The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is Austria’s most spectacular mountain drive, a 48-kilometer ribbon of asphalt that winds through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, climbing to 2,504 meters at its highest point. Built between 1930 and 1935 as a feat of engineering and national pride, the road crosses the main ridge of the Alps via 36 hairpin turns, passing through dramatically shifting landscapes that transition from lush valley meadows through Alpine pasture and pine forest to bare rock, glacial moraine, and permanent snowfields. At the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe viewpoint, the road terminates at a terrace facing the Pasterze Glacier and the summit of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak at 3,798 meters.

The journey is as much about the stops as the driving. Along the way, exhibition centers explore the ecology, geology, and history of the High Alps, while marked hiking trails of varying difficulty branch off into the national park. The Edelweisspitze, a short detour from the main road, provides a 360-degree panorama of more than 30 peaks over 3,000 meters. Marmots whistle from the rocky slopes, golden eagles circle overhead, and in early summer the high meadows explode with wildflowers including gentian, arnica, and the rare edelweiss. The road attracts not only motorists but also serious cyclists who consider it one of the great Alpine climbs.

Pro tip: Start early from the south side at Heiligenblut and drive northward for the most dramatic reveal of the glacier views. Stop at the Fuscher Torl pass for a quieter panorama before the crowds reach the more famous Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe. Bring warm layers regardless of the valley temperature, as conditions at the top can be 15 degrees cooler with strong winds. Cyclists should attempt the climb from Heiligenblut for the most rewarding gradient and views.