Geography Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Located in the High Tauern range of the Central Eastern Alps, Heiligenblut is a high valley on the northern edge of Carinthia close to East Tyrol and the state of Salzburg. Tucked at the Pasterze Glacier and the base of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, the municipality includes the cadastral towns of Apriach, Rojach, Zlapp, and Hof.
Heiligenblut is especially the southern terminus of the picturesque Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which leads to Bruck in Salzburg, and the old Hochtor Pass, now included into the B107 road from Lienz in East Tyrol. The area presents a variety of attractions including an open-air museum, the Heiligenblut-Roßbach-Schareck cable car rising to 2,606 m, the Stockmühlen mills in Apriach with nine flume mills, Lake Kachelsee to the west, Möll, Gößnitz, and Leiter waterfalls, the Margaritzen reservoir, and Lake Sandersee.
One of a kind in Europe is the neighboring railway tunnel at 1,798 m, to the Fleißalm mountain range. Whereas the 1.6 km tunnel runs as a railway tunnel allowing access to the Fleißalm winter sports zone in winter, it is water-filled in summer.
Not only does Heiligenblut’s geographical location—alongside the Johannisberg and Fuscherkarkopf in the Alpine divide—position it at the foot of Grossglockner but also offers a portal to many natural and cultural sites. Engineering wonder, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road improves connectivity and provides panoramic views.
Apart from its natural beauty, Heiligenblut features cultural sites including the Stockmühlen mills, so adding to the historical richness of the area. The fact that the municipality provides the base for the cable car to Schareck at 2,606 m emphasizes its importance as a center for alpine aficionados, drawing tourists with its picturesque appeal and leisure activities.
Moreover, the dual use of the Fleißalm railway tunnel—from a summer water-filled construction to a vital winter transportation route—showcases creative engineering and seasonal adaptation. This multifarious use reflects the inventiveness of the local infrastructure, so serving water management requirements as well as enabling winter sports accessibility.
Location
Situated at the northwest edge of Carinthia, Heiligenblut am Großglockner borders Salzburg and East Tyrol. Situated 1,288 meters above sea level in a high valley of the High Tauern range within the Central Eastern Alps, it is With a population of roughly 1,020 persons, it covers 193.53 square kilometers.
Situated at the foot of the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner, and of the Pasterze Glacier, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, Heiligenblut am Großglockner Part of the Alpine split separating Carinthia from Salzburg, the Grossglockner is Part of the Glockner Group, a subrange of the High Tauern, the Pasterze Glacier Additionally near the Hohe Tauern National Park, the second-largest national park in Europe and the biggest in Austria, Heiligenblut am Großglockner is.
Surrounded by several neighboring areas with unique qualities and attractions, Heiligenblut am Großglockner is The Pinzgau area of Salzburg, northward, is well-known for its ski resorts, hiking paths, and historical sites. Popular for rafting, cycling, and climbing, the Mölltal valley in Carinthia is to the east. East Tyrol’s Lienz district, to the south, presents a range of cultural and natural wonders including the Bruck Castle, Roman city of Aguntum, and Lienz Dolomites. From the west, the Matrei in Osttirol ski area, the Virgen valley, and the Umbal Falls call East Tyrol’s Iseltal valley home.
Depending on the season and the direction, one can reach Heiligenblut am Großglockner by several kinds of transportation. Comprising Heiligenblut am Großglockner to Bruck in Salzburg, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the most picturesque and well-known path. May through October the road is open and provides breathtaking views of the mountains, glaciers, and wildlife. The road also forms part of the B107 highway, which keeps on towards Lienz in East Tyrol. The B106 highway, which connects Spittal a der Drau in Carinthia to the A10 motorway, offers still another choice. On the other hand, Heiligenblut am Großglockner is reachable by train from Salzburg to Villach with a stop at Mallnitz. A bus service then runs from Heiligenblut am Großglockner.
Terrain and Topography
From alpine meadows and forests to rocky peaks and glaciers, Heiligenblut am Großglockner features a varied and tough terrain. Three cadastral communities—Apriach, Rojach, and Zlapp und Hof—form the municipality. Located in the Rojach valley, a tributary of the Möll river, Heiligenblut am Großglockner’s main settlement is Comprising a side valley of the Rojach valley, the Apriach valley features historical monument Stockmühlen mills. Comprising the Fleißalm ski area and the Margaritzen reservoir, the Zlapp und Hof valley is another side valley of the Rojach valley.
