Leslie Massey
The Pasterze Glacier in western Austria is the country's largest glacier and the longest in the Eastern Alps. It is located on the side of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, within the Hohe Tauern National Park. The glacier is accessible via the scenic Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which takes about 2 hours by car, and a funicular railway that leads down to its margin. The Grossglockner Road is seasonal and is usually closed from mid-October to mid-May. The main Hochalpenstrasse road, which connects Fusch and Heiligenblut, is a toll road that closes at night and during the winter season. The Pasterze Glacier Trail starts at the Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe road, before the Parkhaus Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe parking lot, and offers the opportunity to hike and explore the natural beauty of the area, including the Großglockner peak and the surrounding mountain scenery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance | Around 150 km |
| Travel time | 2 hours by car |
| Route | Via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road |
| Parking | Available at the Parkhaus Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe |
| Hiking trail | The Pasterze Glacier Trail starts from the parking lot |
| Attractions | Marmots, ibexes, lakes, mountains, and alpine roads |
| Seasonality | The Grossglockner Road is seasonal and usually closed from mid-October to mid-May |
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What You'll Learn
- The Pasterze Glacier is accessible via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
- The scenic mountain pass, Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, leads to the glacier
- The glacier is part of the High Tauern National Park
- The Grossglockner Road is seasonal and has a dedicated website
- The Pasterze Glacier Trail starts from the Parkhaus Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe parking lot
The Pasterze Glacier is accessible via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
The road is named after the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain, which stands at 3,798 metres. The road leads to the Pasterze Glacier, the biggest glacier still in existence in the Eastern Alps. The glacier is a major tourist destination, offering panoramic views of majestic mountain summits, lush valleys, and woodlands. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road also provides access to the Hohe Tauern National Park, where visitors can admire the natural beauty of the area, including the peak of the Grossglockner and the cute marmots that can be spotted near the car park.
The road features numerous viewing points, exhibitions, and experience worlds, providing a variety of indoor and outdoor adventures for visitors. It is a popular destination for motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, and hikers, with an extensive network of hiking paths starting along the road. The road also offers access to several restaurants and accommodation options, making it a convenient base for exploring the area.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a masterpiece of engineering, with every metre carefully planned and designed to showcase the stunning natural surroundings. It reflects the material advancement of the people, initially serving as a route for motorcycles, which were once considered the "poor man's car". Today, it is a well-known landmark in Austria, attracting visitors from all over the globe who come to experience the breathtaking scenery and unique experiences the road has to offer.
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The scenic mountain pass, Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, leads to the glacier
The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is a scenic mountain pass that leads to the Pasterze Glacier, Austria's largest glacier and the longest in the Eastern Alps. The road is 48 kilometres long and features 36 twists and turns, leading up to the Hochtor at 2,504 metres above sea level. The highest drivable point is the Edelweiss Spitze at 2,571 metres, which offers breathtaking views of over 30 three-thousand-metre mountains, including the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain at 3,798 metres. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is accessible by car and is open to visitors from May to November. Outside of the peak season, the drive on this winding road is a treat, offering majestic mountain summits, lush valleys, and woodlands to admire.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is not just a means to get to the glacier but a destination in itself. It is regarded as one of the loveliest excursion roads in the world, blending seamlessly into the mountains. The road leads through four vegetation zones, from montane to subalpine, then through the treeless Alpine level, and finally to the glaciers and summits in the subnival and nival levels. Along the road, there are numerous viewpoints, rest areas, display boards, and information points where visitors can learn about the nature, flora, and fauna of the area.
The Pasterze Glacier is a major tourist destination and can be accessed via the Grossglockner High Alpine Road or a funicular railway. The glacier is located within the Hohe Tauern National Park, and a visit can easily be done in a day. However, it is important to note that the glacier has been retreating at a rapid speed due to climate change. In recent years, it has retreated by another 1.7 kilometres, and the ice is now a 50-minute walk from the historic glacier lift.
The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse also offers a variety of activities for families. There are playgrounds at Schareck, Piffkar, Schöneck, and Fuscher Lake, as well as nature trails and museums along the road. The Haus Alpine Naturschau, located at 2,260 metres above sea level, is a recommended stop to learn more about the mountain world. Additionally, the Gamsgrubenweg adventure trail starts at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and leads through several tunnels into the nature reserve.
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The glacier is part of the High Tauern National Park
The Pasterze Glacier is part of the High Tauern National Park, also known as the Hohe Tauern National Park. It is the largest glacier in Austria and the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, stretching to approximately 8.4 kilometres (5.2 miles) in length. The glacier lies within the Glockner Group of the High Tauern mountain range in Carinthia, directly beneath Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, which stands at 3,798 metres (12,460 feet) tall.
The Pasterze Glacier is a major tourist destination, attracting throngs of visitors during the peak season. It is accessible via the scenic Grossglockner High Alpine Road and a funicular railway that leads down to its margin. The glacier trail starts at Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe and does not present any technical challenges, making it a popular choice for hikers and mountain lovers. The trail offers breathtaking views of the glacier and the surrounding Alpine landscape.
The Pasterze Glacier is notable for its rapid retreat due to climate change. In the past century, the glacier has lost more than half of its volume and continues to retreat at a speed of 10-20 metres per year. Despite this, the natural beauty of the area remains a draw for visitors. The peak of the Grossglockner and the cute marmots that can be spotted near the car park are particular highlights.
The High Tauern National Park offers various activities for visitors, including glacier trekking, skiing, and hiking. The park caters well to tourists, with several restaurants and accommodation options available. The Grossglockner Glacier Cable Car is also a popular attraction, providing access to the realm of the eternal ice and offering inspiring views of the glacier and the surrounding area.
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The Grossglockner Road is seasonal and has a dedicated website
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a seasonal road that usually opens for around six months of the year, depending on snow conditions. It is open to traffic from May to October, but the exact dates vary depending on the weather. The road is cleared of snow in springtime, which can take around 25 days, and motorcyclists are allowed on the road from June.
The Grossglockner Road has a dedicated website where visitors can check the snow clearance progress and opening dates. The website also provides information on ticket prices and allows visitors to book their tickets in advance.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a panoramic road that winds through the Austrian states of Salzburg and Carinthia for 48 kilometres (30 miles). It has 36 turns and offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, including Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, which stands at 3,798 meters (12,461 feet) above sea level.
The road is a popular destination for motorcyclists, hikers, and skiers, with its winding routes, hairpin turns, and magnificent views. It leads to the Pasterze Glacier, the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps, which is a major tourist attraction. The road also passes by the Fuscher Lacke and the "Mankei" inn, where visitors can see tame marmots and enjoy alpine delicacies.
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The Pasterze Glacier Trail starts from the Parkhaus Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe parking lot
The parking lot is a popular starting point for hikers, as it offers easy access to the glacier and the surrounding area. The trail from the parking lot to the glacier is a secured alpine path that takes about 30 minutes to descend and about an hour to climb back up. There is also the option to take the Gletscherbahn Pasterze, a funicular railway, which covers about half the distance of the trail.
At the glacier tongue, the Pasterzenweg trail continues to the Margaritzenstausee and on to the Glocknerhaus, a roughly 1.5-hour hike. The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe visitor centre also offers guided tours of the area from July to September.
The Pasterze Glacier is a major tourist destination and is known for its natural beauty. However, it has also become a site of dark tourism due to its rapid retreat as a result of climate change. The glacier has lost more than half of its volume and is retreating at a speed of 10-20 meters per year.
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