Grossglockner – Austria’s highest mountain Road closed for winter until beginning May 2017 His majesty, the Grossglockner Austria’s highest mountain and centrepiece of the High Tauern National Park You can approach the Grossglockner in many different ways: it is the highest mountain of the Alpine Republic, one of the most striking elevations in the Eastern Alps and the summit of passion for many a mountaineer. The mountain is also home to people, numerous animals and rare plants. The Glockner is cloaked in secrecy, is the stuff of legend and has great attractive power. It is an obstacle on the path from north to south, yet a place where it has been overcome through the millennia. Join us and get to know his majesty, the Grossglockner, in his numerous aspects! The Grossglockner – Austria’s landmark The “black mountain” rises 3,798 m above a sea of three hundred 3,000 m peaks surrounding it. The view from its summit falls on the high alpine scenery all around, which was shaped millions of years ago by elemental forces and hasn’t stopped since.

Legend has it that a pitch-black crystal that concentrates the mountain’s energy – alluring, awe-inspiring and therapeutic at the same time – is hidden inside the Glockner. The greenstone core is surrounded by a mantle of schistous rock that gives the Glockner its black colour. The Grossglockner is upstream to the south of the main chain of the Alps located in the heart of Europe. Moreover, it is the centre of Austria’s largest national park and bears the weight of 180 km² of glacial ice on its shoulders. The Grossglockner glacier – allegedly perpetual ice The Grossglockner towers above the 9 km Pasterze, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps with an area of 18.5 km² measuring 275 m at its thickest point. While the Pasterze saw its widest recorded spread in 1850, the glacier retreats every year nowadays. Since 2014, the glacial lobe has melted by 2.5 km. Perpetual ice isn’t rigid or steady. Long-term recordings show the flow of the ice that’s pushing across the bedrock with tremendous weight and pressure.

Many European landscapes were formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. Coming face-to-face with the Pasterze, you get an idea of the mighty powers that came and still come into effect. The Grossglockner habitat – home to humans and animals The forests, slopes, meadows and rocky regions of the Grossglockner offer a unique habitat for a plurality of animals and plants in various climes. Ibexes, chamois and marmots can be seen in great numbers. Vultures and golden eagles circle high above the summits and dips. If you look closer, you might discover the rare Mountain Apollo, whose caterpillars exclusively feed on yellow mountain saxifrage near watercourse. Farming the steep hills is a special challenges for humans. The mountain hay, which contains countless precious herbs, is troublesomely transported into the valley. The young cattle enjoys 19 weeks of easy living on the lush mountain pastures in summer. Grossglockner and the Pasterze Glockner mountain water – waterfalls and gentle watercourse The water, which is bound high up the mountain in the ice, emerges on the hills in lower areas in the form of imposing waterfalls.

Unbelievable masses of water plunge into the valley, particularly when the snow melts in spring, supplying lakes and rivers. The pure drinking water is of the highest quality, but it also fulfils other purposes. It propels water mills by rapidly flowing streams and the hefty turbines of hydropower stations. By the way, staying near a waterfall is very healthy as the great number of negative air ions stimulate the immune system and have an alleviating and healing effect on asthmatic ailments. Glockner water is therefore an elixir in many different ways! The Grossglockner – home of the High Tauern National Park With an area of 1,800 km², Austria’s largest national park stretches across the provinces of Salzburg, Carinthia and Tyrol. It stretches for more than 100 km from east to west and over 40 km from north to south. The unspoiled scenery with valleys shaped by glaciers, alpine and high alpine areas, and ample larch, spruce and stone pine forests are dominated by the Grossglockner watching over its realm like a mighty giant.

