Grossglockner

Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria, rising to 3,798 metres (12,460 feet). It forms the main crest of the Glockner Group in the Hohe Tauern range of the Central Eastern Alps and lies on the border between the states of Tyrol and Carinthia. The peak is a dominant feature of the eastern Alpine landscape and a well-known symbol of Austrian mountaineering. Its north flank overlooks the Pasterze Glacier, one of the region’s major glaciers, which has retreated significantly in recent decades due to climate change.

The mountain is part of Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria’s largest national park, established in 1981. The surrounding area is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and visitors seeking alpine scenery. The park protects a diverse range of ecosystems and geologic features, from glaciers and high alpine meadows to rugged rock faces.

Access to the area is facilitated by the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse), a scenic toll road linking Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße with Heiligenblut. Opened in the 1930s, the road provides viewpoints and access to visitor facilities and to the Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Höhe, a high-altitude viewpoint close to the mountain. The road passes through the park and offers dramatic vistas of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and valleys.

The Grossglockner remains a major destination for outdoor enthusiasts and a significant symbol of Austrian alpine tourism. Weather in the region can change rapidly, and winter access is restricted to experienced climbers; many routes require proper equipment and planning, while seasonal access and preservation rules apply for all visitors.