Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe at 2,369 m

From the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe to the Pasterze

Finally arrived at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, out of the car. The drive over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was already a highlight, but now it's about to get even more exciting. So this is it, the Pasterze, the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps. When it was first built, the historic glacier cable car led right up to the eternal ice. Today, a 2-hour walk is necessary before we reach the glacier - the ice has receded considerably.

Hike along the glacier path

The Pasterze, the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps, is the destination of this magnificent National Park hiking trail. The glacier trail leads through magnificent scenery to the so-called Hufeisenbruch, the huge glacier quarry that releases the waters of the still young Möll River and lays the foundation for this famous Carinthian river. The hike starts at the Glocknerhaus, directly on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. After a walking time of approx. 4 hours and an altitude difference of approx. 400 m, you have reached your destination. A wonderful, technically easy hike that requires surefootedness. Suitable for children aged 10 and over - best time of year July - October. Our tip: join a guided tour with a national park ranger.

Fact box Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe owes its name to Emperor Franz Joseph I, who visited this vantage point in 1856 together with his wife, Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), and hiked from there to the Pasterze.
The visitor center awaits you on 1,500 m² with exhibitions about the world of the high mountains, the Pasterze and the Hohe Tauern National Park habitat
You will also find Austria's highest automobile & motorcycle exhibition there
Experience the breathtaking Grossglockner Cinema, which inspires with its majestic backdrop, as well as the exhibition "Sepp Forcher - Between Words and Peaks"
The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe is the starting point of the long-distance Alpe Adria Trail, which leads through three countries to Muggia (Trieste).

Historic Glacier Railway

First put into operation in September 1963, the glacier lift started directly at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe and at that time still ran to the edge of the Pasterzen glacier. Since 2025, after 61 years of operation, the historic funicular has been closed. Today, the 522 steps leading down from the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe have to be climbed yourself. From there, after a 60-minute walk, you reach 9 km of eternal ice, all in the face of the 3,798 m high Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain. Long-distance hikers also get their money's worth here in this fantastic landscape; the famous Alpe-Adria-Trail starts directly at the Pasterze and leads all the way to the distant Adriatic.

So, do you think you absolutely have to set foot on the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps?

A good idea, nowhere else is the Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak, closer than at this location. Unless you climb its summit!

For more information & details about your vacation, please contact us or send us a non-binding vacation inquiry. We are also at your disposal by telephone on +43 4824 2700-20.

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Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe at 2,369 m

Hike along the glacier path

Fact box Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe

Historic Glacier Railway

So, do you think you absolutely have to set foot on the largest glacier in the Eastern Alps?

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