Kals am Grossglockner

Kals sits at about thirteen hundred metres at the head of a valley running north from the Iselal into the Hohe Tauern, and it is the main approach to the Grossglockner from the Tyrolean side; the first ascent, in July 1800, an expedition organised by Franz Xaver von Salm-Reifferscheidt, prince-bishop of Gurk, came up from Heiligenblut on the Carinthian side. The normal route still goes from here through the Stüdlhütte and the Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte, the highest hut in Austria at 3,454 metres. The village keeps a guiding tradition and a mountaineering museum. Below the peak, the Kalser Tal and the Dorfertal are inside the national park, with walking to the Kalser Tauern and a road as far as the Lucknerhaus.

History

The Kals valley may have been settled as early as the Palaeolithic, Kals is first named on 19 August 1197, and a large copper mine opened here in the 16th century (Wikipedia, Kals am Großglockner).

The main sights

• The Grossglockner approach - the main route up from the Tyrolean side.
• A guiding village - the local tradition and the small mountaineering museum.
• Austria's highest hut - the Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte at 3,454 metres above.
• National park valleys - the Kalser Tal and Dorfertal walking country.

When to go

June to September; the high routes need settled weather. Two days.

Before you go

The Grossglockner is a serious glaciated climb needing a guide, equipment and experience - it is not a walk-up, and people die on it most years. The toll road ends well below the peak.

Nearby

Lienz is south; Heiligenblut and the high alpine road are over the ridge east.

Key facts