How to get by car to Edelweissspitze, the highest passable point of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road?
Austria, europe
1.7 km
2,571 m
hard
Year-round
# Edelweißspitze: Austria's Alpine Crown Jewel
Perched at 2,571 meters (8,435 feet) in Salzburg, Austria, Edelweißspitze is one of those bucket-list mountain drives that delivers on every front. The summit isn't just a scenic pit stop—there's a proper mountain hut called the Edelweißhütte (built way back in 1935), a souvenir shop, and a parking lot for those who've made the climb.
The real magic happens at the top: you're rewarded with views of 37 peaks over 3,000 meters and 19 glaciers stretching across the landscape. Seriously spectacular.
As for the drive itself, it's a fully paved route branching off the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, though it's not your typical Sunday cruise. The 1.7-kilometer ascent packs in 175 meters of elevation gain, meaning you're looking at a steep 10.29% average gradient with plenty of hairpin turns and tight switchbacks to keep things interesting. The pavement is solid (with some concrete sections mixed in), but here's the catch: the road gets genuinely narrow toward the summit, especially on the final stretch. That's why caravans and vehicles over 3.5 tons are banned from the route.
Challenging? Maybe a bit. But nothing that'll send your heart racing—just respect the curves, take your time, and soak in those Alpine views.
Where is it?
How to get by car to Edelweissspitze, the highest passable point of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road? is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.2770, 12.6831
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 1.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,571 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.2770, 12.6831
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Valles Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Let's talk Valles Pass, perched high in the breathtaking Dolomites of northeastern Italy. Seriously, the scenery here is next-level gorgeous! You'll find this beauty straddling the border, with a little unpaved side trip heading north to even higher ground at 2,225m. This road, Strada Provinciale 81 (SP81), has some history, too – it was originally built to supply fortifications during the war. Clocking in at roughly, it stretches from Paneveggio (Trentino) in the west to Pie' Falcade (Belluno) in the east. Be ready for some climbing! On one side you'll climb with a steep gradient and on the other side you will do the same. Get ready for an unforgettable drive!
hardMontescuro Sila Pass
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo di Montescuro Sila Nestled in the stunning Calabria region of Southern Italy, Passo di Montescuro Sila sits at a pretty impressive 1,618 meters (5,308 feet) above sea level. This is one of those passes that'll really test your driving skills—and your car's engine! The route up is via Strada Provinciale 256, a paved road that sounds innocent enough until you hit those genuinely brutal steep sections. We're talking grades up to 14.5% here, so don't expect a leisurely cruise. Your knuckles might be white gripping that steering wheel, but that's half the fun, right? The pass connects some seriously scenic territory in Southern Italy's mountainous backbone. The twisting, winding nature of the road means every switchback reveals a new perspective of the landscape, making this a memorable drive for anyone who loves a proper mountain challenge. This isn't your typical highway—it's the kind of road that separates the casual drivers from those who actually enjoy the art of driving. Come prepared with decent brakes, a full tank, and respect for the elevation.
hardThe road to Großsee is a chillout in the high mountains of Austria
🇦🇹 Austria
Tucked high in the Austrian Alps, Großsee is a stunning mountain reservoir sitting at 2,481 meters (8,139 feet) above sea level in Carinthia's Spittal an der Drau district. If you're up for an adventure, the winding road to get there is absolutely worth the drive. Starting from Großkirchheim, you'll tackle 15.8 kilometers (9.81 miles) of pure alpine magic with an elevation gain of 1,459 meters. Built back in 1978, this road is a feat of engineering featuring 30 hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. Most of the route is paved asphalt, though you'll want to know that it peters out around 2,470 meters elevation—the final stretch becomes impassable thanks to massive boulders and heavy snow. Expect some seriously steep sections; the road hits grades up to 24% in places, with an average gradient of 9.23% throughout. It's no leisurely cruise, but the payoff is breathtaking high-altitude scenery that'll make every twist and turn worth it. Just come prepared for alpine conditions and be ready to turn back if weather or road conditions get dicey near the top.
hardThe breathtaking road to Col de Caron in the Massif de la Vanoise
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Caron Nestled in the French Alps at a jaw-dropping 2,996 meters (9,829 feet), Col de Caron is basically as high as roads get in Europe. You'll find this beast tucked away in Orelle, a small commune in the Savoie department, sitting pretty in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France. Here's where it gets wild: the entire 28.3-kilometer (17.58-mile) route is unpaved. This is the Val Thorens-Orelle road—a ski-lift service road that connects the upscale Val Thorens ski resort with the village of Orelle. The drive features a staggering 55 hairpin turns, and yes, they're all numbered and signed so you can tick them off like some kind of alpine bingo. Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. You'll need a 4x4 to even attempt it. The road clings to the side of the Massif de la Vanoise range, often running directly beneath the chairlift itself. The average gradient of 10.4% gets genuinely gnarly around the corners, where you're looking at 17-18% inclines that'll make your vehicle (and your nerves) work overtime. But the payoff? Absolutely stunning panoramic views of thousands of summits stretching across France, Switzerland, and Italy. It's the kind of scenery that makes every hairpin turn feel worth it. Only accessible during the summer months—realistically July and August—this remote alpine challenge is for serious drivers seeking something truly unforgettable.