The Alpe-Adria Trail: the ultimate long-distance hiking experience.

• The Alpe-Adria Trail runs from the glacier at the foot of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
• It connects three regions in three countries: Carinthia, Slovenia, Friuli Venezia Giulia.
• Spanning a total of 750 kilometres divided into 43 stages, the AAT takes hikers through the stunning mountain and lake areas of Carinthia, the wild beauty of the Triglav National Park, the gentle landscape of Friuli, all the way to the seashore in Muggia.
• The Alpe-Adria Trail is all about an enjoyable hiking experience on paths that pose no particular technical challenges.

The Nationalpark Lodge Grossglockner is located on the first two stages of the Alpe-Adria Trail. As an official partner company, we welcome long-distance hikers with a range of attractive offers.

Stage 01 Alpe-Adria Trail: Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe to Heiligenblut

Stage 02 Alpe-Adria Trail: Heiligenblut to Döllach

Your journey to Heiligenblut becomes an outstanding experience in its own right as soon as the Grossglockner High-Alpine Road is declared open for the summer months.

Ever since 1935, the Grossglockner High-Alpine Road has connected Fusch-Ferleiten in the county of Salzburg with Heiligenblut. 48 kilometres long and comprising 36 bends, the mountain pass road winds its way into the very heart of Hohe Tauern National Park. The highest point of the Grossglockner High-Alpine Road is the ‘Edelweissspitze’ with an altitude of just over 2,500 m.

With plenty of stop-over opportunities, scenic viewing points, attractions and visitor centres along the way, the drive itself turns into a fantastic outing – always accompanied by the spectacular panorama of the Hohe Tauern mountains and their mightiest peaks.

The Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest nature conservation area both within Austria and the Eastern Alps. Encompassing a space of 1,856 km² across the counties of Carinthia, Salzburg and Tyrol, the Hohe Tauern National Park is the last large-scale natural area in Austria. It is divided into a strictly protected core zone and a peripheral buffer zone.

This untouched alpine environment provides natural habitats for wildlife such as chamois, ibex, marmots, golden eagles and snow hares – while the landscape is characterised by expansive rock formations, glacier fields, cascading waterfalls, romantic wild valleys and lush alpine pastures.

With our Into the Wild programme of outdoor excursions, we endeavour to pass on our passion for this uniquely beautiful environment to our guests, enhancing their visit with truly unforgettable experiences.

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.

The village of Heiligenblut, St. Vincent parish church and, in the background, the mighty Grossglockner: a perfect postcard image that has become famous around the world. To us, this is simply our home – the place whose natural landscape, cultural traditions and history have become an inherent part of who we are.

The first settlers in Heiligenblut can be traced back to around 300 BC. For centuries, agriculture and animal husbandry were their primary sources of livehood, until new occupations such as freight carriers (‘Säumer’) and gold mining began to bring wealth to the region.

In 1273, the first pilgrims visited Heiligenblut, to see the small vial of ‘Heiligen Bluet’ (holy blood) said to have been brought here by Briccius, a Byzantine general travelling from Constantinople. In 1491, the newly refurbished parish church opened its doors – now spacious enough to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of pilgrims. From 1642 onwards, our ancestors provided lodgings for pilgrims in need of rest after a long journey – setting the cornerstone for a long tradition of hospitality within our family.

The first ascent of the Grossglockner, followed by the development of alpinism and the construction of the Grossglockner High-Alpine Road, all marked the early advancement of tourism in Heiligenblut. Today, Heiligenblut is a modern-day example of Gentle Tourism that covers the full spectrum of holiday styles: relaxation and adrenaline, nature and cultural heritage.

We've been coming to this hotel for three years, and have previously had holidays all over Austria. There's nothing quite like it: no hullaballoo, a great family atmosphere, everything feels very friendly. That's why we keep coming back. I don't need hundreds of kilometres of piste – it's more about how amazing the pistes are. In the right weather conditions, the off-piste terrain is unbeatable and comparatively safe. That's hugely important.

– Andreas Scherer

I've been a regular guest at the Nationalpark Lodge for a number of years now, starting from when it was still known as the Hotel Glocknerhof. The refurbishment has been beautifully done. To me, the hotel is almost like a second home – you just feel that you're among friends. I come here to recharge my energy in winter and summer alike, and sometimes manage to fit in a weekend break.

– Zoltan Laszlo

In one form or another, our hotel bar has been the go-to place for adventurers since 1858: it is built on the very spot where our family’s historical ‘Bergführerhäusl’ once stood – an innovative agency that once connected the early Glockner-pioneers with local mountain guides.

Today, this is where our guests come to relax after an eventful day in the wild, enjoy a nightcap and some banter, gather information about our outdoor programme, or book their next Into the Wild tour. Others simply like to unwind in front of the open fire, dreaming of the wilderness outside.

In tribute to the pioneering spirit that has always infused our family, we have named it the Pioneers’ Bar.