Q: Do I need a guide to climb Grossglockner?

If you have no previous mountaineering experience or proper alpinistic educatio n, you’re most likely not ready to undertake Grossglockner by yourself . Therefore, acquiring a guide is a step in the right direction if you want to get off the mountain in one piece. The guide has essential skills like glacier crossings and belay and rappelling techniques. Without these, you cannot safely ascend and descend the Grossglockner.

Q: Will I be alone on the mountain?

Grossglockner is a very popular mountain , attracting thousands of climbers every year . Consequently, the chance that you’d be alone on the mountain is virtually nonexistent , especially during summer. It’s much likelier that you’ll have lots of company, even in your group, as each guide can lead up to 3 clients on the mountain. If you prefer to hire a guide individually, you’ll have to pay a higher price.

Q: Can I get altitude sickness?

It depends on how well you are acclimated to the altitude. Normally, an altitude of 3500-4000 meters shouldn't be severely problematic but can cause some issues for climbers who are physically less prepared. Therefore, climbers usually take two days to summit the Grossglockner, allowing themselves enough time to acclimatize.

Q: I count myself as an advanced mountaineer. Is there anything for me?

If you don’t think the normal route presents enough of a challenge to you, then you can try summiting the Grossglockner along the Stüdlgrat ridge , which includes sections of III+ climbing grade per UIAA, or book a ski-touring ascent if you’re a skilled off-piste skier.

Q: Where will I sleep?

Depending on availability , your ascent of the Grossglockner includes lodging at Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte or Stüdlhütte . Both provide basic accommodation and meals, allowing climbers to gather their strengths before the final push towards the summit.

Q: How far in advance do I have to book?

Given its extreme popularity and dependence on the availability of one of the two mountain huts, we would suggest booking a tour with us as much as six months in advance so that we can guarantee a spot for you.

Question 1

Do I need a guide to climb Grossglockner?

Accepted Answer

If you have no previous mountaineering experience or proper alpinistic education, you’re most likely not ready to undertake Grossglockner by yourself. Therefore, acquiring a guide is a step in the right direction if you want to get off the mountain in one piece. The guide has essential skills like glacier crossings and belay and rappelling techniques. Without these, you cannot safely ascend and descend the Grossglockner.

Question 2

Who will be my guide?

Accepted Answer

Our agency works with various experienced IFMGA-licensed guides. All of them meet the highest standards in mountain climbing and guiding, with 10+ years of experience in this field. You can check them out on Our Mountain Guides page.

Question 3

Will I be alone on the mountain?

Accepted Answer

Grossglockner is a very popular mountain, attracting thousands of climbers every year. Consequently, the chance that you’d be alone on the mountain is virtually nonexistent, especially during summer. It’s much likelier that you’ll have lots of company, even in your group, as each guide can lead up to 3 clients on the mountain. If you prefer to hire a guide individually, you’ll have to pay a higher price.

Question 4

How dangerous is Grossglockner?

Accepted Answer

Grossglockner isn’t among the most dangerous mountains in the world, as many people safely summit it annually. The only danger could stem from ignorance of the mountain world and your own lack of skills. By joining a guided tour, you rule out 99% of the possibility of a life-threatening mistake.

Question 5

Can I get altitude sickness?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how well you are acclimated to the altitude. Normally, an altitude of 3500-4000 meters shouldn't be severely problematic but can cause some issues for climbers who are physically less prepared. Therefore, climbers usually take two days to summit the Grossglockner, allowing themselves enough time to acclimatize.

Question 6

I count myself as an advanced mountaineer. Is there anything for me?

Accepted Answer

If you don’t think the normal route presents enough of a challenge to you, then you can try summiting the Grossglockner along the Stüdlgrat ridge, which includes sections of III+ climbing grade per UIAA, or book a ski-touring ascent if you’re a skilled off-piste skier.

Question 7

Where will I sleep?

Accepted Answer

Depending on availability, your ascent of the Grossglockner includes lodging at Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte or Stüdlhütte. Both provide basic accommodation and meals, allowing climbers to gather their strengths before the final push towards the summit.

Question 8

How far in advance do I have to book?

Accepted Answer

Given its extreme popularity and dependence on the availability of one of the two mountain huts, we would suggest booking a tour with us as much as six months in advance so that we can guarantee a spot for you.

Question 9

I want to visit Grossglockner, but I do not want to climb it. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

If climbing the Grossglockner presents too big of a challenge to you, then you can look into booking one of our hut-to-hut hiking tours, which can be done without a guide:

The Glockner Trail
Alpe-Adria-Trail: Grossglockner to Mallnitz
3-day Hohe Tauern Hut-to-Hut Hike

Question 10

How do I get to Grossglockner?

Accepted Answer

Most people begin their ascent of the Grossglockner from the starting point above Kals am Grossglockner, Lucknerhaus. There’s a large parking space there, meaning you can access it on an asphalt road by car. Getting to Kals is fairly easy by taking a train from one of the nearest airports, such as Munich and Innsbruck.

Hiking Inquiry

Have questions? Talk to us.