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Grossglockner in second half of September (conditions and openings)

Posted by (Colorado) on

Guten Tag,

We had planned to drive north from Lienz up on the Grossglockner high mountain road to 163 east to the Salzkammergut area. I inquired about lodging in Heiligenblut overnight on the way, only to find they close just days before we arrive. I had very insightful advice to skip Grossglockner/Pasterze glacier in favor of Ramsau am Dachstein.

I've heard such great things about Grossglockner and the road that I'm hesitant to alter plans, but considering the season is ending and also perhaps early fall snow/storms may be a risk (IS IT?), I am seriously thinking of changing plans. Seeing the tongue or "end" of the glacier at Pasterze (and the meters that it has withdrawn over the years) is compelling to me, but perhaps not worth the value I'm placing on it.

Prior to Grossglockner, we'll be in the Dolomites, so I'm wondering if skipping Grossglockner in favor of the Dachstein area seems the best course given the season and itinerary.

Any additional insights that might help me confirm my plans one way or the other?

Many thanks!

Posted by
20094 posts

The Grossglockner website says the highway is nominally open until early November. Why don't you make that decision as to route when you get to Lienz and have the current weather forecast. If it looks bad, go north by another route.

Posted by
8144 posts

Since you'll be close by in the Dolomites, go ahead and plan on driving through the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Just have a Plan B if the weather has closed the road by then.
We found the mountains on the southside of the mountains to be about the most beautiful place we've ever seen--in the world.
There are also resorts in the Lienz are that are very nice places to stay--along with some bed and breakfasts..

Posted by
4156 posts

What Sam said. If it's raining at the bottom, take a different route. We were there in mid-June 2011. We stayed at the Edelweissehutte at the highest accessible point. The person at the toll booth at the bottom said it was fine up top even though it was raining.

We drove on up to the hotel and were met with sideways rain and wind. We spent the night in a freezing cold room and woke to at least 8" of snow. The parking lot was so treacherous that even the folks in the super 4WD couldn't get enough traction to feel safe going down.

Finally a worker at the shop arrived at about noon. She said the road had been plowed, but it was still slippery and to go slowly. We did and it took quite a few turns before we got out of the clouds and could see anything, including what was beyond the edge of the road.

You have to expect variable weather in the mountains anytime, but I was disappointed that we couldn't see anything we'd hoped to see from our overnight location.

Posted by
341 posts

Thanks Sam, David and Lo, I appreciate your sharing experience and insight!

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