Mountain Ranges
Surrounded by many mountain ranges with unique qualities and challenges, Heiligenblut am Großglockner Comprising the High Tauern, the most notable and dominating range is the Glockner Group. Among Austria’s highest and most glaciated mountains, the Grossglockner, the Grosses Wiesbachhorn, and the Johannisberg comprise the Glockner Group. Additionally forming the border between Carinthia and Salzburg and the watershed separating the Danube from the Rhine is the Glasner Group. Comprising the High Tauern as well, the Goldberg Group is another significant range. Comprising the Sonnblick, the Hocharn, and the Schareck, the Goldberg Group is situated to the south of the Glockner Group Gold deposits mined from the 14th to the 18th centuries are well-known from the Goldberg Group. Comprising the Schober Group, a part of the Central Alps, a third range is Comprising the Hochschober, the Petzeck, and the Glödis, the Schober Group is situated to the southwest of the Glockner Group The limestone and dolomite rocks of the Schober Group define steep cliffs and karst formations.
Key Mountain Peaks
Attracting many mountaineers and visitors, Heiligenblut am Großglockner boasts some of the most striking and famous mountain tops in Austria. Standing at 3,798 meters, the Grossglockner is the most well-known and highest peak symbolizing the area. Four climbers headed by Prince-Bishop Franz Xaver von Salm-Reifferscheidt first ascended the Grossglockner in 1800. Starting from the Stüdl Hut and following the Ködnitzkees glacier and the Kleinglockner ridge, the Normal Route is the most often used and easiest one among the several paths of varied difficulty available for the Grossglockner. Standing at 3,564 meters and third-highest peak in Austria, the Grosses Wiesbachhorn presents the most difficult and famous peak. Six climbers under Ignaz von Kürsinger led first ascent of the Grosses Wiesbachhorn in 1829 Though the Grosses Wiesbachhorn offers several challenging paths, the most well-known and difficult one is the North Face, a classic ice climb rated D+. Standing at 3,453 meters, the Johannisberg is the fourth highest peak in Austria and the most picturesque and panoramic one. Four climbers under Johann Stüdl led first ascent of the Johannisberg in 1858 Starting from the Oberwalder Hut and following the Pasterze Glacier and the Johannisbergferner, the South Ridge is the most often used and easiest path among the several ones of different difficulty available.
Notable Summits
Along with many other noteworthy summits that provide unique perspectives and experiences, Heiligenblut am Großglockner also boasts Among these mountains are some:
- Thirdly highest peak in Austria, the Fuscherkarkopf is 3,331 meters. Three climbers under Paul Grohmann led first ascent of the Fuscherkarkopf in 1865. Starting from the Heinrich-Schwaiger-Haus and following the Fuscherkarkees glacier and the Fuscherkarscharte, the West Ridge is the most often used and easiest path among the several ones available with different difficulty.
- Rising at 3,254 meters, the highest peak in the Goldberg Group is the Hocharn Four climbers under Johann Zopoth led first ascent of the Hocharn in 1827 Starting from the Rauris valley and following the Kolm-Saigurn valley and the Hocharnkees glacier, the Normal Route is the most often used and easiest one among the several paths of different difficulty that the Hocharn offers.
- Rising at 3,242 meters, the highest peak in the Schober Group is the Hochschober Three climbers under Peter Gappmayr led first ascent of the Hochschober in 1841. Starting from the Lienz Hut, the Normal Route—which follows the Hochschober cirque and the Hochschober ridge—is the most often used and easiest one among the several paths of different difficulty offered by the Hochschober.
- Standing at 3,122 meters, the second highest peak in the Goldberg Group is the Schareck Four climbers under Johann Grill led first ascent of the Schareck in 1848. Starting from the Heiligenblut-Roßbach-Schareck cable car and following the Schareck ridge, the Normal Route is the most often used and easiest one among the several paths of different difficulty available.