The High Tauern National Park, a habitat for rare animals and plants and a recreational and economic space for humans, was founded in 1981. Nature in its core zone is left to its own devices. The park is home to more than three hundred 3,000 metre peaks, 342 glaciers with a total area of 130 km², and has 551 mountain lakes! Discover the mythical mountain and the unique landscape around the Grossglockner: walk to the foot of the almighty alpine summit on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Check out the opening hours and road charges now! Climbing Grossglockner (3797 m) – Austria’s Highest | Climb Big Mountains Climbing Grossglockner (3797 m) – Austria’s Highest Climbing Grossglockner (3797 m) – Austria’s Highest “The challenge, the sun, the infinite glaciers and the smell of snow all blend together into one very unique experience on this mountain so sacred to Austrians.” Prices Guide-client ratio: 1:3. For smaller groups, get our special offer.

Not included See more details under "Equipment and Info" CBM VIP price I think you should be a VIP member, coz it's cool. . Duration: 2 days “I’m heading out for a stroll this weekend” – is what you tell everyone at work. Just a few days later, you amuse curious and jealous eyes with incredible shots from Austria’s roof and attempt the impossible – which is: putting into words the feeling of the challenge, the sun, the infinite glaciers and the smell of snow all blending together into one very unique experience on this mountain so sacred to Austrians. You do not need mountaineering experience for this peak, but you should have adequate stamina and previous experience on via ferratas or climbing easy rock – just to make sure you don’t get nervous with heights… If you still have doubts about the successful climb, come with us and try yourself out on Grossvenediger , the 4th highest mountain in Austria. It’s more like trekking on a glacier, well, an “exhausting walk”, but you meet almost every difficulty you will have to face on the big brother. Your Guides September 23, 2017, Sat Further Info A really nice "first alpine peak".

It will get crowded on the weekends, so if you can, come on a weekday and ask us for a guide. If the "official" dates are not good for you, let us know. We are quite flexible. The dates between March-April-May are winter ascents, previous alpine experience is a must. Is this trip for you? Alpine trekking - up to 1200 m of vertical in a day on short trips Longer trips with high daily loads of 1000 m+ vertical Climbs involving 1000 m+ of vertical climbing above 4000 meters Same as Level 3 with the addition of speed as a must Climbs to summits over 6000 meters in altitude Technical difficulty grades Trekking on rocks or snow to 25 degrees steepness, no hands required Alpine Grade PD - 30-45 degree snow/firnice axe required, may have to use with hands, as you may meet UIAA Grade III rock.

Alpine grade AD: 40-55 degree slopes or UIAA grade-III rock "My feet are shaking!" Alpine grade D: 50-70 degree snow-walls or UIAA IV-V rock: serious stuff D graded climbs None of our package trips do this level, but you can request an expert to accompany you for your D or higher graded project. Culture shock grading As far as the cultural environment of your country/area of destination, we have set up grades to indicate what degree of culture shock you may expect. Your usual cultural environment, no big surprises in relation to Anglo/Saxon way of life A little different than what you are used to at home, but no big suprises Your trip is a cultural experience in itself, with amusing differences form what you're used to at home. This is a different world; you have to significantly alter your expectations and behaviour. Possibility of extreme culture shock; forget any rules you may have brought from home, life runs completely differently than what you can even dream up. Physical Difficulty Itinerary Opinion of a client from 2013 “I had real fears about my first climb.

But our guide considered not just his or the fast members’ pace, but ours (the slower ones’) as well. So we all reached the summit cross and got back safely but well worn out. And as soon as I got home, I started to plan my next trip to the Alps! :)” Day 1: Hiking to Erzherzog-Johann Hütte, 3451m Meeting is in the parking lot above Lücknerhaus. You are leaving your car at 2200 meters and need to tackle a vertical of 1250 meters to get to Erzherzog-Johann Hütte, the highest standing mountain hut in the country. This will take you about 5-6 hours. It’s a long way up and you will need to use your crampons to get there. The hut is a nice place to stay for the night and you can get used to the elevation. Day 2: Summiting Grossglockner, 3797m You have only 350 meters of vertical to tackle before standing on the peak, but still it’ll be an early rise around 6 AM.

