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Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Heiligenblut)
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Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Heiligenblut)

Austria's Highest Mountain and its Glacier Road

Plan this trip
1 dayIdeal stay₹9,590From / night₹3,200Food / day₹2,480Entry

The 48 km toll road over the Hohe Tauern from Fusch (near Zell am See) to Heiligenblut, with 36 hairpins, the Edelweissspitze at 2,571 m and, at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, the view of the Grossglockner (3,798 m, Austria's highest) above the retreating Pasterze glacier, with marmots by the path. Open only from early May to early November; a car pays €46.50 a day (2026). Without a car, Postbuses run over it in high summer from Zell am See and from Lienz. Heiligenblut, the village at the southern end with its pointed church under the peak, is the place to stay.

Highlights

  • The Grossglockner above the Pasterze glacier from the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe
  • 36 hairpins and the Edelweissspitze viewpoint
  • Marmots and alpine flowers by the paths
  • Heiligenblut's church under the peak
  • Hohe Tauern National Park walks

Things to do

  • Drive or Postbus over the High Alpine Road with the viewpointsMay–OctMorning · 5h
  • Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and the Gamsgrube path above the glacierMay–OctAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Heiligenblut village and churchAfternoon · 1h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: June – September (the road is open early May to early November)

Plan around this

Grossglockner Road Closed for Winter

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is closed by snow from early November to early May (the exact dates move with the weather), and the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe with it. Heiligenblut can still be reached from Lienz as a ski village. For a glacier in winter, go up the Kitzsteinhorn at Kaprun instead.

Heads up

Snow on the Glockner Road

In May, June and October the road can close for a day after fresh snow, and the summer Postbus over it does not run yet (it usually starts in late June). Check the road status on grossglockner.at the morning you go; the toll is €46.50 a car (2026).