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Salvador Escriva CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Amusement Park

A toll mountain road through the Hohe Tauern leading toward Austria's Großglockner and the Pasterze Glacier, frequented by driving tourists and cyclists. Stops include viewing platforms, short alpine hikes and a visitor centre.

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Grossglockner High Alpine Road essentials

Address: Großglockner Hochalpenstraße (Grossglockner High Alpine Road), connects Bruck (Salzburg-side) to Heiligenblut (Carinthia), Austria
Website: grossglockner.at
Hours: Typically open May-October (weather dependent); closed in winter due to snow
Admission: Toll road fee varies by vehicle type (motorcycles, cars, buses); passenger cars approx. €36-€40 for day trip (seasonal pricing)
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About Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a paved mountain road in Austria that crosses the Hohe Tauern range and provides a direct high-elevation connection between states on either side. It was constructed in the early 20th century to open alpine areas to motor traffic and tourism.

Travel along the route covers approximately 48 kilometers of engineered mountain roadway with numerous hairpins, tunnels, and lookout points. Key stops include the Hochtor pass at the road’s highest crossing and the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe visitor complex with panoramic viewpoints toward the Grossglockner massif and nearby glaciers.

Construction began in the early 1930s and the road opened in the mid-1930s as a major infrastructure and tourism project for the region. It has since been maintained as a scenic toll road and cultural landmark through the Hohe Tauern.

Geographically the route runs through the Austrian Alps between the federal states of Salzburg and Carinthia, traversing national park landscape of the Hohe Tauern. The road forms a high alpine corridor linking valley towns and is accessed from major nearby towns at either end.

  • Access: Toll-operated scenic route with multiple designated viewing stops and small museums along the road; wheelchair access is limited at higher viewpoints.
  • Seasonality: Best driven in summer months when the road is open; snow closures are common in winter and shoulder seasons.

What to See#

  • Hochtor Pass: Sits at the road’s highest crossing with a memorial and viewpoints over the surrounding Hohe Tauern mountains at about 2,504 meters above sea level.
  • Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe: A major visitor complex offering exhibition panels, parking, and panoramic views toward the Pasterze Glacier and the Grossglockner massif, located near the Hochtor section of the route.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Visit between May and October when the road is open; late spring and early autumn offer fewer crowds.

Late Spring/Early Summer
May-Jun · 5-15°C
Road usually opens in May; fewer cars and fresh alpine colors.
Summer
Jul-Aug · 10-20°C
Warmest season and peak visitor numbers; clear views on many days.
Early Autumn
Sep-Oct · 0-15°C
Crisp air and autumnal colors; road often less busy but check opening dates before travel.

Weather & Climate near Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Climate

Grossglockner High Alpine Road's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 10°C. Abundant rainfall (1606 mm/year), wettest in July.

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-30°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -11° - -6° -16° 98 mm overcast 92% 6.3 m/s 0.1 low 8.8h
February Poor -12° - -6° -17° 91 mm overcast 93% 5.9 m/s 0.3 low 10.1h
March Poor -10° - -4° -14° 124 mm overcast 89% 5.8 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.8h
April Poor -7° - -2° -11° 135 mm overcast 82% 5.4 m/s 0.9 moderate 13.5h
May Poor -3° - 4° -4° 144 mm overcast 80% 4.9 m/s 1.2 high 14.9h
June Poor 1° - 7° 4° 165 mm overcast 80% 4.4 m/s 1.5 very high 15.7h
July Acceptable 3° - 10° 3° 180 mm partly cloudy 79% 4.3 m/s 1.6 very high 15.3h
August Acceptable 3° - 10° 4° 163 mm partly cloudy 81% 4.2 m/s 1.3 high 14.1h
September Poor 0° - 7° 0° 131 mm partly cloudy 84% 4.8 m/s 0.8 moderate 12.4h
October Poor -3° - 3° -5° 123 mm partly cloudy 86% 5.6 m/s 0.5 low 10.7h
November Poor -7° - -2° -11° 135 mm overcast 90% 5.9 m/s 0.2 low 9.2h
December Poor -10° - -5° -15° 117 mm overcast 90% 6.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The road connects Bruck an der Großglocknerstraße (north) with Heiligenblut (south). It is primarily driven by private car, motorcycle or by organized tour buses. Check official opening dates and toll rates before travel.

Tips for Visiting Grossglockner High Alpine Road

  • Drive early morning to enjoy fewer vehicles and the soft light on the alpine ridges.
  • Stop at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewpoint for classic Großglockner vistas - it's one of the road's must-see pullouts.
  • Be prepared for rapid weather changes and strong winds at higher passes; check the road status before departure.