Soon after leaving the hütte, you’re looking at a 40 degree snow/firn slope about 50-100 meters in length depending on conditions. After that, it’s easy rock. After easy rock, it’s tougher rock climbing but it won’t exceed Grade II. This means you don’t have to worry, there’s no experience needed; you’ve done this sort of stuff as a kid (yeah, yeah, that was a long time ago..). But, your guide will be belaying you, which will make you feel safe. You first ascend Kleinglockner and descend a bit lower to the saddle between Kleinglockner and Grossglockner, called Glocknerscharte. It’s quite exposed and – as a matter of fact – can be crowded. But no worries, you can avoid it with an early start. After crossing Scharte, you’re pretty much on Grade II rock all the way to the summit. Take some pics from the “roof of the country” and try to take in the views. The descent is the same way you came up. Walk back down to the parking lot.

On your way down, your mind involuntarily begins to plan your next ascent – on a 4000er. May we suggest Mont Blanc right away? You’re definitely fit for it after a successful summiting of Grossglockner. Equipment and Info Geography The Grossglockner (3798m) is the highest mountain of Austria. Part of the larger Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range, it lies on the border between the Austrian states of Carinthia and Tyrol. The Pasterze, Austria’s most extended glacier, is on the Grossglockner’s eastern slope. The normal route leads to the summit from two sides of the mountain: From Kals (and Heiligenblut.) Both starting points meet at the Adlersruhe, where the Erzherzog Johann Hut is located. This is the highest mountain Hut of Austria at an elevation 3450m. The region around the mountain has formed part of the Grossglockner-Pasterze special protected area within the High Tauern National Park. The view from the Grossglockner summit is one of the farthest of all mountains in the Eastern Alps.

It ranges out to 220 km or, taking account of atmospheric refraction, almost 240 km. Its view over more than 150,000 km2 of the earth’s surface reaches as far as the Upper Swabian Plateau in the northwest, to Regensburg and the peaks of the Bohemian Forest in the north, to Mt. Ortler in the west, to the Padan Plain in the south, and to Mt. Triglav and the Totes Gebirge range in the east. Weather In the Alps above 3000 meters, it’s hard to predict the temperatures even a few days ahead. Even in early summer, it can be as cold as -10 Celsius in the morning when you start out from the hut, and as hot as +10-13 on the glacier, with the glacier, which feels a lot hotter with the intensive sunshine penetrating the thinner atmosphere and reflecting back from the snow. If the weather forecast predicts a big, Europe-wide cold front with storms (i.e. no chance of being able to climb), then we cancel the trip and postpone it to a later date, agreed on by everyone.

Even if good weather is predicted, we can still run into a snowstorm and fog. For the sake of your safety and enjoyment, the guide will turn the group around on the summit bid. That means no summit. This is a decision you have to accept. There is no democracy on guided trips; the guide is responsible for the group’s safety, so he makes the calls. Strength, Stamina This is an introductory alpine climb and everyone leading a sporty lifestyle (i.e. exercising 3 times a week for at least an hour, working up a sweat) can manage the climb. You do not need mountaineering experience for this peak, but we recommend to have have previous experience on via ferratas/easy rock climb. If you want to increase your chances, you can climb with us on Grossvenediger, as a preparation climb. After the Grossvenediger climb (the 4th highest peak of Austria, and also one of the most popular easy 3000-er) you will be well acclimatised, and you will use your ice axe and crampons confidently on the Grossglockner.

There is hardly a better peak to get a real sense of mountaineering on than Grossglockner. However, it is important that you arrive well rested. Spending the night at almost 3000 meters can be uncomfortable. You may get a slight headache or experience minor stomach problems. If you come well rested and drink enough, your chances of getting worn out by altitude are smaller. If you experience any of these signs, let your guide know. He won’t give you pills or anything, but rather send you to sleep – by morning, you’ll be fine! Gaining altitude on the summit climb, you’ll most likely find yourself losing breath often. This is normal, don’t worry. About 3-5% of our clients get headaches or experience discomfort, but it usually doesn’t keep ’em from summiting. The Hut You’ll spend the night before the ascent in Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte – the very highest hut in the country with its 3451m elevation. The food is great. (The price includes ONLY breakfast, but you can order warm dinner for your comfort. The dinner cost around 20€).

