The Grossglockner. One of the World's Greatest Driving Roads.
Thirty miles. Thirty-six magnificent bends. And a road that seems made for the Porsche 911.
Some Roads Are Worth Crossing an Ocean For.
There are beautiful roads, challenging roads, and roads that happen to take you somewhere interesting. And then there are those rare stretches of pavement that are destinations in their own right. Austria's Grossglockner High Alpine Road belongs in that last category.
Carved through the heart of the Austrian Alps, the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is approximately 30 miles of extraordinary mountain driving, connecting the Salzburg region with Carinthia. Along the way, 36 carefully engineered bends climb through forests, alpine meadows, and a landscape that becomes increasingly dramatic with every mile. Above the tree line, the mountains seem to take over completely. The road winds across exposed slopes, past waterfalls and rugged peaks, with views that can make even the most enthusiastic driver grateful for a place to pull over.
Opened in 1935, the Grossglockner is both an engineering achievement and one of Europe's great scenic drives. It was built in an era when creating a road through this terrain required an extraordinary combination of ambition, ingenuity, and sheer determination. Nearly a century later, the result remains remarkable.
And while the Grossglockner is spectacular from the passenger seat of almost any vehicle, there's something especially compelling about experiencing it in a Porsche 911.
The road has a rhythm that rewards thoughtful driving. A sequence of tight hairpins gives way to flowing curves, followed by a climb that reveals another seemingly impossible stretch of pavement ahead. The 911's precise steering, remarkable balance, and responsive engine make each transition feel wonderfully natural. It's not about how quickly you can reach the top. It's about enjoying every corner along the way.
Then there's the setting. The highest point on the main road reaches 2,504 meters (8,215 feet), where the air is cool, the scenery immense, and the surrounding peaks of Hohe Tauern National Park stretch toward the horizon.
For a Porsche enthusiast, the Grossglockner is more than another mountain pass to check off a list. It's one of those rare places where the car, the road, and the landscape seem to belong together.
And that's what makes it worth traveling halfway around the world to experience.
The Porsche 911. The Grossglockner. A Perfect Combination.
There are few places where a Porsche 911 feels more at home than on a great Alpine road. And the Grossglockner is among the finest.
What makes this road so rewarding isn't simply the number of curves. It's their variety. Tight hairpins demand precision and patience. Long, sweeping bends invite smooth, flowing driving. Steep climbs give way to open stretches where the landscape suddenly expands, revealing another spectacular series of curves climbing the mountainside.
It's the kind of driving that reminds you why the Porsche 911 has earned such a devoted following. The steering communicates exactly what the front tires are doing. The chassis feels composed and responsive. The engine delivers power with an immediacy that makes every climb engaging. Everything works together in a way that feels remarkably natural.
But there's another dimension to the experience when you're traveling with a group of Porsche enthusiasts.
Imagine looking ahead to see a colorful procession of 911s winding through the Austrian Alps. A silver Cabriolet disappears around a sweeping bend, followed by a Guards Red Coupe and a Racing Yellow Carrera. In your mirrors, another Porsche follows the same graceful line through the mountains.
There's a wonderful sense of camaraderie in that scene. You're each enjoying your own car and your own experience, but you're also sharing something extraordinary.
And the best moments aren't necessarily behind the wheel. They're at the scenic overlooks, when everyone steps out of their cars, looks back at the road they've just driven, and starts talking. Someone points toward a particularly memorable curve. Someone else is already taking photographs. There's laughter, conversation, and the shared realization that this is a pretty remarkable way to spend a morning.
The Grossglockner is a road worth driving in almost any vehicle. But experiencing it in a Porsche 911, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts, adds something special.
The road is unforgettable. Sharing it makes it even better.
The Grossglockner by the Numbers
30
MILES
48 kilometers of Alpine driving
36
BENDS
Beautifully engineered mountain curves
8,215
FEET
Highest elevation on the main road
1935
OPENED
Nearly a century of driving history
Experience the Grossglockner From Behind the Wheel
Photographs capture the scale and beauty of the Grossglockner, but to truly appreciate this road, you need to see it from behind the wheel.
Watch as the road climbs through the Austrian Alps, moving from sweeping curves to tight mountain hairpins, with extraordinary scenery unfolding around nearly every corner. It's a remarkable combination of engineering, landscape, and the simple pleasure of driving.
Now imagine experiencing it in your own Porsche 911, with a convoy of fellow enthusiasts sharing the journey.
