Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is Austria's most celebrated mountain pass and one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century. Constructed between 1930 and 1935, the road was built partly to provide employment during the Great Depression and partly to showcase Austria's Alpine grandeur to the world. Stretching 48 kilometres from Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße to Heiligenblut, it climbs to a summit of 2,504 metres and passes within sight of the Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak at 3,798 metres. Every bend in this road tells a story of ambition, labour, and the raw power of the Alpine world.

The highlights along the route are breathtaking. The Edelweißspitze, at 2,571 metres the highest point reachable by car, offers a 360-degree panorama that stretches into five countries on clear days. The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe glacier viewpoint is arguably the most dramatic, placing you almost eye-level with the Pasterze, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps. As you watch the ice river descend towards the valley, you feel both the magnificence and the fragility of the Alpine world. The 36 hairpin bends that snake up the northern ramp are a jaw-dropping spectacle even before you start the engine.

For a VW T3 van, the Grossglockner is the ultimate challenge and the ultimate reward. The climb is relentless and very steep, with gradients regularly exceeding 12 percent. You will spend long stretches in first or second gear, and your engine temperature gauge will demand constant attention. Allow extra time — both for the mechanical demands and for the many viewpoints you will simply not be able to drive past without stopping. The brakes work equally hard on the descent, so use engine braking generously and let them cool at the designated stops. Carry water for both yourself and the coolant reservoir.

The road is typically open from early May to early November, though exact dates depend on snowfall. The shoulder seasons — late May to June and September to early October — offer the best combination of clear views, manageable traffic, and comfortable temperatures. Midsummer can bring heavy tourist traffic and long waits at viewpoints. Plan to start early in the morning to have the upper reaches largely to yourself. There is an entrance fee to drive the road, and it is money well spent: the maintenance of this extraordinary route is superb. A fuel stop in Heiligenblut or Bruck is wise before starting the ascent.