90 years of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road - an anniversary of superlatives

The birth of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road
The idea of building a road through the Alpine landscape was a bold plan many decades ago. It was the economic and tourist visions of the 1920s that gave the go-ahead for this extraordinary construction project.
Construction of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road began in 1930, in the midst of the Great Depression. With great commitment and under difficult conditions - both financially and logistically - the road to the 3,798 metre-high Großglockner, Austria's highest peak, was realised. The construction of the road was an immense technical and human challenge. The progress of the work was repeatedly slowed down by the forces of nature and the alpine conditions. But the vision and the will of the builders remained strong. And so the road was officially opened on 3rd August 1935.

Franz Wallack - the visionary and builder
The Viennese civil engineer Franz Wallack was the technical planner of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. As early as 1924, he was commissioned to draw up a concept for the construction of the road. Wallack was not only an engineer, but also a passionate mountaineer. In the summer of 1925, he explored 30 Alpine road passes and 13 main Alpine crossings in order to find the best solutions for the construction of the Grossglockner Road. His aim was to create a road that would blend harmoniously into the high mountain landscape. After the road was completed, Wallack remained on the board of Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse AG until his death in 1966. He also developed special snow clearing equipment, the so-called ‘Wallack milling machines’, which are still in use today to clear the road of snow masses.

Historical milestones of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

• 1930-1935 - Construction of the road: Construction of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road began in 1930 and was completed in 1935. Around 4,000 workers were involved in this huge project. The road was built with the aim of creating an important north-south link and providing jobs in a difficult economic period. 
• 22 September 1934 - First automobile crossing: On 22 September 1934, the Hohe Tauern mountain range was crossed by automobile for the first time. Governor Franz Rehrl and engineer Franz Wallack drove across the still unfinished road in a converted ‘Steyr 100’. The journey took almost seven hours and was a significant step in the history of the road. 
• 3 August 1935 - Official opening: The Großglockner High Alpine Road was officially opened on 3 August 1935. One day after the opening, the ‘1st International Großglockner Race for Automobiles and Motorcycles’ took place, which is considered the first mountain race on the new road.
• 1953 - Development of rotary ploughs: In order to keep the road passable in winter, Franz Wallack developed a special snow clearing technique in 1953. He designed a combination of snow blower and plough, which is still used successfully today.

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road today
What began as a monumental construction project has developed into one of the most famous and most visited panoramic roads in the world. Over a length of 48 kilometres, the road winds its way through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, past glaciers, waterfalls and wild mountain slopes. 36 hairpin bends make for an exciting driving experience, while breathtaking views of the Großglockner and the surrounding peaks can be enjoyed time and again along the way. In addition to the views, the road also offers numerous opportunities for hikers, nature lovers and anyone in search of alpine adventure.

A place for memories
Over the years, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road has not only fascinated visitors as an impressive feat of engineering, but also as a place for encounters and enjoyment. Numerous exhibitions and adventure worlds along the route invite you to learn more about the history of the road, nature and its construction. The numerous rest stops also offer the ideal opportunity to enjoy the landscape in peace and quiet.

Celebrate with us!
In 2025, the 90th anniversary of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road will be celebrated in style. Don't miss this opportunity and experience a piece of history up close. 
We invite you to discover the road and its history - whether by car, on a hike or by visiting one of the many exhibitions along the road.

Come along, be inspired and celebrate the 90th anniversary of this masterpiece with us!