Hohe Tauern
Encyclopedia
The Hohe Tauern or High Tauern (pl.
) are a mountain range
on the main chain
of the Central Eastern Alps
, comprising the highest peaks east of the Brenner Pass
. The crest forms the southern border of the Austria
n state of Salzburg
with Carinthia
and East Tyrol
, while a small part in the southwest belongs to the Italian
province of South Tyrol
. The range includes Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner.
The stratum term "Tauern" originally meant "high mountain pass
es", but came to be applied to the mountains themselves during the peak of mining
operations during the Middle Ages
. An affiliation with the Celtic Taurisci
people or the Roman city of Teurnia
is uncertain.
, the range is bounded by the Salzach
valley to the north (separating it from the Kitzbühel Alps), the Mur valley and the Murtörl Pass to the east (separating it from the Niedere Tauern
), the Drava
valley to the south (separating it from the Southern Limestone Alps
), and the Birnlücke
Pass to the west (separating it from the Zillertal Alps
).
Its most important parts are (from West to East):
The eastern end of the Hohe Tauern is formed by the Hafner subgroup of the Ankogel range, which includes the easternmost peaks above 3000 metres (9,842.5 ft) in the Alpine chain.
Further parts of the Hohe Tauern south of the main crest of the Alps are (from West to East):
s as well as the largest nature reserve in the Alps. It is divided into a core zone including the Grossglockner and Grossvenediger massifs, with complete prohibition of agricultural use, and a fringe zone used for forestry
and alpine-meadow farming. Five special nature sanctuaries are protected from any human disturbance.
The park of the IUCN
II category comprises the Pasterze
and numerous further glacier
s, the Krimml Waterfalls, several glacial valleys and alluvial fan
s, as well as extended tundra
areas and forests. Among the flora of the Alps
, especially Swiss Pine
s grow along the tree line; above subshrub
, mainly alpenrose
but also the endemic saxifraga rudolphiana, up to nival level
at about 2,800 m (9,200 ft). The fauna includes chamois
, Alpine ibex
and red deer
, as well as griffon vulture
and the golden eagle
. The former extinct bearded vulture and the Alpine marmot
have been successfully reintroduced.
The park was established according to a 1971 declaration signed by the participating states at Heiligenblut
, it nevertheless took until 1981, when the first parts around Großglockner and Hochschober in Carinthia were put under protection. The adjacent area in Salzburg followed two years later, and Tyrol finally joined in 1992. Tourism
only increased marginally since the creation of the national park, but has become less harmful to the environment. A particular emphasis is put on environmental protection and the maintenance of traditional ways of life in the Alps.
The main peaks of the Hohe Tauern are:
The best-known mountain pass road of the Hohe Tauern is the scenic Grossglockner High Alpine Road
inaugurated in 1935, including a tunnel at an elevation of 2505 metres (8,218.5 ft) under the Hochtor Pass (2573 metres (8,441.6 ft)). East of it, the Katschberg Pass
(1641 metres (5,383.9 ft)) on B 99 Katschberg Straße highway parallel to the Katschberg Tunnel links Sankt Michael and Rennweg. Another road crosses the Staller Sattel
between Sankt Jakob in Defereggen
and Rasen-Antholz
at 2052 metres (6,732.3 ft).
Beside there are numerous bridle and foot paths, in part used since ancient times:
Plural
In linguistics, plurality or [a] plural is a concept of quantity representing a value of more-than-one. Typically applied to nouns, a plural word or marker is used to distinguish a value other than the default quantity of a noun, which is typically one...
) are a mountain range
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
on the main chain
Main chain of the Alps
The Alpine divide is the central line of mountains that forms the water divide of the range. Main chains of mountain ranges are traditionally designated in this way, and generally include the highest peaks of a range; the Alps are something of an unusual case in that several significant groups of...
of the Central Eastern Alps
Central Eastern Alps
The Central Eastern Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps with its highest peaks, located between the Northern Limestone Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps, from which they differ in geological composition....
, comprising the highest peaks east of the Brenner Pass
Brenner Pass
- Roadways :The motorway E45 leading from Innsbruck via Bolzano to Verona and Modena uses this pass, and is one of the most important north-south connections in Europe...
