Why we love it
Großglockner gives a mountain ride room to build. The valleys fall away, the bends keep coming and the landscape opens from green slopes into a world of rock, snow and high peaks. Every climb changes the scale of the view.
There is a satisfying rhythm to this road: a hairpin that asks for care, a stretch that lets the bike settle, then another turn revealing something bigger. Across Hochtor, the mountains feel close enough to fill the visor. The pleasure comes from riding with attention and leaving time to stop.
Those stops are part of the experience. The Edelweiss-Spitze spur brings its own tighter challenge and a sweeping mountain panorama. The road to Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe leads towards the Großglockner and the Pasterze glacier, giving the day a destination as memorable as the riding.
For Alpine Roads, this is exactly what a hero road should offer: character, variety and a real sense of journey. It earns its place through the complete experience, from the climb out of the valley to the moment you switch off the engine and take in the mountains. Allow it space in the day. This is a road to savour.
The ride
The operator describes 48 km of Alpine road and 36 bends, with the Hochtor tunnel linking the Salzburg and Carinthian sides. The climb mixes tighter turns with stretches where the bike can settle into its rhythm. The separate Edelweiss-Spitze spur adds partly cobbled riding and its own summit viewpoint; choose it to suit the conditions and the group.
The scenery
The ride moves through forest and Alpine pasture into exposed high mountain terrain. Edelweiss-Spitze opens a panorama of peaks; Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe gives views towards Austria's highest mountain, the Großglockner, and the Pasterze glacier.
Alpine Roads tip
For a northbound crossing, approach from Heiligenblut and leave time for the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe detour before continuing through Hochtor. Give the viewpoints space in the day. Choose a clear-weather window within the operator’s opening hours and check motorcycle access that morning.
Rider character
Iconic and scenic, with technical moments. A ride for measured cornering, patient descents and generous viewpoint stops.
Pairs perfectly with
Gerlos Alpenstraße
A contrasting scenic road for a broader Salzburg–Tyrol journey.
Nockalmstraße
A gentler landscape and a different rhythm on a wider Carinthian itinerary.
Ideas for a wider journey. We shape the combination around the full riding day.
Which roads would you love to ride?
Send Chris a question or book a call, and we’ll help you choose your Alpine Roads tour. Mention Großglockner High Alpine Road and any other roads you’d love to ride.