So is the beer and the wine, but it gets a bit expensive at this altitude. You’ll be staying in rooms that accommodate 6-10 climbers and sleep in bunk beds, which is your usual setting in huts in the Alps. you need to bring sandwiches/energy bars/candy bars for the climb bring a 1.5 liter bottle – you can fill it on the way and also in the hut you can buy warm food and drinks in the huts you need to bring sandwiches/energy bars/candy bars for the climb bring a 1.5 litre bottle. you can fill it on the way The hut in the season is very busy. So if you want to go for sure, make your reservation at least 2 months in advance, otherwise we cannot guarantee the accommodation for you in Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte. In this case we will suggest another date or an other hut to stay. Equipment Price includes equipment hire, so you need not worry about technical gear. Of course, you may bring your own gear if you prefer, but regrettably, we can’t discount the price of the trip, should you bring your own mountaineering gear.

What you do need to bring is good climbing boots broken in, so they won’t hurt your feet. Here is a list that may be helpful to get yourself organised before the trip: underclothing waterproof pants – make sure you treat them with water-repellent prior to your trip waterproof jacket/softshell – make sure you treat it with water-repellent prior to your trip climbing pants suncream (min. factor 30) and lip balm sticks sunglasses light and thin sleeping bag liner for huts climbing boots The Three Layers – A Climber’s Gear Guide Your Guides CBM's mountain guides have to meet serious professional and personal requirements before they can join our team. Their professional skills are measured according to an objective system of criteria. For climbing trips in the Alps, our guides must hold a valid IFMGA/UIAGM certification. Of course, we don't want you to be in uncool company, so we only work with guides we're happy to be around ourselves. Your CBM guide will know when to be empathic and when to give you a needed kick in the butt to make the most out of your trip. :) About Us ClimbBigMountains, proudly built and managed out of Budapest is an insured and licensed Travel Agency.

We're regulated internationally by the MKEH , which works under the supervision and along the lines of the European Union's Supervisory Body for Travel agents ( the ECTAA ) and regulates the hell out of the industry to make sure your booking is safe and insured. Read more about us and check our fascinating Terms and Conditions . Grossglockner 3,798 meters! The highest Mountain in Austria! 2001 Trip Reports! We could see the summit of the Grossglockner, 3798 meters, from the trailhead at the Lucknerhaus above the little village of Kals. There were many cars at the trailhead and even a couple busses full of seniors out for a hike through the beautiful green alm to one of the Huettes for the day. Doerte and I were anxious to get on the mountain since the weather had finally cleared. The trail wastes no time in ascending the huge green alpine valley to the Lucknerhuette. It was a challenge staying ahead of the fastest seniors. They were not just out for a stroll, but a four- hour, 1000-meter hike up to the Huette for soup, beer, and cheer.

I hope I can be in as good a shape when I am in that group. Mike and Doerte at the Stuedlhuette, 2801 meters. The is a beautiful, brand new huette. By noon we reached the new Stuedlhuette located on the ridge between two valleys, at 2801 meters. The views up to the Glaciers, the view way down to the lush valleys, and the sound of rushing water was almost too much for the senses to handle. Doerte and I never tired of the views. We rested for our summit attempt in the morning. The clouds increased as the day wore on. Climbers began to return to the Huette. As many as thirty climbers attempted the summit and all but the late starters made it. At the summit visibility was very limited and the winds were high. The climbers reported the route in good shape. Mike taking a break on the way to the Stuedlhuette. This is the most blue sky we saw the entire two weeks. This is about snowline, at 2,000 meters.