. The crest forms the southern border of the Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n state of Salzburg
Salzburg (state)
Salzburg is a state or Land of Austria with an area of 7,156 km2, located adjacent to the German border. It is also known as Salzburgerland, to distinguish it from its capital city, also named Salzburg...
with Carinthia
Carinthia (state)
Carinthia is the southernmost Austrian state or Land. Situated within the Eastern Alps it is chiefly noted for its mountains and lakes.The main language is German. Its regional dialects belong to the Southern Austro-Bavarian group...
and East Tyrol
East Tyrol
East Tyrol, or East Tirol , is an exclave of the Austrian state of Tyrol, sharing no border with the main North Tyrol part of the state. It corresponds with the administrative district of Lienz....
, while a small part in the southwest belongs to the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
province of South Tyrol
South Tyrol
South Tyrol , also known by its Italian name Alto Adige, is an autonomous province in northern Italy. It is one of the two autonomous provinces that make up the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The province has an area of and a total population of more than 500,000 inhabitants...
. The range includes Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner.
The stratum term "Tauern" originally meant "high mountain pass
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
es", but came to be applied to the mountains themselves during the peak of mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
operations during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. An affiliation with the Celtic Taurisci
Taurisci
The Taurisci were a federation of Celtic tribes who dwelt in today's northern Slovenia before the coming of the Romans According to Pliny the Elder, they are the same people known as the Norici...
people or the Roman city of Teurnia
Teurnia
Municipium Teurnia was a Roman city in western Carinthia. In late antiquity it was also a bishop's see, and towards the end of Roman times it was mentioned as the capital of the province of Noricum mediterraneum...
is uncertain.
Geography
According to the Alpine Club classification of the Eastern AlpsAlpine Club classification of the Eastern Alps
The Alpine Club classification of the Eastern Alps or AVE is a division of the Eastern Alps into 75 mountain groups and is commonly used in mountaineering...
, the range is bounded by the Salzach
Salzach
The Salzach is a river in Austria and Germany. It is a right tributary of the Inn and is 225 kilometres in length.The river's name is derived from the German word Salz, meaning "salt". Until the 19th century shipping of salt down the river was an important part of the local economy...
valley to the north (separating it from the Kitzbühel Alps), the Mur valley and the Murtörl Pass to the east (separating it from the Niedere Tauern
Niedere Tauern
The Niedere Tauern or Low Tauern are a mountain range in central Austria, part of the Central Eastern Alps. They lie on the main chain of the Alps in in the states of Salzburger Land and Styria...
), the Drava
Drava
Drava or Drave is a river in southern Central Europe, a tributary of the Danube. It sources in Toblach/Dobbiaco, Italy, and flows east through East Tirol and Carinthia in Austria, into Slovenia , and then southeast, passing through Croatia and forming most of the border between Croatia and...
valley to the south (separating it from the Southern Limestone Alps
Southern Limestone Alps
The Southern Limestone Alps are the ranges of the Eastern Alps south of the Central Eastern Alps mainly located in northern Italy and the adjacent lands of Austria and Slovenia. The distinction from the Central Alps, where the higher peaks are located, is based on differences in geological...
), and the Birnlücke
Birnlücke
The Birnlücke is the border pass at the western end of the Hohe Tauern mountains in Austria, between the Venediger Group and the adjoining Zillertal Alps. The border between Austria and Italy has run over the pass since 1919...
Pass to the west (separating it from the Zillertal Alps
Zillertal Alps
The Zillertal Alps are a mountain range of the Central Eastern Alps on the border of Austria and Italy. The range is named after the Zillertal on its north....
).
Its most important parts are (from West to East):
- Venediger GroupVenediger GroupThe Venediger Group is a sub-group of the Austrian Central Alps in the Eastern Alps. Together with the Ankogel Group, the Goldberg Group, the Glockner Group, the Schober Group, the Kreuzeck Group, the Granatspitze Group, the Villgraten Mountains and the Rieserferner Group the Venediger Group forms...
(including the GroßvenedigerGroßvenedigerGroßvenediger is generally considered to be Austria's fourth highest mountain...
