Edelweiss-Spitze, the highest point on the road

What it is

The Edelweiss-Spitze, at 2,571 m, is the highest point you can reach on the Grossglockner road. It is a rounded summit above the Fuschertörl, on the Salzburg side, with a car park, an oval stone viewing tower and, a little below, the Edelweisshütte, a mountain hut with a restaurant and rooms. The name was chosen by Franz Wallack, the road's engineer, when he built the branch in the 1930s; before that the summit was called Poneck or Leitenkogel.

What you see

In good weather, from the tower you can count 37 peaks of more than 3,000 metres and 19 glaciers. To the south you have the Grossglockner massif, with the Brennkogel, the Fuscherkarkopf and the Hohe Dock; to the north, the Fusch valley as far as the Zell lake. Just below you see the bends of the road climbing towards the Fuschertörl, which is the classic photo of the road. In the tower there are panels about the car and motorbike races held on the road in the 1930s.

How to get up

There are two ways:

• On foot from the Fuschertörl. Beside the Fuschertörl restaurant (2,428 m) a short, steep path starts that reaches the top in about 30 minutes.
• By car or motorbike on the branch road. The Edelweiss-Spitze road branches off at the Fuschertörl and climbs about 1.6 km on a cobbled surface to the summit car park, where there is a Bikers Point for motorcyclists.

Price and season

You pay nothing extra: the climb is included in the road toll (€46.50 per car per day in 2026). You can go up while the road is open, from early May to early November, within its hours. Driving outside them is prohibited.

A longer route

If you want to walk further, from the Edelweiss-Spitze car park starts the route to the Baumgartlkopf: 4.7 km, about 2 hours and 785 m of ascent, according to the road company. It is already a mountain path: boots, water and a weather forecast.

When to go

Go first thing or in the late afternoon, when there is less traffic on the road. With low cloud you see nothing; the summit has a live webcam and the road's website publishes the images. It is cold up there even in August: bring an extra layer.

With children and a dog

The walking path is short but steep; with small children, it is better to drive up and stay at the tower. With a dog, a lead: it is compulsory throughout the national park.