Grossglockner

To make it clear right away, the three stars are not for the mountain itself which is incredibly beautiful. They are for the overall experience which was tainted by the congestion, peoples' behavior, and trail safety which is inadequate in view of the mass traffic. Most other reviews won't prepare you for what to really expect, so let me give you a glimpse. We did this hike with a friend at the end of June 2025. From the Adlersruhe hut, the trail crosses a moderately steep snow field. The introductory via ferrata ends in a steep rock section where the trail is poorly marked. We were not the only ones pondering which way to go up. Apparently, we scrambled a bit too much to the right, because we ended up climbing through bare rock and pristine snow and ice. Being experienced climbers, this was not a big deal, and we even enjoyed it. But adding a few trail markers at the end of the first via ferrata would certainly help. More importantly, the trail is mostly steep, narrow, and exposed, and there are numerous bottlenecks that cause congestion on a regular basis. We witnessed people being rude, reckless, and even outright dangerous. Be ready for a constant stream of hikers coming at you from the opposite direction, unwilling to slow down. If you want to take a picture, people behind you will try to pass you instantly. We were yelled at (in Polish) for taking some 10 seconds to snap a photo. The trail itself is rather poorly secured. This would not be a problem if there were fewer people, as the whole stress is caused by the heavy traffic. With a few exceptions, there are no fixed ropes. Instead, there are steel poles, perhaps 1 - 1.5 meters tall, located some 10-20 meters apart. At one moment, I was anchored with a sling to one of them with eight (8) other people. Some going up, some going down, everybody anxious to go. One lady disconnected herself from the safety pole and started climbing up away from the official route with no protection. I witnessed several guided groups where the customers went down steep exposed sections, followed by a guide who was at the end of their rope, unprotected. He would not be able to arrest anybody if they slipped and fell. Safety is overrated. I seriously wonder how the reported number of deaths on the Grossglockner is only 2 per year, as this is a disaster in waiting. On the way down, we sometimes chose to lower ourselves on the miscellaneous bolts to circumvent the heavy traffic and for...

This road, which is one of the most beautiful in Europe, will have to reach road number 107, which partly includes the road. Exit Milstadt to the west toward Highway 100 and turn left onto Route 106. Continue on this road until Winklern City and take Route 107 north. The entrance to the Grossglockner road is paid, so you will have to go through a payment station before you leave. The Grossglockner road passes through the magnificent Austrian Alps and spreads over 48 kilometers. The opening hours of the road vary according to the season, around 6:00 to 18:00. It is recommended to refuel before starting, although it is not long, so that the situation will not happen in the middle of the road with an empty container. It is also recommended to have warm clothes, as you are about to pass through the Austrian Alps and the cold is great.

On the way, it is recommended to stop at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe visitor center, located at the highest point of the road, at a height of about 2570 meters, and enjoy the stunning view, which includes the mountain named after the road - Grossglockner, 3,800 meters. At the visitors' center you can stop for a rest and a snack. The journey from Milstadt to the end of Route 107 is about two hours.

The Grossglockner road is only open from May to October and during bad weather, so if you come to the area when it's closed or if you just do not feel like going through this scenic road, there's another option to go north. Travel from Milstadt to Mallnitz-Obervellach, about half an hour's drive, and from there take a train to Bad Gastein. The train operates about 9 times a day and the journey takes about 15 minutes. When you arrive at Bad Gastein, you can pick up a new rental car and continue on...

Traveled here almost two decades ago now on one of my European vacations. Still this location stands out as a highlight of those travels. Enjoy views of a glacier even in the summer months! The views are spectacular. Enjoy the summer sun, mountain views, and perhaps a reminder of Christmas all in one stop. I recall well marked roads and a conveniently located parking garage. The walk to an observation area was close by. The highlight is taking in the view. In addition to taking in the majestic mountain view, there was the possibility to get refreshments and souvenirs. Some tourists were hiking into the valley and enjoying sports on the glacier so this could also be a potential vacation destination. We stopped by for maybe an hour or two while traveling between cities. The detour was well worth it and certainly a stop I would recommend adding to your itinerary. I recall the road collecting tolls just be prepared. In the summer all was in excellent condition but I can imagine these passages, as with all mountainous terrain, is likely to be hazardous during inclement weather especially in winter. Overall terrific spot! I highly recommend it for a 1-2 hour stop on your trip for family friendly sights seeing and a great opportunity for picnicking with a view, with the possibility of spending more time for the athletically inclined to hike onto and around...