Kals-am Großglockner Local Customs

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The Grossclockner High Alpine Road was built between 1930 - 1935. Its total length is 48 kilometres incorporating 36 hair raising bends with an altitude ascent of 2,504 metres. Back in 1935 the visitor numbers were around 120,000. This number, not surprisingly, dropped dramatically during the war years to 27,000., the road suffered a lot of damage due to the heavy use of tanks and inexpert snow clearing during the occupation. After WWll the road was repaired. The road was later widened from six metres to seven and a half metres and the speed limit increased for 4 kilometres per hour to 70 kilometres. Parking was also increased from a mere 800 spaces to a massive 4,000 giving the road the capacity to carry an amazing 350,000 vehicles. Work was completed after just twenty five months and the High Alpine Road was officially opened once again on the 31st. December 1962. Strange to think this road has no real purpose except to transport tourists through the National Park and the Grossclockner Mountian - on saying this if you like thrilling scenic drives this is the road for you