Grossglockner | The Highest Mountain in Austria!

The Grossglockner, or “The Great Bell,” is the highest mountain in Austria. It soars to a height of 3,798 meters above sea level and is part of the Hohe Tauern mountain range.

Hohe Tauern National Park, home to the Grossglockner peak, is one of Austria’s most stunning regions. Spanning 1,800 square kilometers across Salzburg, Carinthia, and Tyrol, it contains 300 mountains over 3,000 meters high, 342 glaciers, and 551 lakes scattered among the peaks.

Grossglockner itself lies on the border between Tyrol and Carinthia. On its eastern side stretches the Pasterze Glacier, about 9 kilometers long and the largest glacier in Austria. Located within the Glockner Group of the Hohe Tauern range, the glacier has been shrinking steadily—its length decreases by at least 10 meters each year, and its total volume has halved since measurements first began in 1851.

The summit of the mountain features two pyramid-shaped peaks: Grossglockner and the slightly lower Kleinglockner (3,770 meters above sea level). The mountain’s dark rock has earned it the nickname “Black Mountain,” and legend says a powerful black crystal lies hidden inside, giving it its mysterious strength.

The forests, slopes, and vast expanses of vegetation make the Grossglockner a wonderful place for wildlife. It’s not surprising to see marmots and mountain cows roaming freely in the open areas. Predators like golden eagles also live in this region and can be seen flying at high altitudes, searching for worthy prey. The steep slopes are not suitable for agriculture, but the rich hay produced from them helps feed the animals in the surrounding valleys.

The Grossglockner and the neighboring peaks are snow-covered for most of the year. When summer arrives and the snow melts, vast amounts of water cascade down the mountainsides into crystal-clear lakes, forming dramatic waterfalls like the Krimml Waterfalls. This pure mountain water is drinkable and is also used to power turbines that generate electricity for local communities.

This is what the view in the Grossglockner area looks like

The Village of Kals am Grossglockner

The most well-known settlement in the Grossglockner area is the small village of Kals. This is the village from which the first climbing expedition to the mountain’s summit set out, and to this day, many climbers begin their arduous journey to the peak from here. The village is located at the foot of the Grossglockner, close to the border with Salzburg and Carinthia. The Kalserbach river flows near the village.

Recommended Hiking Trail in the Grossglockner Area

Hike from Kals am Grossglockner – Lucknerhaus:

This trail requires good physical fitness but is not particularly challenging in terms of terrain. Even children from the age of 10 can do it. The trail initially passes through a forest and then along the large grassy expanses of the Greiwiesen area. From the open spaces, you can see the Kalser valley and the impressive Figerhorn peak. The final part of the trail is a descent towards Lucknerhaus, offering views of the Grossglockner peak.

• Starting Point: The car park at Lucknerhaus
• Ending Point: The car park at Lucknerhaus
• Trail Length: Approximately 10 kilometers
• Hiking Time: 4.5 hours
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

Trail Description:

From the Lucknerhaus guesthouse, walk along the gravel road towards the Glorerhütte mountain hut. After the hut, continue along the trail and turn left at the first fork. From there, cross the grassy fields with a slight ascent. At the next fork, turn right and continue down towards the Leitertal valley (there will be some sections with ropes, but they are not too difficult).

A short climb from there will lead to the Salmhütte hut. From the hut, continue down the path through the valley and its streams. Here, the path begins to climb again towards the Pfortscharte Notch. The path becomes winding, and at the first fork, stay on the right-hand trail. The trail continues up the valley, and at the end, at another fork, choose the lower path and walk until you reach the next fork, where you should continue straight and not descend.

The trail continues to a place called Viehböden, and from there, you descend on the winding path. From there, a walk through fields and along the stream leads to the Lucknerhütte hut. From this point, walk along the gravel road through the valley until you return to the Lucknerhaus guesthouse.

Climbing to the Grossglockner Summit

From the side of the village of Kals am Grossglockner, it is possible to climb the mountain. The route begins with a 2.5-hour ascent from the Lucknerhaus guesthouse towards the Lucknerhütte mountain hut. From there, you continue climbing towards Stüdlhütte and then towards the Erzherzog Johann Hütte (another two and a half hours). This hut is where climbers usually stay overnight.

From the hut, it is another 1.5-hour climb to the summit of the Grossglockner. The way back down to the Lucknerhaus takes about 3.5 hours.

• Starting Point: The car park at Lucknerhaus
• Ending Point: The car park at Lucknerhaus
• Hiking Time: Approximately 9 hours (it is advisable to plan for an overnight stay before the final ascent to the summit)
• Difficulty Level: Difficult – Very Difficult

Think you’re ready for a climb to 3,798 meters? This is what a summit climb looks like

If you don’t want to hike in nature but still want to enjoy the views of the Grossglockner, you can drive on the Kals Glocknerstraße road, which connects the village of Kals am Grossglockner to the Ködnitztal area. The road passes by the Lucknerhaus guesthouse and offers fantastic views and a viewpoint of the impressive Grossglockner peak.

Do not confuse this with the Grossglockner High Alpine Road – that is a different route located in the state of Salzburg. If you would like to read more about the High Alpine Road, which is considered one of the most popular attractions in Austria, you can do so in our extended article on that region.