The "Ordinary Route" (eastern ascent) to the summit involves a crossing of the Kodnitzkees Glacier, and some fifth class rock to get to the Adlersruhe Huette, 3434 meters. From there it is another two hours across the Glocknerleitl Glacier to the Kleinglockner, 3783 meters, then down and over to the Gross Glockner, 3793 meters, the highest mountain in Austria. The Grossglockner compares in scope and difficulty to Mount Rainier. High elevation, glacial travel, and some technical rock thrown in to the mix. One famous route, the Pallavicinirinne, goes straight up the mountain at 55 degrees. There are over routes that lead to the summit of the Grossglockner. The Grossglockner summit was first reached on July 28, 1800 by the brothers Klotz, and some carpenters which were part of an expedition of 62 people who left from Heiligenblut. The expedition included the Brothers Klotz as leaders, as well as a priest, porters, carpenters, botanists, and students.

The Stuedlhuette with the Grossglockner out of sight, high above. On these days in September, this was all under a meter of snow! As usual we had the mountain climbers dinner, Bergsteigeressen. This is only offered to members of the Austrian Alpine Club. Doerte and I are members, United Kingdom branch. We met six climbers who had just summited. They made many toasts with liter beers, had rounds of shots, and sang many songs as pretty as any barbershop quartet. They were all from the city of Wolfsburg, former employees of Volkswagen, and all about 70 years of age. Certainly the badest climbers on the mountain! In the meantime the twenty somethings were fast asleep in their chairs. Doerte and I arranged to have our Teewasser at 7 am so we could get an early start up to the Adlersruhe Huette. The sun did not rise, but it gradually got light. The visibility was almost zero. No one else was going up the mountain, only down! We put on our winter gear, and started up the faint route to the glacier.

At the glacier we roped up and continued through the whiteout and new snow toward the Adlersruhe Huette. I could hardly see Doerte 15 meters ahead at the end of the rope! There was a foot of new snow, but we could still make out the route. Wands would have been a nice touch. What does it look like to be in a whiteout? I had to reel the rope in to even see Doerte! Halfway across the glacier and an hour below the Adlersruhe Huette we decided to turn around. The conditions were only getting worse. There were no other parties on the glacier! Back at the Stuedlhuette employees were glad we abandoned our summit attempt. There was no else at the Huette. Doerte and I were a day late. We hiked back down through the snow and rain to the car. The trailhead was deserted. Evidently, most people wit until a weather window appears. This is what we have always done on Mount Rainier for example. The summit that eluded us on this trip! A big cross rests on the summit of the Grossglockner, 3798 meters!

Still, the Gross Glockner is a stunning, big mountain, offering incredible views from all high routes. There are many mountains in the area over 3,000 meters. Sonnenwelleck, 3,261m, Johannisberg, 3,460m, and Fuscherkarkopf, 3,331m, and others would all be fantastic, worthy destinations in the Austrian Alps. You can order Grand Canyon books and other hiking guides from: This website is a photographic and descriptive resource of routes and climbs, not a hiking guide. By using this site the viewer releases the creator from any and all liability. Hiking/climbing is a potentially dangerous activity and requires proper equipment, skill, experience, preparedness and awareness at all times. All contents of all pages � copywrite 1997 - 2002 by Mike Mahanay, All Rights Reserved Do you have any off trail stories or descriptions you would like to add? Do you have any questions, comments, or corrections?

If so, drop me a Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Salzburg, Austria Order Grossglockner High-Alpine Road The Grossglockner High Alpine Road makes Austria’s highest mountain accessible for everyone. The famous alpine road leads you right into the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, the Grossglockner and its glacier, the Pasterze. At 12,460 feet, the pyramid-shaped Grossglockner is not only the highest mountain in Austria, it also counts among the highest peaks in the Alps. It is the epitome of an impressive natural experience! Drive up to the base of the mountain, the Kaiser-Franz Josephs Höhe, and you literally feel the size and power of these majestic peaks, the massive glaciers and the elemental force of nature. Start your adventure in Heiligenblut, a picturesque little village with its picture-perfect Gothic pilgrimage church. As you wind your way up the 30-mile long road, you find that with each bend, the views become more enticing. Stop at one of the multiple lookout-points to take pictures of this unique world of blossoming alpine meadows, fragrant mountain forests, massive cliffs and glaciers.

