Hohe Tauern - The National Park region
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Hohe Tauern - The National Park region
Kraftplatz und Mythos. Der Großglockner ist weit mehr als der höchste Gipfel der Alpenrepublik. Er ist ein spiritueEnergy-filled place and the stuff of legend. The Großglockner is far more than the highest summit in Austria. It is a spiritual, energy-filled place, is legendary and has been inspiring people for centuries. At 3798m, the Großglockner is the highest mountain in Austria. It is situated in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, in the midst of a sea of three-thousand metre mountains - 266 summits tower over the mysterious mountain. It is right here that the largest protected area in the Alps experienced its birth. The first nature conservation area was set up in 1918 and since the setting up of the National Park in 1981, the Großglockner has been the symbol for the protection of the biggest interconnected natural landscape in the heart of Europe. Many myths and legends have grown around the highest mountain in Austria. Centuries ago the Großglockner provided a magical draw for Alpinists and adventurers, but also for the nobility and celebrities. It was first climbed in 1800. Triumph and defeat often lie closely with one another here. The famous Pallavicini gully is named after Margrave Alfred Pallavicini, who died on the Glockner in 1886. Even Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth were fascinated by the mountain and visited the strange mountains around the Großglockner. In 1856 they hiked up to a point and ever since then it has been known as 'Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe'. A breath-taking viewing point which these days is convenient to access via the Großglockner high Alpine road.
Those of you for whom the wonderful view to the highest mountain is not enough, can fulfil your dream of climbing the Glockner. For many people it is a life-time's ambition, for those who have achieved it, it is an unforgettable experience that won't be topped in a hurry. With one of the Großglockner mountain guides from Kals or Heiligenblut the ultimate 3000 metre experience becomes a reality. From that initial climb via a multi-day circumnavigation, to the 'Königstour', there is sure to be something for everyone. An adventure on the Großglockner is closer than you might realise.
There is a really easy way to get to the Großglockner – just get in your car and drive to Austria's highest mountain. When you do it this way, you don't need to do any summit conquering, nonetheless the journey on the Großglockner is definitely an exceptional adventure. The Großglockner high Alpine road is one the most famous Alpine roads in the East Alps. It runs directly into the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, to the Großglockner (3798m), the highest mountain in the Republic of Austria and its glacier, the Pasterze. This panoramic road spans 48 km with an altitude gain of up to 2571m, crosses through a unique mountain realm of lush alpine pastures, fragrant mountain forests, impressive cliffs and extensive ice. It is not just the stunning panorama, the culture and history of this road inspires time and again. In 1856 Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth climbed up to a viewing point which since then has been called 'Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe'. There is an incomparable panoramic view from this point. The highest mountain in Austria is right in front of you here, while close by marmots romp about and with a bit of luck you might even catch sight of the mighty ibex. The National Park area tempts you to take a rest at what is probably one of the loveliest places in the Alps, while in the visitors' centre there is so much interesting information to glean about the 'Großglockner'.
