It is the year 1800. An expedition of 62 people, organised by Prince-Bishop Franz II. Xaver von Salm-Reifferscheid, reaches the summit of the Grossglockner for the very first time: a pivotal achievement in the history of alpinism.

This was soon followed by further expeditions, predominantly for the purposes of science, research and cartography. The mid-19th century, however, saw the development of a new form of alpinism – shifting the focus from scientific interests to an athletic experience. It was not long before alpine tourism on the Glockner had turned into a prosperous business. From 1858, the inn-keepers of the Glocknerwirt took on the task of connecting visiting mountaineers with local guides.

Today, those wishing to conquer the Grossglockner are able to choose from a variety of different routes and levels of difficulty. On the Carinthian side of the mountain, the route of the first ascent (Bischof Salm Trail) is the least challenging option; it is distinguished by a stunning natural scenery, and is generally less frequented than many of the other routes to this much-coveted peak.

Then as now, we recommend that you place your trust in one of our expert mountain guides for a safe and enjoyable Grossglockner summit tour.