, 3666 metres (12,027.6 ft), and Lasörling, 3098 metres (10,164 ft)) - Granatspitze GroupGranatspitze GroupThe Granatspitze Group is a sub-group of the Central Alps within the Eastern Alps. Together with the Ankogel Group, the Goldberg Group, the Glockner Group, the Schober Group, the Kreuzeck Group, the Venediger Group, the Villgraten Mountains and the Rieserferner Group, the Granatspitze Group forms...
(including the Großer Muntanitz, 3232 metres (10,603.7 ft), and GranatspitzeGranatspitzeThe Granatspitze is the mountain giving its name to the Granatspitze Group in the High Tauern, the Alpine backbone of Austria. This, despite the fact that several peaks in this group are actually higher, for example the Stubacher Sonnblick which is less than a kilometre to the north and two metres...
, 3086 metres (10,124.7 ft)) - Glockner GroupGlockner GroupThe Glockner Group is a sub-group of the Austrian Central Alps in the Eastern Alps, and is located in the centre section of the High Tauern on the main chain of the Alps....
(including the Grossglockner, 3798 metres (12,460.6 ft)) - Goldberg Group including the Hoher Sonnblick (3106 m)
- Ankogel GroupAnkogel GroupThe Ankogel Group is a sub-group of the Central Eastern Alps. Together with the Goldberg Group, the Glockner Group, the Schober Group, the Kreuzeck Group, the Granatspitze Group, the Venediger Group, the Villgraten Mountains and the Rieserferner Group the Ankogel Group forms the mountain range of...
(including the Hochalmspitze, 3360 metres (11,023.6 ft), Ankogel, 3246 metres (10,649.6 ft) and Reißeck, 2965 metres (9,727.7 ft))
The eastern end of the Hohe Tauern is formed by the Hafner subgroup of the Ankogel range, which includes the easternmost peaks above 3000 metres (9,842.5 ft) in the Alpine chain.
Further parts of the Hohe Tauern south of the main crest of the Alps are (from West to East):
- Rieserferner Group (HochgallHochgall- References :* Werner Beikircher: Rieserfernergruppe Bergverlag Rother, 1983. ISBN 3-7633-1227-7...
, 3436 metres (11,273 ft)) - Villgraten Mountains (Weiße Spitze, 2962 metres (9,717.8 ft))
- Schober GroupSchober groupThe Schober Group is a sub-range of mountains in the Central Austrian Alps. Most of the range is located inside Hohe Tauern National Park. Its highest peak is Petzeck at ....
(including the Petzeck, 3283 metres (10,771 ft) and Hochschober, 3240 metres (10,629.9 ft)) - Kreuzeck GroupKreuzeck GroupThe Kreuzeck Group is a mountain range in Carinthia, Austria, which forms part of the Central Eastern Alps. It may be considered a part of the Hohe Tauern....
(Polinik, 2784 metres (9,133.9 ft))
High Tauern National Park
Along 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) of the main chain stretches the High Tauern National Park (Nationalpark Hohe Tauern), to which the Austrian Alpine Club as freeholder and the three states of Carinthia, Salzburg and Tyrol have contributed territory. With an area of about 1834 square kilometres (708.1 sq mi), it is by far the largest of Austria's seven national parkNational parks of Austria
There are seven national parks in Austria. These parks have a combined area of 2,376 km², which is 2.8% of the total area of Austria. They include each of Austria's most important natural landscape types — alluvial forest, Alpine massif, Pannonian steppe and rocky valleys.Austria's national parks...
s as well as the largest nature reserve in the Alps. It is divided into a core zone including the Grossglockner and Grossvenediger massifs, with complete prohibition of agricultural use, and a fringe zone used for forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
and alpine-meadow farming. Five special nature sanctuaries are protected from any human disturbance.
The park of the IUCN
IUCN Protected Area Management Categories
The enlisting of protected areas is the fundamental strategy being used towards the conservation of the world's natural environment and biodiversity...
