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

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

How do I get to Grossglockner?

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.

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Alpe-Adria-Trail: Grossglockner to Mallnitz

6 days / 5 nights

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Discover the Alps' heart on the Alpe Adria Trail: a journey through majestic peaks, historic sites, and serene pilgrimage paths enriched by local culture.

Starting point

Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

Finish point

Mallnitz

Season

June - September

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Discover the Alps' heart on the Alpe Adria Trail: a journey through majestic peaks, historic sites, and serene pilgrimage paths enriched by local culture.

Choose your style

Self-guided from 1.079 €/person

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Discover the Alps' heart on the Alpe Adria Trail: a journey through majestic peaks, historic sites, and serene pilgrimage paths enriched by local culture.

Starting point

Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

Finish point

Mallnitz

Season

June - September

Technical level

2/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Inn-to-Inn

Traverse past Austria's highest peaks like Grossglockner, and witness the majestic beauty of the Pasterze Glacier
Discover the rich tapestry of history and legend in Heiligenblut of gold miners and ancient relics
Experience the harmony of nature and culture at the traditional mountain farming landscapes of Apriach
Embrace the serene spirituality of Austria's highest pilgrimage church at Marterle
Marvel at the engineering and historical allure of ancient gold mining trails
Witness the awe-inspiring Jungfernsprung waterfall and the landscapes of the Hohe Tauern National Park

Itinerary of the trip

Begin your journey amidst the splendor of Austria's highest peaks and the Pasterze Glacier, setting the stage for a trail steeped in natural wonders and historical mystique. Traverse past the emerald waters of Lake Sandersee, marvel at the grandeur of the Gößnitz Waterfall, and discover the tranquil Briccius Chapel, nestled in a powerful landscape said to heal. Your path unwinds through the Haritzersteig, leading to Heiligenblut, a village rich in gold mining lore and home to a relic of profound significance: a vial of Saint Briccius' blood, a testament to faith and legend woven into the fabric of this sacred land.

Hiking

13.6 km and 110 m of elevation gain / 1200 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Embrace the harmonious blend of culture and nature as you depart from Heiligenblut. Journey through landscapes marked by historical gold mining sites and the architectural marvels of mountain farms. The trail offers a picturesque view of the Apriach mills, standing as a testament to agricultural resilience. Revel in the breathtaking sights of the Grossglockner and the majestic Jungfernsprung waterfall, culminating your day in Döllach, a nexus of alpine heritage and the guardianship of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Hiking

13 km and 450 m of elevation gain / 740 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Ascend towards Marterle, home to Austria's highest sanctuary church, an emblem of devotion set against the backdrop of Carinthia's majestic peaks. This stage weaves through rivers, quaint villages, and dense forests, opening up to panoramic views of the Glockner range and the imposing Schober massif. It's a pilgrimage of spirit and scenery, leading to a place where faith and the grandeur of nature converge in serene harmony.

Hiking

18.5 km and 950 m of elevation gain / 140 m of elevation loss

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Descend from Marterle through enchanting alpine pastures and whispering forests to Stall im Mölltal, tracing the footsteps of pilgrims past. This journey, rich in tranquility and natural splendor, connects you deeply with the landscape and its historical roots in spirituality. The old pilgrimage paths offer a tangible link to the traditions that have shaped this land and its people, embodying the enduring allure of the Alpe Adria Trail.

Hiking

12 km and 90 m of elevation gain / 1100 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Venture from Stall to Innerfragant, traversing paths that narrate stories of ancient castles, secluded schools, and bygone mining days. This leg invites you to explore the legacy of Wildegg Castle and the life of mountain farmers, before delving into the silent tales of copper miners along the "mine track". It's a stage that harmoniously blends the echoes of history with the timeless beauty of alpine pastures, offering a glimpse into the heart of the region's past and present.

Hiking

20 km and 1100 m of elevation gain / 840 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Conclude your journey through the Möll Valley, ascending towards the Staneralm alpine pasture, where breathtaking vistas unfold, leading you to Mallnitz, the jewel of the National Park. This final leg celebrates the enduring charm of mountain farming and the allure of untouched landscapes, inviting reflection on the simplicity and richness of alpine life. It's a fitting end to a journey that not only traverses landscapes but also weaves through the tapestry of time, culture, and nature's unyielding beauty.

Hiking

23 km and 1050 m of elevation gain / 940 m of elevation gain

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

5 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

Head on a breathtaking journey through the heart of the Alps with our meticulously curated Alpe Adria Trail adventure, spanning the first six enchanting stages, and discover the soul-stirring beauty and profound history of the region.

From the shadow of the Grossglockner, Austria's towering sentinel, to the tranquil waters of Lake Sandersee, each step on this trail unveils natural wonders that leave you in awe.

Marvel at the mighty Gößnitz Waterfall and tread softly past the serene Briccius Chapel, where legends of healing and history whisper in the mountain air.

Journey through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park, where the legacy of mountain farming and gold mining enriches the landscape. The trail leads you past ancient mills in Apriach, silent sentinels of a bygone era, and through Döllach, where the past lives in harmony with the present.

Ascend to Marterle, Austria's highest pilgrimage church, and feel the spiritual resonance that permeates this sacred ground. The trail offers a glimpse into the soul of a region defined by faith, beauty, and the relentless passage of time.

As you immerse yourself in the stunning vistas and rich history of the Alps, we ensure a hassle-free journey every step of the way.

Our comprehensive service includes booking your accommodations in the most charming and comfortable locations along the trail and providing a personalized digital guidebook with all the essential details about your tour.

We also deliver GPS navigation through a user-friendly phone app to guide you through each scenic path and ensure round-the-clock support during your hike.

We've taken care of all the logistics so you can fully engage with the beauty and spirit of the Alpe Adria Trail, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Map

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.