Grossglockner Pass 2,504m

Vienna trip - day 3 - waypoint - Grossglockner Pass

This has been on my to-do list since October 2013 after first seeing the place on a TV show. To make it we needed a southerly diversion on the Vienna route, turn right at Mittersil - south to Lienz and then almost directly back north over the pass.

Long-cut via Lienz

As long-cuts go though - this was one of the best.
Our go-no/go decision on straight east vs. a long loop south to and back north across Grossglockner was a place called Mittersill. The route south itself interesting - this is the new main road passing through unexpectedly long tunnels before flattening out at Lienz where we turn north again and this time over the mountain.

Pause virtually anywhere and you are rewarded with views.

Stop off for elevenses, hot chocolate in a warm restaurant.

Lienz sits at ~673m above sea level, Grossglockner rising to ~2,540m at Hochtor where it dives through a short tunnel before descending again to the north.

Ascent

Everything starts off easy enough - a few patches of snow...

Then 2-3' of snow, and I start to slow down - meltwater on the road and its not immediately obvious whether it is water or ice - so taking in the view becomes as important as the spirited drive!

Before reaching the summit at Hochtor!

I was a little like an exited schoolboy here - couldn't quite beleived we had done it - cold yes - but the views!

Theres a good cafe here serving excellent hot chocolate and goulash which is absolutely perfect to counter the <5ºc temperatures.

Descent

The way forward through a short tunnel inscribed: 

"In te, Domine, speravi"

English - "In thee, O Lord, Have I put my trust"

or perhaps just "God help me!" 

Looks like around 2.2ºc as we leave, and the supprise on entering the tunnel is its lining of frozen falling water!

...another drive across the top of the mountains to a second viewpoint

Panorama

Various places even the road doesn't fit on the mountain,

Incredible!