Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Austria, europe
48 km
2,504 m
moderate
June to September
# The Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Want to experience one of Europe's most thrilling drives? The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is basically Austria's crown jewel when it comes to alpine highways. This 48-kilometer ribbon of pavement connects Bruck in Salzburg province to the charming village of Heiligenblut in Carinthia, and it's absolutely wild.
Built between 1930 and 1935, this toll road climbs all the way up to 2,504 meters at the Edelweissspitze, where the views will literally take your breath away (partially from the altitude, partially from how stunning it is). You'll navigate 36 hair-raising hairpin bends that wind through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, giving you constant close-up glimpses of Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner at 3,798 meters, plus the dramatic Pasterze Glacier below.
Nearly a million people tackle this road every year, and honestly, it's easy to see why. The drive is considered a masterpiece of engineering, and while the road itself is well-maintained with decent lane widths, those switchbacks at altitude definitely demand your full attention. Don't miss the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe viewpoint—it's a detour worth every minute, serving up absolutely incredible panoramas of the glacier and surrounding mountains. Along the way, you'll find several stops with exhibits explaining the local alpine ecology, geology, and history. Respect the mountain, take your time, and prepare for one unforgettable ride.
Where is it?
Grossglockner High Alpine Road is located in Salzburg / Carinthia, Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.0764, 12.8427
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips
So here's the thing about this toll road – it's only open from May through October, so plan accordingly. If you can swing it, get there early in the day. You'll beat the crowds and actually get to enjoy the views without fighting for a spot or dealing with tons of people. Plus, the light's usually better too.
And definitely don't skip the side road up to Edelweissspitze if you're heading that way. It's a short detour to a summit viewpoint that's absolutely worth your time. Trust us on this one – the views from up there are something special, and it's one of those spots that people always wish they'd made time for.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Salzburg / Carinthia
- Length
- 48 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,504 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- June to September
- Coordinates
- 47.0764, 12.8427
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