II category comprises the Pasterze
Pasterze Glacier
The Pasterze, at approximately 8.4 kilometers in length, is the longest glacier in Austria and in the Eastern Alps reaching from the Johannisberg to above sea level. It lies within the Hohe Tauern mountain range in Carinthia, directly beneath Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner...
and numerous further glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s, the Krimml Waterfalls, several glacial valleys and alluvial fan
Alluvial fan
An alluvial fan is a fan-shaped deposit formed where a fast flowing stream flattens, slows, and spreads typically at the exit of a canyon onto a flatter plain. A convergence of neighboring alluvial fans into a single apron of deposits against a slope is called a bajada, or compound alluvial...
s, as well as extended tundra
Alpine tundra
Alpine tundra is a natural region that does not contain trees because it is at high altitude. Alpine tundra is distinguished from arctic tundra, because alpine soils are generally better drained than arctic soils...
areas and forests. Among the flora of the Alps
Flora of the Alps
The flora of the Alps is diverse. In the mountains, the vegetation gradually changes with altitude, sun exposure, and location on the mountain. There are five successive life zones, each with distinct landscapes and vegetation characteristics: premontane, montane, subalpine, alpine, and...
, especially Swiss Pine
Swiss Pine
The Swiss Pine or Arolla Pine, Pinus cembra, is a species of pine tree that occurs in the Alps and Carpathian Mountains of central Europe, in Poland , Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania. It typically grows at to altitude. It often reaches the...
s grow along the tree line; above subshrub
Subshrub
A subshrub or dwarf shrub is a short woody plant. Prostrate shrub is a similar term.It is distinguished from a shrub by its ground-hugging stems and lower height, with overwintering perennial woody growth typically less than 10–20 cm tall, or by being only weakly woody and/or persisting...
, mainly alpenrose
Rhododendron ferrugineum
Rhododendron ferrugineum is an evergreen shrub that grows just above the tree line in the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura and northern Apennines, on acid soils. It may grow up to 1 m tall and produces clusters of pinkish-red, bell-shaped flowers throughout the summer...
but also the endemic saxifraga rudolphiana, up to nival level
Altitudinal zonation
Altitudinal zonation in mountainous regions describes the natural layering of ecosystems that occurs at distinct altitudes due to varying environmental conditions. Temperature, humidity, soil composition, and solar radiation are important factors in determining altitudinal zones, which consequently...
at about 2,800 m (9,200 ft). The fauna includes chamois
Chamois
The chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra, is a goat-antelope species native to mountains in Europe, including the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, the European Alps, the Tatra Mountains, the Balkans, parts of Turkey, and the Caucasus. The chamois has also been introduced to the South Island of New Zealand...
, Alpine ibex
Alpine Ibex
The Alpine ibex, , is a species of wild goat that lives in the mountains of the European Alps. In its habitat region, the species is known as bouquetin , steinbock , and stambecco ....
and red deer
Red Deer
The red deer is one of the largest deer species. Depending on taxonomy, the red deer inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being...
, as well as griffon vulture
Griffon Vulture
The Griffon Vulture is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae.The Griffon Vulture is long with a wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh and females typically weigh , while in the Indian subspecies the vultures average...
and the golden eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
. The former extinct bearded vulture and the Alpine marmot
Alpine Marmot
The Alpine Marmot is a species of marmot found in mountainous areas of central and southern Europe. Alpine marmots live at heights between 800 and 3,200 metres in the Alps, Carpathians, Tatras, the Pyrenees and Northern Apennines in Italy...
have been successfully reintroduced.
The park was established according to a 1971 declaration signed by the participating states at Heiligenblut
Heiligenblut
Heiligenblut is a municipality in the district of Spittal an der Drau in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Situated in the high-Alpine region of the Hohe Tauern mountain range at 1,288 meters, Heiligenblut is located at the foot of the Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, and the Pasterze...
, it nevertheless took until 1981, when the first parts around Großglockner and Hochschober in Carinthia were put under protection. The adjacent area in Salzburg followed two years later, and Tyrol finally joined in 1992. Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
only increased marginally since the creation of the national park, but has become less harmful to the environment. A particular emphasis is put on environmental protection and the maintenance of traditional ways of life in the Alps.
