Wonders of Austria: Hallstatt & Grossglockner High Alpine Road

If you only have less than a week in Austria, one of the must go attractions are Hallstatt & Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The best way to explore these two area is by car.

Getting There

Major cities like Salzburg, Vienna, Innsbruck, Graz in Austria is easily accessible by public transport (Bus, Trains). In fact, there is no need to rent a car unless you intend to visit Hallstatt & driving on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.

Getting to Hallstatt from Salzburg involves using buses and trains. If taking the train from Salzburg, one will be require to additionally take a ferry across the lake to reach Hallstatt. Bus is the better option as it will arrives into the town. However, there are limited bus services (Bus 150 from Salzburg to Hallstatt).

As there are plenty of tourist sites spread within the vicinity of Hallstatt, I figured out the best way to explore this town and take in all the sights within a day is to rent a car and do self exploration. Due to the scenic view at every turn along the way to Hallstatt, renting a car allow the much needed freedom to stop along the lakeside and enjoy the beauty. In additional, there is no need to rush for bus services, adhere to the limited bus services and squeezing with the crowd on public buses if one is short of time travelling with Austria.

I had rented a car from the city of Graz; a UNESECO World Cultural Heritage town.  Graz is a 2.5hour drive (177km) from Hallstatt. I  picked up the car as early as 9am and start my journey. I rented from Budget Car Rental as they have pick up points from Graz and allow one to drop off at major city like Salzburg.

Things to do in Hallstatt

Most importantly, the lake in Hallstatt is one of the greatest highlight. Many tourists will swamp this small little lakeside town as well. However, there is always a quiet spot for everyone as well if you would wander further away. Taking a stroll on Hallstatt’s main lakefront street is beautiful, relaxing, and straight out of an Alpine storybook.  The entire stroll from South to North through the sleepy town is only a little more than 1 kilometer long.

Bone House & Cemetery (Beinhaus)

Filled with human bones and painted skulls, the Bone House in the lower level quaint Saint Michael’s Chapel is one of the most memorable of the top 10 things to do in Hallstatt.

Dachstein Ice Caves

A must do experience while visiting Hallstatt. You may have seen many beautiful caves around the world. However, this is unique in the sense that it is ice instead of the usual water one will seen when inside caves. Even during Summer, please bring a jacket along. You will feel chill once inside the cave and entertaining 1-hour tour of the cave.  Your local guide will cover the history of the cave, the key features, and many in embark on an interesting light and sound showcase displaying enchanting ice formations which are naturally created.  In addition to the tour, the cave’s entrance offers awesome views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Ride up the cable car gondola to the 1st station and hike the well-marked trail for 20 minutes to the entrance.

Mammut Cave

One of the largest krast caves in the world with guided tour taking one through gigantic cave passages, impressive rock cathedrals and laser installation added special effects.

5 Fingers

This is a spectacular viewing platform where one can see the snow capped mountains and enjoy the unique panoramic views of Hallstattersee and the Salzkammergut. The viewing platform is not for the faint heart soul thou as it is 400 meters above the abyss. Excellent spot to take plenty of beautiful photos subject to the wind conditions as at time, clouds may block the nearby views. Adding to the effect one of the playful fingers of the platform had been made with a glass floor to give you an unobstructed view straight down.

Salt Mine

The world oldest salt mine, a funicular takes you from City level up to the Salt Mines.One of the popular attractions and also the location of the Skywalk overseeing the World Heritage View of Hallstatt. The tickets does not come cheap though. I had skip this sight unless you are really in the food & beverage line and would like to learn more about the discovery of salt.

Adventurous Activities in Hallstatt

Via Ferrata: Only 20 minutes from mountain station of the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car, one will be able to reach the Via Ferrata. It offers novices as well as pros a magnificent alpine experience along wire ropes and pegs.

Paragliding: The Dachstein Krippenstein is one of the best place on earth to paraglide. Reason siply being one will fly near to mountain alps and there is difference in altitude of more than 1500 meters, providing breathtaking views at every turn. Do note this activity is suitable for person weighing between 30kg- 100kg.

If you are here in summer time, one may even embark on a sunrise, full moon trips, guided hikes. These events usually happen between July till October period.

