Hallstatt to Grossglockener Alpine Road - How

Posted by Sudipto (Bangalore) on 05/04/14 06:15 AM

We would be driving from Hallstatt to Innsbruck; starting in the morning from Hallstatt and reaching Innsbruck by evening / late evening. On the way I would like to drive the Grossglockener Road, both ways weather permitting. From some of the earlier posts, I understand that we would first need to reach Zel am See, in order to access the Grossglockener Road.

This is where I wanted to get some info. Where exactly will I be able to join the Grossglockener Road ? Is there an option to come to Zell am See, park there & then take a bus both ways ?

Posted by Sudipto OP

Bangalore

05/04/14 07:43 AM

70 posts

Also let me know the approximate time it would take for the round trip back to Zell am See.

I am budgeting for 5 hours --> Starting from Zell am See around 11 am, drive the road & be back at Zell am See by 4pm.

Please let me know if that is realistic.

Posted by Andreas

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

06/13/14 11:46 AM

2779 posts

Großglockner Hochalpenstraße is just a road, state road 107 from Bruck to Lienz. Via Großglockner Hochalpenstraße the drive is 86km and takes 1:20 just for the driving - but of course you would stop at least at St. Josef's Höhe for the view and the ground hogs etc.

The drive from Hallstadt via. Großglockner to Lienz is 190km or 3 hours net driving time.

From Lienz to Innsbruck there are two route options:
1) Felbertauern tunnel: 180km, 2.30 hours
2) via Bruneck (Italy), Brenner Pass, 180km, 2.35 hours

Option 2 involves extra toll charges (so does Großglockner Alpine Road). Option 1 is just as scenic put included with your Austrian freeway toll sticker.

--- My personal recommendation would be:
A really scenic drive from Hallstadt via Bad Aussee and Stainach, Schladming, Radstadt, St. Michael im Lungau, Spittal an der Drau, Obervellach, Heiligenblut, Großglockner Alpine Road, Zell am See, Mittersill, Kitzbühel, Wörgl, Innsbruck.

You'll see the best of the Alps in one day! 467km in total, net driving time is 6 hours and 15 minutes. Only the Großglockner Road involves an extra toll.

Posted by Paul

NYC area

06/13/14 10:38 PM

3003 posts

Hi,

Keep in mind that's 6:15 driving time. You'll most likely stop at least to savor the scenery along the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse. Then I can't imagine no lunch or bathroom stops. Maybe traffic, construction, an accident, whatever. You really should figure on 8 or 9 hours total. For me, it would be too much time in transit just for the Grossglockner Road. To each their own though.

Once you get to Zell am See, you really can't miss the signs for the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse. Budgeting 5 hours for the Grossglockner drive is reasonable. Driving non stop you could do the drive one way in less than an hour, so allowing 5 hours for just driving it both ways certainly works.

Paul

Posted by David

Huntsville, AL, USA

06/29/14 12:19 PM

8346 posts

It's just best to start the Grossglockner by noon--to catch the scenery. And it's best taken slowly.

And I find the south side of the mountain range to be absolutely breathtaking. The area just north of Lienz is some of the most beautiful mountain scenery I've ever experienced. Lienz has some really fine accommodations and resorts if you need to spend the night.

From Lienz, you can go back west through Cortina and catch the motorway/autobahn north thru the Brenner Pass into Innsbruck. It's a pretty easy drive.