Lexi Webster
Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, is a sought-after summit for mountaineers, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Alpine landscapes. With a height of 3,798 metres (12,461 feet), it stands as the tallest peak in the Alps east of the Brenner Pass. The mountain's distinctive pyramid shape is formed by two pinnacles, the Grossglockner and the Kleinglockner, which together create a challenging and sought-after mountaineering experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Grossglockner |
| Height | 3,798 metres (12,461 feet) |
| Location | Border between the Austrian states of Carinthia and Tyrol (East Tyrol) |
| Range | Part of the Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range |
| Ridge | Part of the Glocknerkamm ridge |
| Prominence | 2,424 metres (7,953 feet) |
| Glacier | Pasterze, Austria's most extended glacier |
| Col | Obere Glocknerscharte, the highest col in Austria at 3,766 metres (12,356 feet) |
| Routes | The Normal Route and the Stüdlgrat Route |
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What You'll Learn
Grossglockner is Austria's highest mountain
The Grossglockner mountain itself presents a distinctive double-peak appearance, consisting of two pinnacles: the Grossglockner and the Kleinglockner, which stand at 3,798 metres and 3,770 metres (12,370 ft), respectively. The Obere Glocknerscharte, the col between these two peaks, is the highest in Austria at 3,766 metres (12,356 ft). The Grossglockner's characteristic pyramid-shaped peak is counted as a single summit in historic publications due to its low topographic prominence and close climbing history with the Kleinglockner. However, in mountaineering literature, the Kleinglockner is often considered an independent peak due to its separate climbing routes.
The Grossglockner is a sought-after summit for mountaineers, with its high Alpine, heavily glaciated appearance drawing comparisons to the mountains of the Western Alps. The view from its summit is one of the farthest in the Eastern Alps, ranging over 220 kilometres (140 miles) or almost 240 kilometres (150 miles) when accounting for atmospheric refraction. From the summit, one can take in a panoramic view of over 150,000 square kilometres (58,000 sq mi) of the Earth's surface, including the Upper Swabian Plateau, the peaks of the Bohemian Forest, the Padan Plain, and the Triglav and Totes Gebirge ranges.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a masterpiece in road construction, provides visitors with an unparalleled natural experience as they journey through dense woodland, lush Alpine pastures, and rugged rocky landscapes. This road operates with sustainability in mind, aiming to preserve the unique and beautiful natural surroundings that attract visitors. The region around the mountain has been designated a special protected area within the High Tauern National Park since 1986.
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It is 3,798 metres above the Adriatic Sea
Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, is 3,798 metres above the Adriatic Sea. That's 12,461 feet. It is part of the larger Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range, situated along the main ridge of the Central Eastern Alps and the Alpine divide. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road takes visitors through impressive natural landscapes, from dense woodland to rugged rocky landscapes, and up to Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe at the foot of Grossglockner.
The characteristic pyramid-shaped peak of Grossglockner consists of two pinnacles: the Grossglockner and the Kleinglockner, which is 3,770 metres high. The Obere Glocknerscharte between the two peaks, at 3,766 metres, is the highest col in Austria. From there, a couloir with a gradient of up to 55 degrees and 600 metres of altitude loss descends to the Glocknerkees glacier.
The Grossglockner became Austria's highest mountain in 1919 when the South Tyrolean Ortler region was ceded to Italy as per the Treaty of Saint-Germain. The view from the summit is one of the farthest of all mountains in the Eastern Alps, ranging 220 kilometres or, taking into account atmospheric refraction, almost 240 kilometres. Its view reaches over 150,000 square kilometres of the Earth's surface.
There are two main routes that climbers use to summit Grossglockner. The Normal Route is marked by scenic trails and glacier crossing, with a climbing grade of Class II per UIAA, making it suitable for the majority of climbers. The Stüdlgrat Route offers a more technical ascent, requiring advanced climbing skills and belaying techniques.
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It is part of the Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range
Austria's highest mountain, Grossglockner, is part of the Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range. The Glockner Group is a subset of the Hohe Tauern range, which is the largest and oldest national park in Austria. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a protected area since 1986, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges and is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers.
The Glockner Group is situated along the main ridge of the Central Eastern Alps and the Alpine divide. The Grossglockner mountain itself stands at 3,798 metres above the Adriatic Sea (12,461 feet) and is characterised by its pyramid-shaped double peak, consisting of the Grossglockner and the Kleinglockner (3,770 metres or 12,370 feet). The Obere Glocknerscharte between the two peaks is the highest col in Austria, from which a couloir descends to the Glocknerkees glacier.