Grossglockner Road:

Built in the 1930s, the 48km long road 36 turns is one of the hidden gem of Austria. With the purchase of a Day Ticket at 36 Euros Dollars, this high alpine road allows one to drive through 30 of such 3,000 meter mountains, 15 free exhibitions, 7 theme trails, 14 restaurants and free guided tours (at selected time). Museums, nature and panoramic trails, unique exhibitions, information points, playgrounds and grand waterfalls are waiting for you at twelve select spots.

The drive was an enjoyable one as well for both driver and passengers. At every few kilometers, they have side road where one is able to stop the car and admire the view. While driving up, we had stopped around 10 times as the beauty at each corner is different. Taking a bus would not allow such luxury to stop wherever one would like to.

Adventure world 1: Piffkar, 1,620m:

The first stage after the road charge station Fusch an der Glocknerstrasse delights visitors with a playground, the nature trail through the special conservation area with larch meadows (approx. walking time 30 min) and special exhibition (“Salzburg’s Tallest – the Fascination of Mountains”)

Adventure world 2: highest point Edelweiss-Spitze, 2,571m:

Short access road (attention: not suitable for buses!) leads to the highest viewpoint of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Enjoy the panoramic view of more than thirty 3,000 metre peaks.

Adventure world 3: Fuscher Törl, 2,428m:

Coming from the direction of Salzburg, the Fuscher Törl affords the first view of the Grossglockner. The view terrace is home to the most beautiful photo point of the north side. Visit the memorial site for the workers who died during the construction of the Grossglockner Road too.

Adventure world 4: Fuscher Lacke, 2,262m

The picturesque spot at the small lake (round tour: ten-minute walk) is home to an original road maintenance workers’ booth that houses the exhibition “Bau der Strasse” (Eng. “Construction of the Road”.

Adventure world 5: Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, 2,369m

Enjoy the unique view of the Grossglockner, Johannisberg and Pasterze! Explore the visitors’ centre with special and art exhibitions, Glockner cinema, panorama room and Swarovski look-out. Tip: Gamsgrubenweg panoramic paths (free daily tours with a National Park ranger!!), Kaisersteinweg and Gletscherweg (alpine trail).

Adventure world 6: Kasereck information point, 1,911m

Learn interesting facts about the natural and cultural landscape of the Oberes Mölltal before arriving in Heiligenblut, where you need to visit the late Gothic church with its breathtakingly beautiful altar by Michael Pacher.

Where to Stay:

We stayed in the rural town of Bad Hofgastein. This town is famous during winter because of the huge abundance of skiing grounds in the region. When it comes to summer, the activity would include mountain biking, trekking. It will be less crowded during summer and this town is much cooler than other parts of Austria, so do bring a jacket as well during your stay in summer.

Moreover, I personally love the big houses which is kinda of like a farm stay as some rear animals. I had choose to stay in Appartementhaus Salzmann. One can choose to whip up dishes from the nearby local supermarket from the own comfort of the apartment. Or one can simply gaze at the mountains while enjoying the scenery from the comfort of the balcony.

Address : Gadaunern 71, Bahnhof Angertal, Bad Hofgastein, Austria 5630

I had booked this property on Booking.com with the owner being so helpful and friendly too, making it a pleasant stay!

Itinerary:

Day 1

0830H: Pick up rental car at Graz

1000H: Depart Graz to Hallstatt (2.5hr drive, 177km)

1230H: Arrive Hallstatt

Lake Hallstatt, Dachstein Ice Cave (Dachsteinhöhlen), Bone House & Cemetery (Beinhaus), Market Square (Marktplatz), 5 Fingers Lookout Point, Rudolph’s Tower & Skywalk (Welterbeblick)

1800H: 2 hour drive from Hallstatt to Bad Hofgastein (110km)

2000H: Arrive Bad Hofgastein

Day 2

0700H: Embark on a Grossglockner High Alpine Road Trip.

From Badgastein to Grossglockner High Alpine Road around 2.5hr journey one way, slowly discover the way up.

1700H: Return back to Badgastein

1900H: Arrive back to hotel in Badgastein

Day 3

0930H:Drive from Badgastein – Salzburg (1hr 30 mins; 104km)

Along the way, visit stop by towns.

1300H: Arrive Salzburg; check into hotel

Categories: Europe Region