Recently it feels like every conversation we have somehow ends up on the topic of Austria. We seem to have developed a bit of a love affair with the country, obviously stemming from our ski season. It was also the place we spent most of our time during our road-trip across Europe this summer. Despite the road-trip being nothing like we imagined, Austria still had us wanting to stay forever.
Snow falling or sun blazing we quite simply love the country.
From campsite just outside of Lienz, we were not far from the famous Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria. We’d spent much of the winter hearing about this mountain and the amazing trips you could take there in the summer, so choosing to spend a day driving The Grossglockner High Alpine Road was an easy decision.
The High Alpine Road takes you through the Hohe Tauern National Park with plenty of stops to park up, take pictures and enjoy the view. You may, like us, find yourself stopping so often due to the incredible views that it feels like you’re never going to reach the end of the road.
You’ll also come across the Grosglockners glacier, the Pasterze, at the main visitor centre which despite looking very busy usually has enough parking to cope with the crowds, all desperate to take in the views. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes on route to enjoy, some in particular with prime locations overlooking the highlights of the alpine road. These along with marked walks in the national park mean you can easily spend a day here being blown away by the beauty of the mountains.
With that in mind, here are the pictures to demonstrate what I couldn’t possibly put into words.
A view good enough for anyone (or dog)
The Details
Entrance Fee: 34.50 Euros (for a standard private car)
Opening times:
Beginning of May until 15 June: 6 am – 8 pm
16 June until 15 September: 5 am – 9.30 pm
16 September until end of October/beginning of November: 6 am – 7.30 pm
Have you driven this road before? Or perhaps you know of an even better drive we could do?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, that is one stunning scenic drive. I would love find some hikes to do along that route. I am sure it is hard to make time on a road like that with all the stops to take pictures.
Traveling Ted´s last blog post ..Theodore Roosevelt National Park photo essay
There are bound to be some fantastic hikes in the area, It’s a shame Kirsty’s knee operation prevented us from getting to try one of them out. One for the future!
Hi Poi,
Love this post! Love the photos. Can’t wait to be in Austria. Wish we had a bit of transition from the Philippines weather to November weather in Austria. I imagine by the time we get there the mountains in your photos will be full of snow! We’ll have to send you some once we get out there, or better yet come back!
Thanks again Poi!
Safe travels,
Mark
Mark´s last blog post ..Ultimate Packing Tips and checklist for Long term travel
Oh wow yeah, it will be a bit of a change arriving into Austria at that time of yeah. Hopefully for all the skiers there should be plenty of snow around by then, last year it was quite late so I think people are hopeful for a lot this year.
Hope you’ve got plenty of thermals!
Hi Poi, “Wow” the place looks amazing, keen on visiting Austria after looking at the pictures.
Larry Adams´s last blog post ..An Island Life: How to make yourself at home in Jamaica
We’re obsessed, can’t recommend it enough.
Wow! These images look absolutely sensational! You’re right, words definately dont give it justice!
My partner and I are planning a trip to Austria, how long would you suggest is needed to enjoy this drive comfortably? 🙂
You can easily enjoy most of the drive in a single day and that’s including a few relaxing stops. We were only there a few hours and got to see plenty so I’d say a full day would be perfect.