The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is Austria’s highest and most dramatic alpine road, built between 1930 and 1935 as a public works project during the economic depression. The 48-km tolled road crosses a 2,571-meter pass connecting Salzburg and Carinthia, with the Franz-Josephs-Hoehe viewpoint giving direct views of Austria’s highest peak (the Grossglockner at 3,798m) and the Pasterze, Austria’s longest glacier, which has been visibly retreating due to climate change. About 900,000 vehicles drive the road annually, making it Austria’s most visited paid tourist attraction. The toll is around EUR 38 per car. The road is open approximately May to November; northern access from Bruck an der Glocknerstrasse, southern from Heiligenblut. Allow at least half a day including stops.
scenic route
Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße
Built between 1930 and 1935 during the economic crisis of the First Austrian Republic, the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse was both an engineering project and a political statement.
- Type
- scenic route
- Cost
- Paid entry
- Founded
- Built 1930-1935
- Address
- Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, 5730 Mittersill, 5730 Pinzgau
- Coordinates
- 47.0826, 12.8426
- Official website
- Visit website