On your way to the top, you’ll pass through all vegetation zones, from cornfields in the valley to the eternal ice. At 8,200 feet, you will have reached the foot of the Grossglockner, the “Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe”, from where you can explore various hiking routes: Take a 30-minute walk directly to the massive Pasterze glacier on a safe, well-marked trail, or take part in one of the guided tours with a national park ranger. If you choose to continue your drive over the mountain pass to Salzburg, you’ll find yourself following ancient trails. Finds like pre-Celtic bronze knives, Celtic gold jewelry, a Roman Hercules statue, and medieval pack-animal bridles are proof that this road was already well traveled 200 years B.C. Until the highpoint of trade in the 17th century, the Hochtor was the third most important trade route over the eastern Alps.

Grossglockner High-Alpine Road Grossglockner High Alpine Road © Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse- Naturerlebnis-(4)--grossglockner.at © grossglockner.at weg fuscher toerl grossglockner hochalpenstrasse © Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse Gletscherstrasse Grossglockner © grossglockner.at auffahrt gletscherstrasse mit blick auf grossglockner grossglockner © Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse Grossglockner High Alpine Road © grossglockner.at Grossglockner High Alpine Road © Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse- Naturerlebnis-(4)--grossglockner.at © grossglockner.at weg fuscher toerl grossglockner hochalpenstrasse © Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse Gletscherstrasse Grossglockner © grossglockner.at auffahrt gletscherstrasse mit blick auf grossglockner grossglockner © Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse

 Grossglockner High Alpine Road © grossglockner.at Tirol X Großglockner – Austria’s highest mountain The Großglockner – it’s the highest mountain in Austria and certainly the most beautiful too!

The dream of every mountain enthusiast is once in a lifetime to stand next to the magnificent, gold adorned summit-cross. Slideshow Info on the mountain tour: Tip: We recommend making the ascent of the Großglockner in the company of a certified mountain guide – best would be to book our TauernAlpine Großglockner package! Starting place: Glockner House (2,121 m) on the Großglockner High Alpine Road. Walking time: 2 days Grossglockner, on the top of the highest Austrian mountain. Ascent of Mt Grossglockner On the top of Grossglockner The Grossglockner (3798 m), the highest peak in Austria, is just two hours drive from Cortina on the border between Carinthia and the Tyrol. Grossglockner The view is magnificent and, climbing the normal route, it is the last section which is the most thrilling, the brief but exposed linking ridge between the Gross- and Kleinglockners and the section near the Palavicini gully which drops vertically from the north face of the massif. Climbing this imposing mountain takes us to a very different environment from that of the Dolomites.

Here we’ll be climbing on glaciers and granite on the normal route or the more challenging Via Stüdlgrat (SW-Grat). The climb is not a difficult one but as the mountain is an “almost 4000 meters” one, good physical fitness is required. We will leave in the morning from Cortina for Kals (approx. 2 hrs). From the car park (1930m) we climb to Stüdl-Hütte refuge (2801m) or Erzherzog Johann-Hütte (3454m) depending on the route chosen for the climb. After sleeping overnight in the mountain hut we leave at dawn and climb to the summit. We then descend and return to Cortina. Period: two days – one night Difficulty: medium Costo: 560 Euros one person – 680 Euros two people Note: Prices include the services of an Alpine guide and general organisation costs. Unless otherwise indicated ski lifts and board and lodging together with your Alpine Guide’s expenses (board and lodging if you are spending the night in a refuge) are not included and are to be divided up between participants.

