GROSSGLOCKNER, AUSTRIA

Gerhard enthusiastically encouraged us to drive up the Grossglockner and so we thought we would.  We planned an hour or so for the trip, but Gerhard assured us it would take all day.  He also suggested that we get an early start to beat the crowds.  Gosh!  It is September.  Isn’t this the shoulder season?  Why would there be a crowd?

So, Tuesday morning off we went, bright and early, to visit the huge, snow-capped peak.  Gerhard had given us a map with the most important stops circled, so we decided to follow his recommendation. 

We drove up through the cute village of Fusch and on to the entrance to the famous national park--the Grossglockner.  Yowza!! 30euro at the Kasse.  Pretty pricey.  Oh well, we are in for the ride now.

We started up the mountain, past the Piffkar, the Hochmais, and the Haus Alpine Naturschau to the Edelweiss-Spitze.  Here we stopped and admired the magnificent panorama of 30 snowcapped mountain peaks rising to 3000 meters. 

As we continued on up the mountain road we saw many, many cyclists, backpacks stuffed with warm clothing for the ride down.  They were steadily pumping up the huge mountain, determined to reach the Fuscher Torl.

We stopped at several pullouts along the way, appreciating the story boards telling us about the geography, history, the terrain, the flora and the fauna.  One stop was dedicated to the history of motorcycling on the mountain.  There was very interesting information about the long history of cycle races up the Grossglockner and lots of photos.  Again, the location offered stunning views.

Switchback after switchback, we climbed and climbed up the mountain.  We finally arrived at the famous glacier--the Kaiser Franz Joseph Hohe.  The visitors center had very interesting exhibits about the glacier and how it has been shrinking over the years, the animal life in the region, the motorcycle and auto races held over the the last 125 years.  There was a nice museum of old vehicles used during these races--old tractors from 1894, old autos and motorcycles. 

We hiked up a tunnel to higher and higher view points along the glacier.  In the tunnel we learned some of the folklore about the mountain peaks and how they got their names. 

In the end the visit to the Grossglockner did take us the whole day.  And it was worth it.  So much interesting history, information, beautiful scenery.  A very worthwhile visit, and worth the 30 euros.