The road was built in just 26 months between 1930 and 1935, employing up to 3,200 workers simultaneously.
The Edelweissspitze, at 2,571 meters, is the highest point reachable by vehicle on the route.
The route passes through the Fuscher Törl, which serves as a memorial to the workers who died during the road's construction.
The Pasterze Glacier, located at the road's terminus, has been receding significantly since the early 20th century.
The road is one of the few high-altitude passes worldwide designed specifically to showcase alpine flora and geology to motorists.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a 48-kilometer toll road featuring 36 hairpin bends that ascends to an altitude of 2,504 meters. It serves as the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria, connecting the states of Salzburg and Carinthia. The route provides direct vehicular access to the Pasterze Glacier, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps. Construction of the road was completed in 1935, utilizing a design that follows the natural contours of the Hohe Tauern mountain range. The summit area, known as Edelweissspitze, offers a 360-degree panoramic view of more than thirty peaks exceeding 3,000 meters. The road functions as a vital corridor through the Hohe Tauern National Park. Travelers encounter multiple climatic zones, ranging from mountain meadows to high-alpine rock landscapes. The engineering incorporates traditional dry-stone walling techniques without the use of concrete reinforcements in many sections.
Edelweissspitze viewing platform.
Check the official road status portal before departure, as sudden snowfall can cause temporary closures even in summer.
Shift to a lower gear when driving downhill to prevent brake overheating.
Start your ascent early in the morning to avoid heavy tourist traffic and secure parking at the popular lookouts.
Attempting the drive in a vehicle with a manual transmission if you are inexperienced with steep mountain descents.
Closed during winter months, typically opening in May and closing in early November depending on snow conditions.
Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile high-alpine ecosystem, and do not feed the marmots inhabiting the rocky slopes.