Ascent of Mt Grossglockner ultima modifica: 2014-02-18T18:41:47+00:00 da Enrico Maioni Outdoor X Großglockner – Austria’s highest mountain The Großglockner – it’s the highest mountain in Austria and certainly the most beautiful too! The dream of every mountain enthusiast is once in a lifetime to stand next to the magnificent, gold adorned summit-cross. Slideshow Info on the mountain tour: Tip: We recommend making the ascent of the Großglockner in the company of a certified mountain guide – best would be to book our TauernAlpine Großglockner package! Starting place: Glockner House (2,121 m) on the Großglockner High Alpine Road. Walking time: 2 days Austria’s highest mountain: Grossglockner history The history of the Grossglockner Acing the summit on Austria’s highest mountain The Grossglockner: a destination for mountaineers for more than 60 years Historic finds prove than humans crossed the Alps 5,000 years ago.

Trade and the search for gold, minerals and new paths from north to south attracted people across the mountain passes. Legends and myths surrounded the heights populated ghosts and witches. One was well advised to beg the gods for a safe journey. The beginning of the Enlightenment in the 18th century replaced fear with curiosity: researchers and natural scientists alike now wanted to discover, measure and understand this unknown world. Lacking maps, marked rope routes, protective huts, suitable equipment or even experienced mountain guides, bold men and women embarked set out to the mountains. They were eventually followed by alpinists. History of the first ascent of Austria’s highest mountain The driving factor behind the newly awakened natural study interest wasn’t just the European dynasties, but also the high clergy, which had the appropriate education and sufficient financial means. It hardly comes as a surprise that the Carinthian archbishop Franz Xaver Graf von Salm-Reifferscheid tackled the first ascent of the Grossglockner. The construction of the Salmhütte at an altitude of 2,644 m as a base was an important step for the gradual ascent. After the first expedition had failed due to heavy snowfall, the second attempt proved successful.

Five mountaineers reached the summit of the Grossglockner via the Adlersruhe on 28 July 1800 and planted a summit cross. The first ascent in winter came as late as 1953. Measuring the Grossglockner – the benefits for science Archbishop Graf von Salm-Reifferscheid celebrated the conquering of the Glockner summit with the expedition participants with a truly royal meal at the hut in the Laitertal. The benefits for science was another cause for celebration. The summit was measured geographically and in height resulting in a deviation of a few metres since the Adriatic Sea didn’t have a zero-point. Serial tests with snowmelts, boiling points of the water, air humidity, and pulse and breath rates provided new findings. A barometer was placed next to the summit cross, which provided data for the next 52 years. The total costs of the first ascent of Austria’s highest mountain may have amounted to at least 50,000 Euros. Name giver on the Grossglockner: Margrave Pallavicini and Emperor Franz Josef Gradually, the sporting challenged joined the natural scientific interest in the spotlight.

Furthermore, the romantic mountains proved to have an alluring effect on countless townspeople. The construction of the Glocknerhaus by the Alpine Club greatly shortened the ascent to the summit. Alternative summit ascent routes were sought out. Margrave Alfred Pallavicini ascended the ice gorge named after him from the Pasterze. When he tried to ascend the Glocknerwand in June 1886, he tragically lost his life. Emperor Franz Josef tarried in Heiligenblut in 1856. He hiked up to a lift above the Pasterze, which bears his name today. Empress Elisabeth was content with riding to the Elisabethruhe named after her. Mountaineering and mountain guides on the highest mountain in the Eastern Alps Interest in the Grossglockner consistently grew after its first ascent and the conquest of further important alpine summits in Europe. The Erste Ostalpine Bergführerverein (Eng. “First Mountain Guide Association of the Eastern Alps”) was founded in 1869; Heiligenblut’s mountain guide association followed a year later. There was already a mountain guide bureau in Kals in Eastern Tyrol in 1877.

