Riding Grossglockner High Alpine Road leads through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, towards the highest peak in Austria, the Grossglockner. It is the most famous alpine road and the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. It connects Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Törl and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m (8,215 ft).

The panorama road is 48 kilometres long and includes 36 hair-pin bends. On the ascent to an altitude of 2,504 metres, you will drive through a unique mountain world.

How many kilometres is it / How long does it take to ride it?
This scenic route is 48 kilometres / 30 miles long and includes 36 hair-pin bends and can be driven for an hour not including stops.

Are there any accommodation or camping options along the way?
You can choose motorcycle friendly accommodations in the municipality/towns of Steiemark, Heiligenblut, Grödig, Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße and Iselsberg. If camping is your option, you can find campsites in the village of Fusch, Ötztal and Heiligenblut.

Interesting sights on the route?
The road leads to the Alps and Austria’s largest national park, Hohe Tauern National Park. The highlight of driving on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, without a doubt, is the viewpoint that the Habsburg emperor once visited himself. Today, a multi-storey car park, visitors’ centre, Wilhelm Swarovski Observation Tower and gastronomy are to be found up here, all of which offer unique views of the snow-covered Grossglockner, the 9 km glacial lobe Pasterze and the Johannisberg.

What is the best time of year to travel the route?
This driving road in the Eastern Alps can be crowded with tourists on a sunny summer day. It is best driven in late spring. In summer, if you are in the search for maximum driving pleasure and empty roads we recommend getting there early morning, even as early as 5 or 6 when it opens and you can avoid the busy tourist traffic.

Is the route ever closed over winter?
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Due to ice and snow, it closed for traffic for up to six months a year.

Where are people able to get fuel when they are riding the route?
There are a number of fuel stations outside the High Tauern National Park’s gates north or south. You can also find nearest petrol stations in the towns of Zell am See and St. Veit

Photo credit: Pixabay

Photo credit: Cristian Bortes / CC BY

Photo credit: Pixabay

Photo credit: Karlis Dambrans / CC BY

Photo credit: Pixabay

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