Peaks
| Peak | Group | Elevation (m/ft) | Prominence Topographic prominence In topography, prominence, also known as autonomous height, relative height, shoulder drop , or prime factor , categorizes the height of the mountain's or hill's summit by the elevation between it and the lowest contour line encircling it and no higher summit... (m/ft) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Großglockner Großglockner The Grossglockner is, at 3,798 m above sea level, Austria's highest mountain and the highest mountain in the Alps east of the Brenner Pass... |
Glockner | 3798 | 12,461 | 2423 | 7,949 |
| Großvenediger Großvenediger Großvenediger is generally considered to be Austria's fourth highest mountain... |
Venediger | 3666 | 12,028 | 1199 | 3,934 |
| Großes Wiesbachhorn Großes Wiesbachhorn The Großes Wiesbachhorn is a mountain in the federal state of Salzburg, Austria and, at , is the third-highest peak of the Hohe Tauern range.... |
Glockner | 3564 | 11,693 | 477 | 1,565 |
| Dreiherrnspitze Dreiherrnspitze The Dreiherrnspitze is a mountain on the border between Salzburg, Tyrol, both Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy.- References :*Willi End: Alpenvereinsführer Venedigergruppe, München 2006, ISBN 3-7633-1242-0... |
Venediger | 3499 | 11,480 | 591 | 1,939 |
| Rötspitze Rötspitze The Rötspitze is a mountain in the Hohe Tauern on the border between Tyrol, Austria, and South Tyrol, Italy.- References :* Willi End: Alpenvereinsführer Venedigergruppe, München 2006, ISBN 3-7633-1242-0... |
Venediger | 3496 | 11,470 | 653 | 2,142 |
| Johannisberg Johannisberg (High Tauern) The Johannisberg, formerly also called the Keeserkopf and Herzoghut, is a 3,453 metre high mountain in the Glockner Group in the central section of the main Tauern crest, a mountain range in the Austrian Central Alps. The mountain lies right on the border between the Austrian states of Salzburg and... |
Glockner | 3453 | 11,329 | 277 | 909 |
| Hochgall Hochgall - References :* Werner Beikircher: Rieserfernergruppe Bergverlag Rother, 1983. ISBN 3-7633-1227-7... |
Rieserferner | 3436 | 11,273 | 1148 | 3,766 |
| Hoher Eichham | Venediger | 3371 | 11,060 | 325 | 1,066 |
| Hoher Tenn | Glockner | 3368 | 11,050 | 335 | 1,099 |
| Malhamspitze | Venediger | 3368 | 11,050 | 319 | 1,047 |
| Hochalmspitze | Ankogel | 3360 | 11,024 | 942 | 3,091 |
| Großer Geiger | Venediger | 3360 | 11,024 | 293 | 961 |
| Schneebiger Nock | Rieserferner | 3358 | 11,017 | 542 | 1,778 |
| Fuscherkarkopf Fuscherkarkopf The Fuscherkarkopf, sometimes also written Fuscher-Kar-Kopf in German and formerly also called the Fuschereiskarkopf, is one of the twin peaks of a mountain in the Glockner Group in the centre of the main mountain chain in the High Tauern, a range in the Austrian Central Alps... |
Glockner | 3331 | 10,928 | 489 | 1,604 |
| Keeskogel | Venediger | 3291 | 10,797 | 373 | 1,224 |
| Schlieferspitze | Venediger | 3290 | 10,794 | 513 | 1,683 |
| Petzeck | Schober | 3283 | 10,771 | 802 | 2,631 |
| Roter Knopf | Schober | 3281 | 10,764 | 556 | 1,824 |
| Ankogel | Ankogel | 3264 | 10,709 | 570 | 1,870 |
| Hocharn | Goldberg | 3254 | 10,676 | 678 | 2,224 |
| Grosser Hornkopf | Schober | 3251 | 10,666 | 456 | 1,496 |
| Hohe Fürlegg | Venediger | 3243 | 10,640 | 385 | 1,263 |
| Hochschober | Schober | 3242 | 10,636 | 438 | 1,437 |
| Grosser Muntanitz | Granatspitz | 3232 | 10,604 | 717 | 2,352 |
| Hocheiser | Glockner | 3206 | 10,518 | 577 | 1,893 |
| Glödis | Schober | 3206 | 10,518 | 370 | 1,214 |
| Kitzsteinhorn Kitzsteinhorn The Kitzsteinhorn is a mountain in the main chain of the Alps in the district of Kaprun, Salzburg, Austria. The Kitzsteinhorn is part of the Hohe Tauern range in the eastern Alps and reaches a height of above sea level. It was first climbed in 1828 by Johann Entacher.The summit can be reached... |
