Top 20 Mountain Passes in High Tauern

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is Austria's most impressive panoramic road, offering breathtaking views and leading to the Grossglockner. The Gerlos Pass connects Salzburg with the Zillertal valley and is known for its natural beauty and proximity to the Krimml Waterfalls. The Felbertauern Pass, primarily via its tunnel, provides a convenient and scenic connection to East Tyrol.

Most mountain passes in the High Tauern region are best visited from early May to late October. During early summer, especially on roads like the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, you can experience towering snow walls. Some passes, like the Staller Saddle, are closed during winter months, typically from November to mid-May, due to snow.

Yes, several passes have rich historical significance. The Untere Pfandlscharte is a historically significant crossing point from the Pinzgau region into the Mölltal valley. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road was used as a trade path by Celts and Romans 3,500 years ago, and the Felbertauern was an important trade route during the Middle Ages. The Krimmler Tauern Pass is also a historical transition over the main Alpine ridge.

The High Tauern passes offer diverse natural beauty. You can see glaciers and snowfields, over 30 peaks exceeding three thousand meters along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The Gerlos Pass area features rare raised bogs and the impressive Krimml Waterfalls. At the Staller Saddle, you'll find the idyllic mountain lake Obersee, while the Kalser Tauern Pass is surrounded by deep blue lakes, white glaciers, and rugged peaks with marvelous alpine flora and fauna.

Absolutely. The High Tauern region is ideal for challenging hikes. The Kalser Tauern Pass (Kalser Törl) is primarily a hiking route, accessible from the Stubachtal and Kapruner Tal, offering a rewarding experience amidst pristine alpine wilderness. The Zopetscharte Pass, at 2,958 meters, marks the highest point of the Venediger Höhenweg, connecting alpine bases on the south side of the group.

The Staller Saddle (Staller Sattel/Passo Stalle) offers a unique driving experience due to its narrow road on the Italian side, which operates with a one-way traffic light system. Traffic from Austria is permitted during the first 15 minutes of each hour, while traffic from Italy is allowed from the 30th to the 45th minute. This pass forms the border between Austria and Italy.

The High Tauern region offers a wide range of outdoor activities. You can find excellent gravel biking routes, such as the 'Magnificent view – Hochtor loop from Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße'. For road cycling, consider the 'Fuscherkarkopf – Grossglockner High Alpine Road loop'. There are also numerous MTB trails, including 'To the Kreealmen in Hüttschlag'.

Yes, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is designed with tourism in mind and features numerous viewpoints. A notable detour leads to the Edelweissspitze viewpoint (2,571 m), providing exceptional 360-degree vistas. The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe visitors' center (2,369 m) offers direct views of the Pasterze Glacier and the Grossglockner massif.

Yes, the High Tauern region, especially within the Hohe Tauern National Park, is home to diverse wildlife. Along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, you can often spot marmots and ibex. The Kalser Dorfertal valley, leading to the Kalser Tauernhaus, is known for chamois sightings, offering a chance to observe these animals in their natural alpine habitat.

The Klammljoch Pass, also known as Passo the Gola, is an alpine crossing between the Rieserfernergruppe and the Venediger group. It connects villages in South Tyrol with St. Jakob in Defereggental and offers very nice views of both East and South Tyrol. It's also a worthwhile snowshoe destination in winter.

The Türmljoch (2,790 meters) marks the transition from the Maurertal to the Hinterbichler Dorfertal. From here, there is a great via ferrata up to the Türmle (2,844 meters), making it an excellent spot for experienced climbers looking for a challenging ascent. The Schweriner Weg, part of the Venediger Höhenweg, also connects huts in this area.