Leslie Massey
The Alps are a mountain range in central Europe, covering more than 80,000 square miles. They are the most prominent of western Europe's physiographic regions. The range stretches from the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the Vienna Woods in the north, and from east to west, forming part of France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania. The Austrian Alps, in particular, are a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries covered | France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania |
| Length | 750 miles (1,200 kilometres) |
| Width | 125 miles |
| Area | 80,000 square miles (207,000 square kilometres) |
| Highest mountain in the Austrian Central Alps | Grossglockner (3,798 metres) |
| Highest mountain in the Western Alps | Mont Blanc (4,810 metres) |
| Highest mountain in the Eastern Alps | Piz Bernina (4,049 metres) |
| Austrian Alps stretch | From Vorarlberg Rätikon in the west to the Gutenstein Alps in the east |
| Popular activities | Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, exploring villages, sightseeing |
| Popular resorts | Mayrhofen, Saalbach, Seefeld, Westendorf, Obergurgl, Obertauern, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Alpbach, Salzkammergut |
| Popular cities | Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna, Klagenfurt |
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What You'll Learn
- The Eastern Alps are divided into the Northern Alps, Greywacke zone, Central Alps, and Southern Alps
- The Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria at 3,798 meters
- The Pasterze is the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps
- The Central Eastern Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps and adjacent regions of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Slovenia
- The Austrian Alps are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, mountain biking, and skiing
The Eastern Alps are divided into the Northern Alps, Greywacke zone, Central Alps, and Southern Alps
The Alps are a crescent-shaped geographic feature of central Europe that ranges in an 800 km (500 mi) arc from east to west and is 200 km (120 mi) in width. The mountain peaks have a mean height of 2.5 km (1.6 mi). The range stretches from the Mediterranean Sea north above the Po basin, extending through France from Grenoble, and stretching eastward through mid and southern Switzerland. The range continues onward toward Vienna, Austria, and southeast to the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia. The peaks in the easterly portion of the range, in Austria and Slovenia, are smaller than those in the central and western portions.
The Eastern Alps are divided into the Northern Alps, the Greywacke zone, the Central Alps, and the Southern Alps. The Central Alps and Northern Alps are separated by the Northern Longitudinal Trough, which runs from the Klostertal-Arlberg-Inn Valley to the southern Vienna Basin. The Central Alps and Southern Alps are separated by the Southern Longitudinal Valley, which runs from the Puster Valley to the Meža. The Central Alps are the most glaciated region of the Eastern Alps and have the highest summits. The Central Alps are also referred to as the Austrian Central Alps or the Österreichische Zentralalpen in German. The highest mountain in the Austrian Central Alps is Grossglockner at 3,798 meters (12,461 ft). The Central Eastern Alps also comprise the Kitzbühel Alps and the Salzburg Slate Alps as part of the Greywacke zone.
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The Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria at 3,798 meters
The Alps are a crescent-shaped geographic feature of Central Europe, stretching from east to west in an 800 km arc and 200 km in width. The mountain range is found in Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, and Liechtenstein. The Grossglockner, at 3,798 meters (12,461 feet) above the Adriatic, is the highest mountain in Austria and the Alps east of the Brenner Pass. It is part of the Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range, situated along the main ridge of the Central Eastern Alps and the Alpine divide. The Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse, a highway opened in 1935, lies to the east of the peak and connects Dölfach in the north with Heiligenblut in the south. The road has two tunnels, the Mitteltörl and Hochtor, and a branch road that leads to the base of the Pasterze Glacier, Austria's most extended glacier and the largest in the Eastern Alps.
The Grossglockner's characteristic pyramid shape consists of two pinnacles, the Grossglockner and the Kleinglockner, which are separated by the Glocknerscharte col. The name Glockner may be derived from the German word Glocke, meaning "bell," and referring to the mountain's shape. It may also be a Germanized version of the Alpine Slavic word Klek, meaning "mountain." 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 and forms the boundary between the East Tyrolean municipality of Kals am Grossglockner and Carinthian Heiligenblut.
The Grossglockner is a popular tourist attraction, known for its winter sports, mountain climbing, and beautiful scenery. It was first climbed in 1800, and mass tourism was promoted by the scenic High Alpine Road (Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse) built between 1930 and 1935. The road is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, second only to Schönbrunn Palace, attracting about 270,000 vehicles. The Grossglockner is not considered among the most dangerous mountains globally, as many people safely summit it annually. However, it is recommended to join a guided tour to rule out the possibility of life-threatening mistakes due to ignorance or lack of skills. Most climbers take two days to summit the Grossglockner, allowing enough time to acclimatize to the altitude.
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The Pasterze is the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps
The Alps are a crescent-shaped geographic feature of central Europe, stretching 800 km from east to west and 200 km in width. The mountain range traverses France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, and Germany. The Eastern Alps, which are divided into the Northern Alps, the Greywacke zone, the Central Alps, and the Southern Alps, are found in Austria and Slovenia. The Pasterze Glacier, located in the Hohe Tauern mountain range, is the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps.