Glockner | 3204 | 10,512 | 439 | 1,440 |
| Durreck | Venediger | 3135 | 10,285 | 626 | 2,054 |
| Hoher Sonnblick | Goldberg | 3106 | 10,196 | 271 | 889 |
| Lasörling | Venediger | 3098 | 10,164 | 490 | 1,608 |
| Großer Hafner | Hafner | 3068 | 10,066 | 868 | 2,848 |
| Hoher Prijakt | Schober | 3064 | 10,052 | 470 | 1,542 |
| Weisse Spitze | Villgraten | 2963 | 9,721 | 920 | 3,018 |
| Polinik | Kreuzeck | 2784 | 9,134 | 1580 | 5,184 |
Tunnels and passes
The Hohe Tauern are crossed by three tunnels:- Tauern Railway Tunnel between Bad GasteinBad GasteinBad Gastein is a spa town in the Austrian state of Salzburg, situated at the northern rim of the Hohe Tauern national park. It has 5,838 inhabitants. The name "Bad" means "spa", reflecting the town's history as a health resort. It is located at the head of the Gastein valley, about 1,000 metres ...
and MallnitzMallnitzMallnitz is a town in the district of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia in Austria....
, finished in 1906 - KatschbergKatschberg PassKatschberg Pass is a high mountain pass in the Central Eastern Alps in Austria between Rennweg am Katschberg in the state of Carinthia and Sankt Michael im Lungau in Salzburg....
Tunnel on A10 Tauern AutobahnTauern AutobahnThe Tauern Autobahn is an autobahn in Austria. It starts at the Salzburg junction with the Westautobahn , runs southwards, crosses the Tauern mountain range of the Central Eastern Alps and leads to the Süd Autobahn and Karawanken Autobahn at Villach in Carinthia...
(European route E55European route E55European route E 55 is a E-route. It passes through the following cities:Helsingborg … Helsingør – Copenhagen – Køge – Vordingborg – Nykøbing Falster – Gedser … Rostock – Berlin – Lübbenau – Dresden – Teplice – Prague – Tábor – Linz – Salzburg – Villach – Tarvisio – Udine – Palmanova – Mestre...
) leading from Sankt Michael im LungauSankt Michael im LungauSankt Michael im Lungau is a market town on the upper Mur River in the Tamsweg district in the Austrian state of Salzburg.-History:The parish church dedicated to Saint Michael was first mentioned in 1147...
and the Tauern Road TunnelTauern Road TunnelThe Tauern Road Tunnel is located in the Austrian federal state of Salzburg in Austria on the Tauern Autobahn north - south connection between Germany and Italy and Slovenia. This is a toll road. Since October 2007, the toll has been 12 euros per car and journey...
to RennwegRennweg am KatschbergRennweg am Katschberg is a market town in the district of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia, Austria. It consists of the Katastralgemeinden Rennweg, St. Peter and Oberdorf.- Geography :... - Felbertauerntunnel on B108 Felbertauern Straße highway, between MittersillMittersillMittersill is a city in the federal state of Salzburg, Austria, in the Pinzgau region of the Alps. It is located on the Salzach River. It had a population of 5,464 in 2005.- Geography :...
and Matrei in OsttirolMatrei in OsttirolMatrei in Osttirol is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.-Location:-External links:...
The best-known mountain pass road of the Hohe Tauern is the scenic Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a panoramic road in Austria, in the state of Salzburg. It connects the state of Salzburg with the state of Carinthia...
inaugurated in 1935, including a tunnel at an elevation of 2505 metres (8,218.5 ft) under the Hochtor Pass (2573 metres (8,441.6 ft)). East of it, the Katschberg Pass
Katschberg Pass
Katschberg Pass is a high mountain pass in the Central Eastern Alps in Austria between Rennweg am Katschberg in the state of Carinthia and Sankt Michael im Lungau in Salzburg....
