The Nationalpark Hohe Tauern is the biggest national park in Austria and one of the biggest in all Europe.

Understand

The national park covers the central alpine chain of the Hohe Tauern area, i.e. approximately from the Brenner Highway in the west to the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse(Großglockner Hochalpenstraße) road in the east. The most famous mountains in the park are Austria's highest peaks, Grossglockner (Großglockner) (3798 m), and the majestic, glacier surrounded Grossvenediger (Großvenediger) (3666 m).

Do

• Enjoy the views from Großglockner Hochalpenstraße (Grossglockner High Alpine Road), a toll road (33 € per car - July 2013) across the central alpine chain, connecting Fusch and Heiligenblut. Built in 1935, it is one of Austria's most scenic roads. Many parking areas and visitor platforms provide breathtaking views of the high alpine scenery on Austria's highest mountain, Großglockner (literally:Big Bell), its largest glacier, Pasterze glacier, and many other features. The road rises up to 2503 m above sea level and is only open from the beginning of May until the beginning of November. During the rest of the year it is covered with huge amounts of snow. There are two dead end roads that both end in scenic viewpoints. One goes to the 2571 m high Edelweißspitze, the other one to the visitor center on Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (2369 m) with views to the Pasterze glacier and Großglockner. The road is closed between 9.30PM and 5.00AM in the high season (between 15th of June and 15th of September) and between 8.00PM and 6.00AM otherwise. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing.

Should it be snowing on the top, and you have no 4×4 vehicle or snowchains, you will not be allowed to get on the road.

Sleep

• Chalet Charlotte, Zeller Fusch 146 (Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße), ☏ +43 69919040648. A cosy chalet holiday, comfortable, relaxed surroundings and delicious home-cooked cuisine washed down with complimentary wine ensures an unforgettable experience. A friendly, sociable atmosphere, the personal touch of your chalet hosts makes for a real 'home-from-home' atmosphere without the cooking, tidying up or cleaning! Cosy, 

Go next

• Fusch
• Gröbming
• Heiligenblut
• Krimml
• Matrei
• Kals
• Mittersill