The Grossglockner is located in the High Tauern National Park, which was established in 1981 and is known for its alpine waters, wildlife, towering mountains, and rich biodiversity. The park offers a range of hiking trails, including multi-day hikes and hut-to-hut hikes, making it accessible to both experienced and novice hikers.
The Grossglockner has a prominent place in the history of mountaineering and has been described as a "sought-after" summit. It offers a unique climbing experience with a variety of routes, including the Normal Route and the more technical Stüdlgrat Route. The mountain's high altitude, glaciated appearance, and impressive views make it a popular destination for mountaineers and alpine enthusiasts.
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The Grossglockner High Alpine Road offers an unparalleled natural experience
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a masterpiece in road construction and an unparalleled natural experience. The road takes visitors through impressive natural landscapes, from dense woodland to lush Alpine pastures and rugged rocky terrain. The road culminates at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, at the foot of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, which rises majestically to 3,798 meters (12,461 feet) above the Adriatic Sea.
The Grossglockner, located in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, is the highest mountain in the Alps east of the Brenner Pass. It is part of the larger Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range, which forms the border between the Austrian states of Carinthia and Tyrol (East Tyrol). The peak is part of the Glocknerkamm ridge, which branches off the main chain of the Alps at Eiskögele and stretches in a southeasterly direction.
The Grossglockner has a distinctive pyramid-shaped double peak, formed by the Grossglockner and the Kleinglockner (3,770 m or 12,370 ft). The view from the summit is one of the farthest in the Eastern Alps, ranging over 150,000 square kilometers (58,000 square miles) of the Earth's surface. On a clear day, one can see as far as the Upper Swabian Plateau in the northwest, Regensburg and the peaks of the Bohemian Forest in the north, Ortler in the west, the Padan Plain in the south, and Triglav and the Totes Gebirge range in the east.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road offers a unique opportunity for Alpinists, hikers, and walkers to explore the surrounding mountain areas. There are several multi-day hikes that can be undertaken, such as the Glockner Trail, which loops around the Grossglockner massif, and the Alpe-Adria-Trail, which starts from the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe. The road and the surrounding area are managed sustainably, with a focus on conserving the natural beauty and uniqueness of the surroundings.
Climbing the Grossglockner summit is a sought-after experience for many mountaineers, and there are two main routes to the top. The Normal Route is favored for its accessibility, scenic trails, and glacier crossing. The Stüdlgrat Route offers a more technical and challenging ascent, requiring advanced climbing skills and techniques. Whether it's through driving, hiking, or climbing, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and its surroundings offer an unparalleled natural experience in the heart of Austria's majestic mountains.
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There are two main routes to climb Grossglockner
At 3,798 metres above the Adriatic, Grossglockner is Austria's highest mountain and the highest mountain in the Alps east of the Brenner Pass. The Grossglockner lies on the border between the Austrian states of Carinthia and Tyrol (East Tyrol). The peak is part of the Glocknerkamm ridge in the Glockner Group, which branches off the main chain of the Alps at Eiskögele.
The normal route can be further broken down into the following sections. From Glocknerhaus, follow the marked trail to the Margaritzen reservoir. Cross the Leiter valley to the stockerscharte, then reach the Salm hut via the Wiener Hohenweg. From the Salm hut, a trail leads to Hohenwartkees. Pass the Hohenwartkees and climb the rocks (with fixed ropes) to the Hohenwartscharte. Pass the Äussere Hofmannkees to the rocky Salmkamp, then cross to the hut. From the hut, you must cope with a 35-40 degree steep slope (pure ice in late summer) and an exposed ridge rated UIAA II.
The Stüdlgrat ridge route begins at the Stuedl hut, which can be reached with a 2.5-hour walk from the Lucknerhaus. This route includes sections of III+ climbing grade per UIAA and is recommended for advanced mountaineers seeking a greater challenge.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria's highest mountain is the Grossglockner, which is 3,798 metres (12,461 ft) above the Adriatic.
The Grossglockner lies on the border between the Austrian states of Carinthia and Tyrol (East Tyrol). It is part of the Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range, situated along the main ridge of the Central Eastern Alps.
There are two main routes that climbers use to summit the Grossglockner: the Normal Route and the Stüdlgrat Route. The Normal Route is favoured for accessibility, beginning from the valley of Kals (Lucknerhaus) or the valley of Heiligenblut and converging at the Erzherzog Johann Hut. The Stüdlgrat Route offers a more technical ascent, requiring advanced climbing skills, belaying techniques, and full confidence in your abilities.
