also has a terrace, a sauna and a hammam.

Luxury I Hotel Schloss Mittersill is a superior 4 star hotel in Mittersill and a medieval castle with a unique, historic ambience. It offers views of the town of Mittersill and the Hohe Tauern Mountains. It is just a 5-minute drive from the Panoramabahn Cable Car and the Kitzbühel Alps Ski Area. All rooms at Schloss Mittersill are individually furnished and offer mountain views.

Tip for when traveling with kids

A fun idea to treat your kids after a day of adventuring might be the Wild & Adventure Park Ferleiten that you’ll find at the entrance of the Grossglockner near Fusch.

This wildlife park hosts over 200 animals from the Alps and the rest of the world. You can watch them all at very close range – no matter your age or visiting with a pram or in a wheelchair. The walkway through the park is easily accessible with wonderful views of the spectacular Hohe Tauern National Park.

Opening Hours – From 9am to 6pm
Entrance Fee – Adults €11, Children 4-14 year €6

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If you have any questions about how to visit Salzburg or if you want to share your experience, comment below!

More information on Salzburg region in Austria

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