Top 7 Mountain Passes around Nationalpark Hohe Tauern

The Großglockner High Alpine Road is arguably the most famous, offering 48 kilometers with 36 hairpin bends and leading to Austria's highest mountain. Another notable route is the Gerlos Alpine Road, which connects the Ziller Valley with the Pinzgau region and features elegant curves through varying alpine landscapes.

For breathtaking panoramas, consider the Großglockner High Alpine Road, especially from the Edelweißspitze viewpoint, which is the highest drivable point at 2,571 meters. The Fraganter Scharte also provides an impressive panorama in all directions, while Palfnerscharte (2,321 m) is praised by hikers for its great views.

Yes, the Großglockner High Alpine Road is a historic masterpiece of mountain road engineering. The Gerlos Pass also has historical significance as an old gold transport route. Additionally, the Korntauern Pass is known for its long historical path, crossing stone fields with views of Mallnitz and the Ankogel.

The region offers diverse natural beauty. Along the Großglockner High Alpine Road, you'll traverse four distinct vegetation zones, from valley forests to glacial regions, and can view the Pasterze Glacier. Near the Gerlos Pass, you'll find the impressive Krimml Waterfalls and rare raised bogs at the top of the pass. Many passes also offer views of surrounding peaks and alpine flora.

The Hohe Tauern National Park is home to unique alpine wildlife. Along the Großglockner High Alpine Road, visitors often spot marmots and ibex, especially in the higher elevations and protected areas.

While many passes involve challenging terrain, some viewpoints are accessible for families. For example, the View of Großelendscharte (2,674 m) is noted as family-friendly, offering a grand sight into the distance from the wide valley bottom of Seebachtal.

The mountain passes serve as gateways to numerous outdoor activities. You can find extensive hiking opportunities, including challenging routes like the Dösental Block Glacier Trail or the Approach to Hagener Hütte from the Jamnigalm. There are also mountaineering routes and gravel biking trails, such as the Mallnitz Village Center – Jamnigalm loop. For more details on routes, explore the Hiking around Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Mountain Hikes around Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, and Gravel biking around Nationalpark Hohe Tauern guides.

The best time to visit is generally during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn, when the roads are open and weather conditions are most favorable for driving, hiking, and enjoying the views. The Gerlos Pass, for instance, is accessible year-round, but summer offers the best conditions for hiking, while winter provides access to ski areas.

Visitors frequently praise the impressive panoramas and magnificent views in all directions, especially from high points like Fraganter Scharte and Palfnerscharte (2,321 m). The unique natural landscapes, from glacial regions to lush valleys, and the thrilling driving experiences on roads like the Großglockner High Alpine Road are also highly appreciated.

Absolutely. The Großglockner High Alpine Road itself is an engineering marvel, featuring the 311-meter Hochtor Pass tunnel at 2,504 meters, connecting Salzburg and Carinthia. The road was designed with tourism in mind, offering excellent quality and numerous viewpoints. The Gerlos Alpine Road, planned by the same engineer, Franz Wallack, also showcases elegant curves and a maximum gradient of nine percent for a pleasant driving experience.

Yes, many mountain passes serve as excellent starting points for hikes. For example, the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe on the Großglockner High Alpine Road is a popular starting point for trails like the Gamsgrubenweg or the Pasterze glacier trail. The Gerlos Pass also provides access to numerous hiking trails in the Hohe Tauern during summer.