Sight
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe
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Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe is the crown jewel of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a viewpoint and visitor center perched at 2,369 meters. From here, you get an up-close view of the Pasterze Glacier, Austria's largest glacier, and the Grossglockner peak (3,798 m). The visitor center houses an exhibition on the national park, a cinema, and a restaurant. A short trail leads to a viewing platform that seems to float above the glacier. The sight is both humbling and awe-inspiring: the glacier's crevasses and the mountain's rugged face dominate the horizon. Interpretive signs explain the glacier's retreat due to climate change. This is a must-stop for any visitor to the region, offering the most dramatic panorama of the High Tauern.
Don't miss
- Stand on the viewing platform overlooking the Pasterze Glacier
- See the Grossglockner peak up close
- Visit the National Park exhibition and multimedia show
- Walk the short Gletscherweg trail to the glacier's edge (when safe)
- Enjoy a meal with a view at the mountain restaurant
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inFranz Josef: Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40-Min Helicopter Flight5★ · 38 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$396 per personSee dates →
Most bookedFranz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike4.6★ · 649 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$544 per personSee dates →
Private & flexiblePrivate day trip to the Romantic Rhine Valley with river cruise and wine tasting4.9★ · 23 travelers7–10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$812 per personSee dates →More attractions in Heiligenblut