The Pasterze Glacier is about 8.4 km long and is situated in the highest Austrian mountains, the Hohe Tauern, which are part of the Central Alps. The glacier is found in the valley below Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria at 3,798 meters. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a 47.8-km-long road that reaches a maximum height of 2,571 meters, provides access to the glacier. The road goes from Bruck an der Grossglocknerstrasse in the north to Heiligenblut in the south. The toll booth section starts in Ferleiten in the north and ends in Heiligenblut, where a 40-euro entrance fee is charged. The road offers panoramic views of the high mountain tops and the valley of the Hohe Tauern.
The Pasterze Glacier is a popular tourist destination, with hiking trails and a restaurant near the parking lot. The trail to the glacier is relatively easy, but caution is still necessary due to the alpine terrain. The glacier is accessible to everyone, but it is important to dress warmly and wear proper footwear as the temperatures can be cold and the terrain rough. The view of the glacier from the path leading to its mouth is particularly breathtaking.
The Pasterze Glacier is shrinking at a fast rate due to higher average temperatures, losing up to 10 meters in length each year. Therefore, those interested in visiting this natural wonder are encouraged to do so soon. The glacier is part of the High Tauern National Park, and its surrounding area was purchased by the German and Austrian Alpine Club in 1918.
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The Central Eastern Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps and adjacent regions of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Slovenia
The Central Eastern Alps are part of the Eastern Alps, which are divided into the Northern Alps, the Greywacke zone, the Central Alps, and the Southern Alps. The Central Alps are the eastern part of the Alpine divide, forming a central chain of mountains. The Central Eastern Alps include the Kitzbühel Alps and the adjacent Salzburg Slate Alps, which are part of the Greywacke zone. The Kitzbühel Alps are considered part of the Northern Limestone Alps or the Central Alps. The Central Alps also include the Rhaetian Alps, which features the 4,049-metre Piz Bernina in Switzerland, the easternmost 4,000-metre peak of the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps also comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps and extend into the adjacent regions of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Slovenia.
The broader Eastern Alps include the eastern parts of Switzerland, all of Liechtenstein, most of Austria, and parts of southern Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. The Eastern Alps are separated from the Western Alps by a line from Lake Constance to Lake Como along the Alpine Rhine Valley and via the Splügen Pass. The peaks and mountain passes in the Eastern Alps are lower than those in the Western Alps, but the range is broader and less arched. The highest mountain in the Austrian Central Alps is Grossglockner, at 3,798 meters. The Pasterze glacier in the Eastern Alps is the largest in the region. The Eastern Alps are the source of many of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine and the Danube.
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The Austrian Alps are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, mountain biking, and skiing
The Austrian Alps are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with a range of activities available throughout the year. Located in central Europe, the Alps form a crescent-shaped geographic feature, stretching from east to west and extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Adriatic Sea. The mountain range covers about 28.7% of Austria, with peaks in the Austrian region smaller than those in the central and western portions.
Hiking is a popular activity in the Austrian Alps, with numerous trails and destinations to choose from. The best months for hiking are July, August, and September, with June being an option if snow conditions are favourable. The Rätikon Alps, a limestone mountain range in the Central Eastern Alps, offer a 4-day high trail circuit with accessible starting points in the Brandnertal Valley and Montafon Valley in Vorarlberg, Austria. The Hohe Tauern National Park is another popular hiking destination, with the Venediger High Trail offering a hut-to-hut hiking experience through idyllic valleys and villages in East Tyrol.
Mountain biking is also well-loved in the Austrian Alps, with Leogang being a particularly renowned destination for enthusiasts. Solden is another excellent option, with a variety of trails and installations catering to different skill levels. The whole area is a bike and ski circus, with gentle trikes and giant bikes available for those who prefer a less thrilling experience.
Skiing and snowboarding are, of course, signature activities of the Austrian Alps, with St. Anton am Arlberg being a beautiful Alpine village offering amazing mountains and great slopes. The best skiing and snowboarding areas provide a range of trails and slopes to suit all skill levels, with scenic surroundings and easy access to lifts and other installations.
With its stunning scenery, the Austrian Alps truly deliver an outdoor paradise for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
The Alps stretch across the country from the Vorarlberg Rätikon in the west to the Gutenstein Alps in the east, and from the southern border of Bavaria in Germany to Vienna in the northeast. The Austrian Central Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps and the adjacent regions of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy and Slovenia.
The Austrian Alps are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities including hiking, mountain biking, exploring picturesque Alpine villages, and, of course, skiing.
Mayrhofen and Saalbach are highly recommended for beginner skiers. For families, Seefeld and Westendorf are good options. For snow-sure resorts, Obergurgl and Obertauern were highlighted in discussions.