(1641 metres (5,383.9 ft)) on B 99 Katschberg Straße highway parallel to the Katschberg Tunnel links Sankt Michael and Rennweg. Another road crosses the Staller Sattel
Staller Sattel
Staller Sattel is a high mountain pass in the Alps on the border between the Tyrol in Austria and South Tyrol in Italy.It connects the Defereggen valley in Tyrol with the Antholz valley in South Tyrol....
between Sankt Jakob in Defereggen
Sankt Jakob in Defereggen
Sankt Jakob in Defereggen is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.Mario Scheiber, a skier, is from the town.- External links :* - city website...
and Rasen-Antholz
Rasen-Antholz
Rasen-Antholz is a municipality in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about 110 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 60 km northeast of the city of Bolzano, on the border with Austria.-Geography:...
at 2052 metres (6,732.3 ft).
Beside there are numerous bridle and foot paths, in part used since ancient times:
| Mountain pass | Location | Type | Elevation (m/ft) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riffeltor | Kaprun Kaprun Kaprun is a small alpine village in the district of Zell am See in the state of Salzburg, Austria. At the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, it is a year round sports centre, with a population of 2,903 .... to Heiligenblut Heiligenblut Heiligenblut is a municipality in the district of Spittal an der Drau in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Situated in the high-Alpine region of the Hohe Tauern mountain range at 1,288 meters, Heiligenblut is located at the foot of the Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, and the Pasterze... |
snow | 3051 | 10,010 |
| Bockkarscharte | Ferleiten Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße is a municipality, at the foot of Grossglockner mountain, in the district of Zell am See , in the state of Salzburg in Austria. The Fusch valley lies north of the main chain of the Alps. The population is 697... to Heiligenblut Heiligenblut Heiligenblut is a municipality in the district of Spittal an der Drau in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Situated in the high-Alpine region of the Hohe Tauern mountain range at 1,288 meters, Heiligenblut is located at the foot of the Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, and the Pasterze... |
snow | 3046 | 9994 |
| Sonnblickscharte | Rauris Rauris Rauris is a municipality in Salzburg in the area of Pinzgau in Austria. There are about 3,150 inhabitants living in Rauris.- Geography :... to Heiligenblut Heiligenblut Heiligenblut is a municipality in the district of Spittal an der Drau in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Situated in the high-Alpine region of the Hohe Tauern mountain range at 1,288 meters, Heiligenblut is located at the foot of the Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, and the Pasterze... |
snow | 2979 | 9774 |
| Vörder Umbaltorl | Prägraten Prägraten am Großvenediger Prägraten am Großvenediger is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.-External links:... to Ahrntal Ahrntal Ahrntal is a Gemeinde and valley in South Tyrol in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.-Geography:The municipality lies about 120 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 70 km northeast of the city of Bolzano, on the border with Austria... |
snow | 2928 | 9607 |
| Obersulzbachtorl | Prägraten to Wald im Pinzgau Wald im Pinzgau Wald im Pinzgau is a municipality in the district of Zell am See , in the state of Salzburg in Austria. The population is 1176.-Municipal divisions:... |
snow | 2926 | 9600 |
| Untersulzbachtorl | Innergschlöß Matrei in Osttirol Matrei in Osttirol is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.-Location:-External links:... to Wald im Pinzgau |
snow | 2865 | 9400 |
| Schwarzkopfscharte | Innergschlöß to Bramberg | snow | 2850 | 9351 |
| Prägratertorl | Prägraten to Defereggental Sankt Jakob in Defereggen Sankt Jakob in Defereggen is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.Mario Scheiber, a skier, is from the town.- External links :* - city website... |
foot path | 2846 | 9338 |
