Grossglockner
Mountain Austria's highest peak in the Hohe Tauern range
Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, attracts drivers along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, hikers on alpine trails and glacier watchers at Pasterze viewpoints for high-mountain scenery and alpine wildlife.
Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria at 3,798 metres and the dominant summit of the Hohe Tauern in the Central Eastern Alps.
The mountain is a major mountaineering objective with routes of varying difficulty; many visitors experience the massif and surrounding high-alpine landscape from roads and trail viewpoints rather than attempting the summit. The nearby Grossglockner High Alpine Road provides access to outlooks and visitor facilities close to the range.
Grossglockner sits within the Hohe Tauern mountain group, part of the Central Eastern Alps and inside the greater Hohe Tauern protected area. It occupies a prominent position in Austria’s high Alps and is approached from multiple valleys depending on route and season.
The massif is surrounded by glacial and alpine terrain and is commonly accessed from valley bases and the High Alpine Road for sightseeing, hiking and technical climbs.
- Elevation: At 3,798 metres above sea level it is Austria's highest peak and a principal objective for mountaineers in the Hohe Tauern range.
- Seasonal access: Most climbing and hiking access is seasonal and normally concentrated in the summer months when snow conditions permit safer travel on the normal routes.
What to See #
- Pasterze Glacier: The Pasterze Glacier lies on the northern flank of the massif and is the most prominent glacial body associated with the mountain, visible from the Grossglockner High Alpine Road viewpoints.
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road: The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a scenic mountain road that provides access to viewpoints and visitor facilities near the Hochtor pass, frequently used as the principal approach for non-technical visitors.
How to Get to Grossglockner #
Drive: Grossglockner is reached via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße), the toll mountain road that climbs into the Hohe Tauern. From the nearest major city, Salzburg, expect roughly a 1.5-2 hour drive (about 100-120 km) depending on the chosen approach; the road is accessed from valley towns such as Fusch or Bruck/Heiligenblut on the southern side.
Public transport: take ÖBB regional trains toward Zell am See / Bruck and then local buses or taxis up to the valley entrances of the High Alpine Road; once on the Hochalpenstraße you follow the surfaced toll road to the various parking areas and viewing points. Walking distances vary by parking area (short walks to viewpoints, longer alpine walks from summit parking).
Tips for Visiting Grossglockner #
- Drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road early in the morning (road opens seasonally, typically late May-October) and aim to be at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe soon after opening to catch clearer views of the Pasterze Glacier and avoid coach‑tour crowds that arrive later in the day.
- Use the official High Alpine Road route rather than side roads - there are pay toll gates and designated car parks at viewing points; parking at Kaiser‑Franz‑Josefs‑Höhe gives the most direct access to the main glacier viewpoints and the visitor information centre.
- Many visitors stop only at the main viewpoint; take the short marked trails from the main parking terraces up to the different platforms for varied perspectives of the glacier and mountain massif - these upper platforms are less crowded than the main viewing plaza.
Best Time to Visit Grossglockner #
Visit in summer (June-September) for the best access to roads and hiking; high‑alpine conditions remain cold year‑round.
Weather & Climate near Grossglockner #
Grossglockner's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -16°C to 2°C. Abundant rainfall (1755 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is freezing with highs of -11°C and lows of -15°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -12°C and lows of -16°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -15°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -12°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (140 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (168 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cold with highs of 2°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (158 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -8°C and lows of -11°C. Significant rainfall (152 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -14°C. Significant rainfall (153 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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