High Tauern

The High Tauern (Hohe Tauern) is a central chain of the Alps in Austria containing many of the country’s highest peaks, including the Grossglockner at 3,798 metres.

Alpine landscapes dominate - high peaks, glaciers, cirque valleys and mountain huts - and established trails and alpine passes provide access for hiking and mountaineering. The area includes long-distance trekking routes and scenic high-elevation roads that serve as viewpoints for the massif.

The range has been a natural barrier and corridor through the Eastern Alps for centuries; in the late 20th century large protected areas were established to conserve alpine ecosystems and glaciated landscapes.

Spanning parts of the Austrian federal states of Tyrol, Salzburg and Carinthia, the High Tauern lie in the central Eastern Alps and are reachable from nearby alpine towns such as Lienz, Zell am See and Mittersill.

• Highest Peak and Access: Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner, rises to 3,798 metres and is within the High Tauern region; alpine roads such as the Grossglockner High Alpine Road provide access to high-elevation viewpoints.

What to See #

• Major Massifs and Peaks: The Grossglockner Massif and Grossvenediger area contain Austria's highest summits, extensive glaciers and the principal high-alpine ridgelines of the range.
• National Park and Trails: The Hohe Tauern National Park protects large tracts of the range, with marked trails, alpine huts and seasonal visitor centres for hiking and wildlife viewing.