| Glodistorl | Lienz Lienz Lienz is a medieval town in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is the administrative centre of the Lienz district, which covers all of East Tyrol. The municipality also includes the cadastral subdivision of Patriasdorf.-Geography:... to Kals Kals am Großglockner Kals am Großglockner is a town in the district of Lienz in the exclave of East Tirol in Tyrol, Austria.- Geography :Kals is located in northern East Tirol, near the border to Salzburg and Carinthia... |
snow | 2832 | 9292 |
| Antholzerscharte | Rein in Taufers Sand in Taufers Sand in Taufers is a comune in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about 110 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 70 km northeast of the city of Bolzano, on the border with Austria.... to Rasen-Antholz Rasen-Antholz Rasen-Antholz is a municipality in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about 110 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 60 km northeast of the city of Bolzano, on the border with Austria.-Geography:... |
snow | 2820 | 9252 |
| Krimmlertorl | Krimmler Achental to Obersulzbachtal | snow | 2814 | 9233 |
| Goldzechscharte | Rauris to Heiligenblut | snow | 2810 | 9220 |
| Kalsertorl | Lienz to Kals | snow | 2803 | 9197 |
| Ober Tramerscharte | Rauris to Döllach Großkirchheim Großkirchheim is a town in the district of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia in Austria.... |
snow | 2802 | 9193 |
| Kleine Elendscharte | Bad Gastein Bad Gastein Bad Gastein is a spa town in the Austrian state of Salzburg, situated at the northern rim of the Hohe Tauern national park. It has 5,838 inhabitants. The name "Bad" means "spa", reflecting the town's history as a health resort. It is located at the head of the Gastein valley, about 1,000 metres ... to Gmünd |
snow | 2739 | 8987 |
| Kleine Zirknitzscharte | Rauris to Döllach | snow | 2719 | 8921 |
| Mallnitzerscharte | Mallnitz Mallnitz Mallnitz is a town in the district of Spittal an der Drau in Carinthia in Austria.... to Gmünd |
snow | 2677 | 8783 |
| Große Elendscharte | Mallnitz to upper Maltatal Maltatal Maltatal is a valley in Austria in the Austrian Alps. It is known for its ice falls during snow-melt season.... |
snow | 2673 | 8770 |
| Unter Pfandlscharte | Ferleiten to Heiligenblut | snow | 2665 | 8744 |
| Bergertorl | Ferleiten to Heiligenblut | foot path | 2650 | 8695 |
| Kaprunertorl | Kaprun to upper Stubachtal | snow | 2635 | 8645 |
| Virgner or Defereggertorl | Defereggental to Virgen Virgen Virgen is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.-External links:... |
foot path | 2617 | 8586 |
| Backlenke or Trojerjoch | Defereggental to Prägraten | foot path | 2613 | 8573 |
| Felber Tauern | Matrei in Osttirol Matrei in Osttirol Matrei in Osttirol is a municipality in the district of Lienz in Tyrol in Austria.-Location:-External links:... to Mittersill Mittersill Mittersill is a city in the federal state of Salzburg, Austria, in the Pinzgau region of the Alps. It is located on the Salzach River. It had a population of 5,464 in 2005.- Geography :... |
bridle path | 2540 | 8334 |
| Kalser Tauern | Kals to Mittersill | foot path | 2512 | 8242 |
| Hohe Tauern | Bad Gastein Bad Gastein Bad Gastein is a spa town in the Austrian state of Salzburg, situated at the northern rim of the Hohe Tauern national park. It has 5,838 inhabitants. The name "Bad" means "spa", reflecting the town's history as a health resort. It is located at the head of the Gastein valley, about 1,000 metres ... to Mallnitz |
bridle path | 2463 | 8081 |
| Niedere or Mallnitzer Tauern | Bad Gastein to Mallnitz | bridle path | 2414 | 7920 |
| Fuschertorl | Ferleiten to the Seidlwinkeltal | foot path | 2405 | 7891 |
| Klammljoch | Defereggental to Sand in Taufers Sand in Taufers Sand in Taufers is a comune in South Tyrol in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, located about 110 km northeast of the city of Trento and about 70 km northeast of the city of Bolzano, on the border with Austria.... |
bridle path | 2291 | 7517 |
| Arlscharte | Gmünd to Sankt Johann im Pongau Sankt Johann im Pongau St. Johann im Pongau or St.Johann/Pg. is a small town in the middle of the province of Salzburg in Austria. It is the capital of the district of Pongau.-History:On 24 June 2000 the town of St... |
foot path | 2251 | 7386 |
| Kals Matreiertorl | Kals to Matrei | bridle path | 2206 | 7238 |
| Stanz | Bad Gastein to Rauris | foot path | 2103 | 6900 |