Scenic Road Trip

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Austria's Roof at 2,504 Metres

km total

day

drive time

June–September

best season

Bruck (Salzburg) Heiligenblut (Carinthia)

Thirty-six hairpin bends carry the Grossglockner High Alpine Road up 48 km to 2,504 m, close enough to Austria’s highest peak and its largest glacier to feel the cold. Built in the 1930s, the road charges EUR 41.50 per car at the entry gates, and one day is enough for the round trip between June and September.

Quick Facts


Route	Bruck (Salzburg) to Heiligenblut (Carinthia)
Country	Austria
Distance	48 km
Recommended days	1
Total drive time	~2 hours
Best months	June–September
Toll cost	EUR 41.50 per car (2025 rate) — day pass, paid at entry gates
Est. fuel cost	~EUR 7
Motorway speed limit	130 km/h
Alcohol limit (BAC)	0.05
Drives on	Right

Top 5 Highlights

1. Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hoehe

The terrace viewpoint directly facing the Pasterze Glacier and Grossglockner summit (3,798 m)

2. Edelweissspitze

The highest point on the road (2,571 m) with a 360-degree panorama of 37 peaks over 3,000 m

3. Fuscher Toerl

Mountain saddle with an exhibition on the road’s construction and Alpine ecology

4. Pasterze Glacier

Austria’s largest glacier — accessible via funicular from the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hoehe

5. Alpine Marmots

Colonies of whistling marmots visible from roadside meadows on the Heiligenblut side

Road Conditions & Terrain

Terrain: Purpose-built mountain toll road with 36 hairpin bends, climbing to 2,504 m

Road type: Wide two-lane toll road with excellent surface, crash barriers, and photo pull-offs every few hundred metres

Best Time to Drive

Best months: June–September

Open early May to early November; marmots are most active in June–July mornings

Key Driving Rules

Austria requires a motorway vignette (EUR 9.90/10 days), but it’s NOT needed for the Grossglockner (separate toll). Speed limit on the mountain road is 70 km/h max but advisory limits of 30-40 km/h on hairpins. Headlights must be on. Winter tyres mandatory Nov 1 – Apr 15.

Speed Limits

Road Type	Limit
Urban	50 km/h
Rural/Open road	100 km/h
Motorway	130 km/h

Required Equipment

Warning triangle
Reflective vest
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher

Estimated Costs

Item	Cost
Fuel (petrol, round trip)	~EUR 7
Tolls/vignette	EUR 41.50 per car (2025 rate) — day pass, paid at entry gates
Petrol price (per litre)	~$1.65 USD
Diesel price (per litre)	~$1.55 USD

Practical Tips

Arrive at the toll gate by 8 AM to beat tour buses and enjoy empty hairpins
The Edelweissspitze spur road to 2,571 m is narrow but unmissable — highest drivable point
Bring warm clothes for the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hoehe — it’s often near freezing even in July
The toll is per car per day — you can drive up and down as many times as you want
Motorcyclists get a discount toll rate and the road is legendary in the biking community

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road covers 48 km and takes approximately 2 hours of pure driving time. We recommend 1 days to enjoy the highlights and stops along the way.

The best months are June–September. Open early May to early November; marmots are most active in June–July mornings

EUR 41.50 per car (2025 rate) — day pass, paid at entry gates

See toll costs and payment options

Austria drives on the right side of the road.

The blood alcohol limit in Austria is 0.05 BAC.

Check your blood alcohol limit