Grossglockner Road Attractions Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse

Although this route through the Alps was used by the Romans it was thereafter forgotten for many centuries, and it was only in the 20th C., when the automobile came into its own, that the decision was made to build a panoramic road. Constructed by Fritz Wallack (1887-1966), it runs for 22km/13.5mi through the mountains at an altitude of over 2,000m/6,500ft. A long succession of turns lead up to the summit tunnel on the Hochtor (2,506m/8,222ft) and down into the valley on the far side. The total distance from Bruck to Heiligenblut is 48km/30mi, with a maximum gradient of 12% (1 in 8). A toll road, it is normally open throughout its entire length during the summer months, continuing into October (the period varying according to snow conditions).