The Grossglockner Road

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Großglockner Hochalpenstraße) is one of the most spectacular mountain drives in Europe — 48 km of engineered switchbacks rising to over 2,500 metres, past glaciers, marmots and views that reach to Austria's highest peak, the 3,798-metre Grossglockner itself. It is a scenic road first and a transit route second: millions of visitors drive it not to get anywhere quickly, but because the road is the destination. You will need to pay a toll, plan the season carefully, and come prepared for conditions that can shift from sunshine to cloud in an hour.

What the Grossglockner Road is

The road connects the Salzburg village of Bruck an der Glocknerstraße in the north to Heiligenblut am Großglockner in Carinthia to the south, crossing the main Alpine ridge at the Hochtor tunnel at 2,504 metres — the highest point on the main road. A separate toll side road, the Edelweißspitze road, climbs to 2,571 metres and is one of the highest public roads in the Alps. Another spur road leads to the Franz-Josefs-Höhe, a high-altitude viewing platform above the Pasterze glacier at 2,369 metres — this is the road's signature viewpoint and the one you absolutely should not miss.

The distance from Bruck in the north to Heiligenblut in the south is about 48 km. Without stops, this takes around one hour in good conditions. Most visitors take considerably longer — two to four hours is realistic if you are stopping at viewpoints, walking to the glacier, and pausing at the visitor centres.

The toll

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a private toll road, operated by GROHAG (Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße AG). A separate toll must be paid for this road in addition to any Austrian motorway vignette you hold — the vignette does not cover it.

Tolls are charged per vehicle by category (car, motorcycle, campervan, bus). You pay at one of the two main entry booths — either at Ferleiten in the north or at Heiligenblut in the south. Cash and card are accepted. The toll allows unlimited travel on the road for a fixed period (typically a single day), so you can drive in, park, explore, drive the side roads and exit at either end without paying twice. Motorcycles generally pay a lower rate than cars.

Prices are updated annually; for the current toll rate, check the official Grossglockner website before your trip. Budget roughly the cost of a typical scenic national park entrance fee.

Season and opening

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is closed in winter — typically from early November until late May, though exact dates depend on snowfall and conditions. The road usually opens for the season in mid to late May. In some years, the full road including side roads is not fully clear until June.

The peak months for visitors are July and August, when the road can become busy — particularly at weekends and on Austrian public holidays. If you visit in peak season, consider an early morning start (the toll booths open around 6 or 7 am) to get ahead of the crowds at the viewpoints.

September and early October are often excellent — fewer visitors, the larch trees beginning to turn gold, and clear autumn light for photography. Snow can return to the high sections from late September onwards, so check road conditions before visiting late in the season.

Always check the current road status on the official Grossglockner website before travelling — they update it in near-real-time and include webcam views from the summit.

The drive itself

From Bruck in the north, the road climbs steadily through forest before breaking into open Alpine meadow. The first major stop is Fuscher Törl, with wide views back toward the Salzburg lowlands. From here the road narrows and steepens, with proper switchbacks curling up to the Hochtor, the highest passage through the main ridge.

On the south side, the road descends into a different landscape — the deep valley of Carinthia visible ahead. The spur road to the Franz-Josefs-Höhe branches off here: this 9-km detour is included in your toll and leads to a visitor centre, restaurant, and a stunning vista of the Pasterze glacier directly below and the Grossglockner summit above. Guided glacier walks depart from the lower station of the cable car here.

The Edelweißspitze side road, also included in the toll, branches off earlier in the route and climbs to the highest point publicly accessible by car on the Grossglockner system. The panoramic view at the top, on a clear day, takes in dozens of Alpine peaks.

What to expect on the road

The road is well-engineered and maintained to a high standard. It is a single carriageway with passing places at the tightest hairpins; in practice, traffic flows well except at very busy moments when convoys can form. Maximum vehicle height limits apply on some sections — campervans and motorhomes should check GROHAG's guidance before booking. Vehicles over a certain length or weight may face restrictions.

• Hairpin bends: The road has over 36 named switchbacks. They are well-signed, wide enough for normal vehicles and not technically difficult — but take them slowly and watch for vehicles coming the other way, especially motorcyclists who can appear quickly.
• Tunnels: Several short tunnels on the main road are single-lane with traffic-light control. Follow the light and do not enter on red.
• Weather: Temperature drops approximately 0.6°C per 100 metres of altitude. A warm sunny day at the valley floor can mean clouds, mist and even light snow at the summit. Carry a layer regardless of the season.
• Marmots: Alpine marmots live on the grassy slopes beside the road and are used to cars stopping nearby. They are a highlight for many visitors, particularly with children.

Fuel and services on the road

There is no fuel station on the Grossglockner Road itself. Fill up before you enter, either in Bruck/Fusch in the north or in Heiligenblut in the south. The visitor centres at Franz-Josefs-Höhe and at Fuscher Törl have restaurants, cafés and toilets. Opening times are tied to the road's seasonal schedule.

Approaching the road

From Salzburg, the northern entry is approximately 90 km south on the A10 motorway (Tauern Autobahn) and then national roads through the Salzachtal valley. The Tauern Autobahn carries a separate motorway tunnel toll in addition to the vignette, so budget for this en route.

From Lienz or the south Tyrol, Heiligenblut and the southern entry are most easily approached via Spittal an der Drau on the A10. For those combining the Grossglockner with a wider Austrian road trip or an Alpine road trip, it fits naturally between Salzburg and the Carinthian lakes.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Grossglockner Road open year-round?

No. The road is closed in winter, typically from early November to mid or late May, depending on snowfall. Check the official website for the current season's opening and closing dates — they vary from year to year.

Do I need to pay the Austrian vignette as well as the Grossglockner toll?

Yes. The Austrian motorway vignette covers the national motorway and expressway network; the Grossglockner is a private toll road and charges separately. You will almost certainly need both if travelling from within Austria.

Can I drive the road on a motorcycle?

Yes. Motorcycles are very popular on the Grossglockner and pay a lower toll rate than cars. The road is well-surfaced and the hairpins are wide enough for two-wheeled traffic, though normal Alpine riding caution applies — cold, wet or gravelly conditions can change quickly.

How long does it take to drive the Grossglockner Road?

The 48 km main road takes about one hour without stops. Most visitors allow two to four hours to include the Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewpoint, the Edelweißspitze if desired, and stops at the various viewpoints and visitor facilities along the way.