A Driver's-Eye View of the Grossglockner
The following video was created by an independent Porsche enthusiast and is shared here to give you a firsthand look at what makes the Grossglockner such an extraordinary driving experience. Follow the road from north to south, just as we'll do on our 2027 Porsche Grand Alpine Arc, and enjoy the sweeping curves, dramatic hairpins, and spectacular Alpine scenery from behind the wheel of a Porsche 911.
The video is not a VanArnam Adventures production, but it beautifully captures why we're so excited to share this remarkable road with our guests.
Planning Your Grossglockner Drive
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of Europe's most celebrated scenic drives, but a little planning can make an extraordinary experience even better. From seasonal opening dates to mountain weather and the best places to stop, here are a few things worth knowing before setting out.
When Is the Grossglockner Open?
The Grossglockner is a seasonal toll road, generally open from early May until early November, depending on snow and weather conditions.
During June, July and August, the road normally opens at 5:30 a.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m., with the last entry 45 minutes before closing. Opening times are shorter during the spring and autumn shoulder seasons.
Because the road climbs above 8,000 feet, weather conditions can change quickly, even in summer. Always check the official Grossglockner website for current opening hours and road conditions before traveling.
What Is the Best Time of Day to Drive?
For driving enthusiasts, early morning is particularly appealing. Arriving shortly after the road opens often means lighter traffic, cooler temperatures, and beautiful low-angle sunlight across the mountains.
The Grossglockner is a popular destination, especially on sunny summer weekends, so there are no guarantees of an empty road. Nevertheless, an early start offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the drive before the busiest sightseeing hours.
How Long Does It Take to Drive the Grossglockner?
The road itself is approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) long, but this is not a drive to rush.
Allow at least 90 minutes to two hours for the crossing, and considerably longer if you want to stop at viewpoints, take photographs, enjoy a coffee, or explore some of the attractions along the way.
For Porsche enthusiasts, the journey is the destination. The pleasure comes from the curves, the changing scenery, and the opportunity to appreciate one of Europe's finest mountain roads.
Which Direction Is Best?
The Grossglockner can be driven in either direction, and both approaches offer extraordinary scenery.
The north-to-south route begins near Fusch an der Grossglocknerstrasse, climbing toward the high Alpine sections before descending toward Heiligenblut and the Carinthian side of the mountains.
This is the direction we've planned for our 2027 Porsche Grand Alpine Arc, traveling from Schloss Mittersill toward Lienz.
The reverse direction is equally beautiful, with a different sequence of climbs, descents, and mountain views.
What Are the Best Viewpoints?
Several stops deserve consideration along the Grossglockner:
Edelweissspitze: A spectacular panoramic viewpoint reached by a short, steep, cobbled spur road, offering views of numerous Alpine peaks.
Fuscher Törl: One of the road's most recognizable high-altitude locations, with remarkable views of the surrounding mountains and winding roadway.
Hochtor: The highest point on the main road, at approximately 2,504 meters (8,215 feet).
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe: A famous viewing area overlooking the Pasterze Glacier and Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner itself. Reaching it requires taking a side road.
Is the Grossglockner Suitable for a Porsche 911?
Absolutely. The Grossglockner's paved surface, varied curves, and dramatic elevation changes make it a particularly rewarding road for a capable sports car such as the Porsche 911.
Drivers should nevertheless approach the road with respect. Some hairpins are tight, gradients can be steep, and cyclists, motorcycles, buses, and other vehicles share the roadway. Mountain weather can also change quickly.
Smooth, attentive driving is the best way to enjoy the experience.
Experience the Grossglockner With VanArnam Adventures
Some experiences are simply better when they're shared.
On our June 28–July 7, 2027 Porsche Grand Alpine Arc, the Grossglockner is one of the great highlights of a nine-night journey through Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Germany.
We'll spend the night before our crossing at Schloss Mittersill, a beautifully restored castle overlooking the Austrian Alps. The following morning, after an early breakfast, we'll climb into our Porsche 911s and set off toward the Grossglockner, aiming to enjoy the road shortly after it opens.
Imagine a colorful procession of Porsches winding through the mountains, stopping at spectacular overlooks, and sharing the kind of driving experience that stays with you long after you've returned home.
And the Grossglockner is only one chapter of the adventure.
We'll also explore Slovenia's remarkable Vršič Pass, the turquoise waters of the Soča Valley, beautiful Alpine roads through Austria and Italy, and a collection of exceptional hotels, restaurants, and memorable experiences along the way.
Each couple will have their own Porsche 911, with the opportunity to select their preferred model. And we're bringing a professional filmmaking team to capture the journey, creating a lasting record of an extraordinary adventure.
We believe the best travel experiences combine remarkable places, wonderful people, and moments that simply can't be recreated at home.
We'd love to share it with you.
Kent & Allison
VanArnam Adventures