To this day, the route from Kals via the Stüdlhütte up to the Adlersruhe is the easiest and most used. The 3,444 m Adlersruhe, where the Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte is located, is the starting point for Glockner ascents via the Kleinglockner and the Glocknergrat. After a usually short night, the first mountaineers leave before sunrise in order to experience Austria’s highest mountain at first light. Conquer the Grossglockner and the Pasterze without the exertion of a strenuous ascent: drive from Heiligenblut or Fusch-Ferleiten on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and enjoy a view beyond compare! Find out everything you need to know about road prices, discounts and opening hours here. Großglockner Hochalpenstraße : Panorama Road Großglockner Großglockner Hochalpenstraße: Austria′s highest Road in the Alps Großglockner Hochalpenstraße is the road leading to the highest mountain of Austria , Mount Großglockner.

It is among the most popular tourist destinations of the country and attracts ten thousands of visitors every year. Only Schloss Schönbrunn , the Imperial summer palace in Vienna is more popular measured by the amount of visitors it attracts. The Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Road is the highest road of Austria and runs through one of Austria′s most scenic Alpine landscapes. The name-giving peak is 3798 metres high and comes with an attached glacier called "Pasterze". Impressions from the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße To make things even better, the Großglockner is not only the highest mountain of Austria, but probably also the easiest to access - at least of those mountains that are higher than 3000 metres ("Dreitausender"). The Hochalpenstraße Road (meaning "high Alpine road") takes thousands of busses, cars and motorbikes up to alpine terrain - in altitudes that have to be attacked with excessive hiking activities elsewhere. The scenery of the road and its surroundings is sheer beauty: here you will find the stereotypical images of dramatic mountain ranges, cows and glaciers reaching out towards the valley.

No wonder that this classic road is considered to be a legendary route for all sorts of vehicle-aficionados, particularly bikers. The Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Road was constructed between 1930 and 1935. The main ideas were to fight the unemployment that was a very serious problem in the years of the depression, and to boost tourism. This was particularly important for the region: Skiing tourism wasn′t the well-developed industry that it is today and the entire region of Southern Salzburg had sparse grounds to offer to agriculture and an underdeveloped infrastructure for the few towns and villages. It was mostly due to the Landeshauptmann (governor) Franz Rehrl and some other mad visionaries that the project was started. Rehrl is still seen as a father of the province type of figure by many conservatives not only in Salzburg. Alps: Among the Best Things to See in Austria The Großglockner Hochalpenstraße runs in within the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern , and you could be lucky enough to observe a herd of ibex, chamois or more likely marmots at the Franz-Josefs-Höhe.

There are plenty of signposts and little museums that are included in the road toll. Here you can learn more about the endeavours of the construction, the history and folk culture of the region and the sensitive ecosystem of the Alps with its characteristic flora and fauna . These exhibition elements make the ride over the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße Road an experience that rivals theme parks without distracting from the scenery, the main attraction. A major museum and visitor centre is at a large platform overlooking the Pasterze Glacier. The Pasterze is the longest glacier of Austria. From here you can either go to the Salzburg side of the mountain or into the opposite direction towards Heiligenblut in Carinthia . "High"-lights of the Hochalpenstraße The highest point that you can access by car is by the Edelweißspitze at 2,362 metres (Edelweiß is an Alpine flower, featuring in " The Sound of Music " as the main theme of a tacky song); from its peak, one can see up to 37 mountains higher than 3.000 metres alongside a staggering 19 glaciers. The road is generally open from May to November, depending on the snow situation.

The best time of the year to ride it is during the summer. Keep in mind that you enter high alpine terrain: even if you go in August, leaving the valleys of Salzburg or Carinthia at a boiling 30 degrees Celsius or more, snowfall in the higher altitudes of the Hochalpenstraße is not too unlikely. As always in high altitudes in the Alps, bring a warm jacket and proper, solid shoes. Be careful with the sun, light has a very high UV content in the Alps and sun blockers might be necessary. The road toll office in the valley will inform you about any possible obstacles, so there is no real safety issue involved.

Question: Grossglockner is the highest mountain in which country ?
Answer: AUSTRIA