Grossglockner High Alpine Road
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Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Europe · Salzburg / Carinthia

Four verified alpine stages from Salzburg to Grossglockner and Zell am See.

131 miles · 3-4 Days · 5 rally points

Guide statusPublished and available
Editorial updateAugust 12, 2026
Road conditionsVerify locally

The route

This verified Austrian route starts in Salzburg, approaches the official Grossglockner High Alpine Road through Fusch and Ferleiten, climbs to Edelweissspitze and Hochtor, then reaches Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hoehe before returning north to Zell am See.

The toll road is seasonal and weather dependent. Opening hours, branch access and vehicle restrictions can change, and a valid ticket does not guarantee that every viewpoint is available. Confirm conditions on the official road site on the morning of travel.

Mountain weather changes quickly. Carry warm layers, use low gears on descents and allow faster traffic to pass only at signed, safe places.

“The toll road earns its reputation through elevation, scale and disciplined engineering.”

The whole Drive Pack, not just a line on a map.

This complete edition includes the practical tools, considered places and editorial context listed below.

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Route

Exact route map

The complete route, every rally point and sequential navigation links ready to open in Google Maps.

Itinerary

Full rally-point itinerary

A day-by-day sequence with distances, driving time and the stops that shape the journey.

Field notes

Road character & timing

Surface notes, corner character, suggested departure windows and the stretches that demand attention.

PDF

Downloadable roadbook

A premium PDF edition of the complete Drive Pack, designed for print and reliable offline use.

Web + PDF

Pre-drive checklist

Interactive and printable checks for the car, fuel, bookings, weather and offline navigation.

Live tools

Live departure desk

Official road-condition links and practical departure checks gathered in one place.

Curated

Stops, stays & tables

Curated accommodation, restaurants, wineries and worthwhile pauses matched to the route.

Journal

Stories from the route

Relevant journal guides and deeper reads for the places, people and driving culture along the way.

Route map

See the territory. Keep the discovery.

The shaded area shows the landscape of the drive. Members receive the verified road, sequence and navigation.

Explore the route region
  1. 01

    Day 1

    Salzburg

    61.6 miles · 1.6 hours driving, plus stops
  2. 02

    Day 1

    Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse

    61.6 miles · 1.6 hours driving, plus stops

  3. Days 2–3 · Member Drive Pack

    The rest of the journey

    3 further rally points with verified routing, timings and road notes

Day by day

The drive, unfolded.

Salzburg01

Day 1

Salzburg

Mozart's City & Baroque Jewel

Begin in Salzburg , the city of Mozart, The Sound of Music, and some of Europe's finest baroque architecture. Walk the Getreidegasse, visit the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and take coffee and Sachertorte at Café Tomaselli (since 1705). The drive south toward the mountains begins on smooth Austrian motorways.

Distance
61.6 miles
Drive time
1.6 hours driving, plus stops
Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse02

Day 1

Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse

Northern Gateway to the Pass

The small village of Fusch marks the northern entrance to the Grossglockner road. From here, the road begins its ascent through the Fuscher Valley , gentle at first, then increasingly dramatic as the treeline falls away and the peaks close in. Stop at the toll booth (€39.50 per car) and begin the climb.

Distance
61.6 miles
Drive time
1.6 hours driving, plus stops

Complete Drive Pack

3 more rally points await.

The complete itinerary includes exact timings, road character, every stop and the downloadable roadbook.

Public preview · 2 of 5 rally points
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Beyond the road

Worth stopping for.

Places selected because they belong to the journey, not because they happened to be nearby.

Food & wine

1 more curated picks
Café Tomaselli
Historic Café

Café Tomaselli

Salzburg

Austria's oldest coffee house (1705). Sachertorte, Melange coffee, and newspapers on wooden poles. A Salzburg institution.

Read our review
Mountain Restaurant

Restaurant Edelweiss

Grossglockner Road

At 2,571 m, this is one of Austria's highest restaurants. Hearty alpine fare with panoramic views of 30+ peaks.

Michelin-Starred

Döllerer

Golling (near Salzburg)

Andreas Döllerer's innovative Austrian cuisine. Local ingredients, modern techniques, and a wine cellar of 2,000+ bottles.

Read our review
View all 4 food & wine recommendations
Fine Dining

Schloss Prielau

Zell am See

Lakeside castle restaurant with Michelin-quality cuisine. Romantic setting with mountain and lake views.

Read our review

Where to stay

Historic Luxury$$$$

Hotel Goldener Hirsch

Salzburg

A Luxury Collection hotel in the heart of the old town. Getreidegasse address, antique furnishings, and impeccable Austrian hospitality since 1407.

Lakeside Grand Hotel$$$

Grand Hotel Zell am See

Zell am See

Belle Époque grandeur on the lake shore. Spa, private beach, and mountain views from every room.

Wellness Resort$$$$

Naturhotel Forsthofgut

Leogang

A 25,000 m² spa in the mountains. Forest bathing, natural swimming lake, and farm-to-table dining.

Before departure

Know before you go.

Driving Side

Right-hand traffic

Speed Limits

Motorway 130 km/h, Rural 100 km/h, Urban 50 km/h

Toll

€39.50 per car for the Grossglockner road (2024). Motorway vignette also required.

Fuel

Fill up in Salzburg or Zell am See. No fuel on the pass.

Pass Opening

Typically early June to late October. Night closures possible.

Weather

Summit temperatures 5-15°C in summer. Rain and fog common. Bring layers.

Emergency

European emergency number: 112

From the journal

Stories along this route.

Continue exploring

More roads in Europe.

The complete journey

Take the full route with you.

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