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.

Rock climber on Studlgrat ridge on Grossglockner, highest mountain in Austria

Wonderful morning during the ascent over the Studlgrat ridge on the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria. Hohe Tauern, Alps,

Rock climber on Studlgrat ridge on Grossglockner, highest mountain in Austria. Concept of alpine rock climbing.

highest mountain in Austria, Grossglocker

Amazing view from the highest peak of Austria. Stunning photo of the Grossglockner (Großglockner), highest mountain of Austria.

Hiking on glacier to Grossglockner peak via Studlgrat, Tyrol, Austria

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Grossglockner Guided Climb - Stüdlgrat Ridge

2 days / 1 nights

Join our expert-led 2-day ascent of Grossglockner via the Studlgrat ridge, a demanding climb designed for experienced mountaineers seeking technical routes.

Starting point

Lucknerhaus

Finish point

Lucknerhaus

Season

From June to October

Technical level

5/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Join our expert-led 2-day ascent of Grossglockner via the Studlgrat ridge, a demanding climb designed for experienced mountaineers seeking technical routes.

Starting point

Lucknerhaus

Finish point

Lucknerhaus

Season

From June to October

Technical level

5/5

Fitness level

4/5

Tour type

Hut-to-Hut

Highlights

Tackle the Studlgrat ridge on Grossglockner, a more technical climb than the normal route
Conquer technical challenges, reaching III+ on the UIAA scale, making for an exhilarating ascent on Austria's highest peak
Experience the unique thrill of navigating Grossglockner's Stüdlgrat, combining rock climbing with high-altitude mountaineering
Enjoy expert guidance from IFMGA-certified guides, ensuring a safe climb across demanding terrain
Relish in unparalleled views from the summit, looking out over the Eastern Alps' prominent peaks
Witness the sunrise over the Pasterze Glacier as you ascend the Studlgrat ridge

Itinerary of the trip

Your Grossglockner climbing adventure begins at Lucknerhaus, the starting point for most expeditions aiming to summit Austria’s highest peak. Depending on your preferences, your guide will pick you up there or at Stüdlhütte, where you’ll spend the night before making tomorrow’s final ascent along the Stüdlgrat ridge. The section to Stüdlhütte isn’t technically challenging. Therefore, there’s no problem in undertaking it alone.

Hiking

5 km and 900 m of elevation gain

Accommodation

Stüdlhütte mountain hut below rocky peaks on sunny day, foreground rocks.

Stüdlhütte mountain hut with curved metal roof beside rocky peak and patches of snow under clear blue sky.

Stüdlhütte

Note: Listed accommodations are subject to availability; we will find similar alternatives if necessary.

Gallery

Alpine meadow with stone huts, green slopes, and snow-capped Grossglockner mountain.

Men is walking on a road to Studlhutte shelter below Grossglockn

Snowbound Stüdlhütte in the alps, Austria

The interesting part of the climb awaits you today. The Stüdlgrat ridge branches off from the normal route at the hut, so you’ll avoid most of the crowds, which will take the less technically challenging path across the Pasterze Glacier. With the technical difficulties reaching III+ on the UIAA scale, you’ll need a good head for heights and some climbing prowess to tackle the ridge. Upon reaching the summit, you’ll descend via the normal route, passing Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte and Stüdlhütte before returning to the starting point at Lucknerhaus.

Hiking

12 km and 1000 m of elevation gain / 1900 m of elevation loss

Gallery

Glacier hiking toward Grossglockner peak via Studlgrat with small figures on ice.

Climbers ascending a steep rock face on Grossglockner ridge above snow and alpine valleys.

FREE ITINERARY

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What’s included in the price?

Guided

Professional IFMGA-licensed mountain guide

Climbing harness

Helmet

NOT INCLUDED

1-night stay in Stüdlhütte

Tourist tax

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
Crampons (available for rent)
Ice axe (available for rent)
Extra cash for food and accommodation

Join a thrilling 2-day ascent of Austria's towering Grossglockner via the challenging Stüdlgrat ridge, designed for experienced climbers seeking a venture beyond the conventional paths. Experience the raw magnificence of alpine mountaineering, navigating a route marked by glaciers and sheer granite faces.

Starting amidst the vibrant alpine meadows, your path quickly escalates to a high-altitude adventure as you approach the vast Pasterze Glacier.

The journey intensifies as you tackle the Stüdlgrat ridge, a demanding climb that tests your climbing prowess and head for heights with technical difficulties reaching III+ on the UIAA scale.

The pinnacle of your climb rewards you with unparalleled views of the Eastern Alps, with the Glocknerwand and the Kleinglockner in close company, enhancing the sense of achievement felt at Austria's highest summit.

The key waypoint on your ascent is the Stüdlhütte, where you'll spend the night amid the stars.

Accompanied by our IFMGA-certified guides, each with extensive knowledge of the Stüdlgrat route and a commitment to safety, climbers are assured guidance through the most technical sections of the ascent.

To ensure a seamless experience, we manage all logistical details, including accommodation bookings at high-altitude huts and necessary transfers.

Additionally, we provide equipment rental options for essential gear like crampons, ice axes, and climbing harnesses, ensuring you're fully equipped to face the rigors of the Stüdlgrat.

Prepare for an extraordinary adventure that ascends the Grossglockner and challenges the limits of your climbing abilities.

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.

Ratings & Reviews

Ann Swainson

Verified customer

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

Alpine lake with turquoise water surrounded by rocky slopes and green pine forest under blue sky.

Four hikers posing by a clear green alpine lake surrounded by rocky, forested mountains

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Hikers on rocky trail descending toward alpine meadow with pine forest and white mountain peak.

Robert Backlund

Verified customer

Our Guide Luka was amazing! And the three-day hike was a Memory for life, really beautiful. Cant recommend it enough.

Hiking trail winding through grassy alpine meadow with scattered rocks and distant mountains

Rocky mountain trail overlook with wooden signpost and steep valley view under blue sky.

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Hikers traversing rocky mountain ridge above sea of clouds under blue sky

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Birgit Kindler

Verified customer

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

Dark green alpine lake surrounded by dense pine forest and grassy meadow.

Mountain overlook with trail sign, lake, and valley below under dramatic clouds

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Rustic wooden mountain hut with Slovenian flag under blue sky with clouds

Rebecca Lawson

Verified customer

Our 3 day hike had to be rearranged 2/2 weather, so a one day hike was arranged for us. We appreciated the concern about weather and conditions. Our hike was with Matevz, who was a great guide. Very helpful and knowledgable. Would definitely recommend and will be back for a longer hike one day!

Nicole Cocks

Verified customer

This trip was organized with every detail considered. Our accommodation, most meals and routes were planned each day which is perfect when the region is unknown and you have not completed a multi-day hike before. We had a great time!

Olivia Berriff

Verified customer

Excellently organised and the apps worked brilliantly without data/roaming. This was expertly managed by Sara and we had the best time in full confidence that we were in great hands.