Valleys and Basins
Rich in valleys and basins as well, Heiligenblut am Großglockner contrasts the high peaks and glaciers. Several of these basins and valleys are:
- Main valley of Heiligenblut am Großglockner and tributary of the Möll valley is the Rojach valley. Heiligenblut am Großglockner’s main village is found in the Rojach valley; additionally, the Gothic church of St. Vincent has a relic of the Holy Blood. Many hiking and skiing paths, including the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the Glasner Round Trail, and the Fleißalm ski area, start in the Rojach valley as well.
- One of the first communities in the area and a side valley of the Rojach valley, the Apriach valley Famously for their Stockmühlen mills—a historical monument and museum of rural life—the Apriach valley is Built between the 16th and the 18th centuries, the 13 water-powered Stockmühlen mills were used for grind-grain, sawing wood, and oil production. Popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is also the Apriach valley.
- Another side valley of the Rojach valley, the Zlapp und Hof valley hosts the Margaritzen reservoir. Built in 1969, the Margaritzen reservoir is a hydroelectric power plant with 12.5 million cubic meters capacity. Visitors may enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing in the Margaritzen reservoir, a leisure space as well. Comprising 12 kilometers of slopes and 4 lifts, the family-friendly Zlapp und Hof valley also boasts the Fleißalm ski area.
Comprising a glacial basin at the base of the Pasterze Glacier and the Grossglockner, the Pasterze basin About 40 square kilometers in area, the Pasterze basin is the biggest glacial basin in the Eastern Alps. - Natural beauty awaits visitors in the Pasterze basin, where they may see how climate change is impacting the glacier—which has been receding since the 19th century. The highest funicular railway in Europe, the Glascher-Kaprun funicular provides panoramic views of the glacier and mountains and access to the Pasterze basin.
Lakes
The several lakes, both natural and manmade, heiligenblut am Großglockner adds to the beauty and variation of this area. Several of these lakes include:
- Situated in the Zirbenwald forest, a protected area of old pine trees, the natural lake known as Zirbenwaldsee With a surface area of 0.2 hectares and a depth of 1.5 meters, the little and calm Zirbenwaldsee lake is Hidden treasure, the Zirbenwaldsee allows guests to savor peace and the natural beauty.
- Natural lake Sandersee, situated on the Sander valley, a side valley of the Pasterze basin. Comprising a surface area of 3.5 square kilometers and a depth of 40 meters, the Sandersee is a sizable glacial lake. Visitors of the gorgeous Sandersee can appreciate the reflection of the mountains and the turquoise hue of the water.
- Natural lake Gößnitzsee, situated on the Gößnitz valley, a side valley of the Möll valley. Comprising 0.6 hectares and a depth of 2.5 meters, the Gößnitzsee is a small and shallow lake. Visitors of the calm and perfect Gößnitzsee can enjoy the mirror of the forest and mountains.
- Part of the Kaprun hydroelectric power plant, the Stausee Mooserboden is an artificial lake. The Stausee Mooserboden is situated on a side valley of the Salzach valley, Kaprun valley. Comprising 83.6 million cubic meters, the Stausee Mooserboden is an enormous and striking lake. Visitors of the picturesque and leisureful Stausee Mooserboden may enjoy hiking, boating, and fishing.
Scenic Views
From many vantage points and angles, Heiligenblut am Großglockner presents some of the most beautiful and amazing views in the Alps. Among these breathtaking views are:
- Situated close to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the viewpoint known as the Glocknerblick Along with the surrounding mountains and valleys, the Glasnerblick presents an amazing perspective of the Grossglockner, Pasterze Glacier, and Johannisberg. Additionally a popular place for pictures and souvenirs is the Glocknerblick.
- Perched at the end of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the viewpoint known as Franz-Josefs-Höhe is Together with the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Zeller See, the Franz-Josefs-Höhe presents a panoramic perspective of the Grossglockner, the Pasterze Glacier, and the Glocknerkamm. Additionally a visitor center, the Franz-Josefs-Höhe offers restaurants, exhibits, and information access.
- Perched on the Glockner-Kaprun funicular close to the Pasterze Glacier, the Gamsgrube is a viewpoint. Along with the local flora and animals, the Gamsgrube presents an amazing perspective of the Pasterze Glacier, the Glocknerwand, and the Pallavicini Couloir. Additionally a nature trail, the Gamsgrube allows guests to discover the glacier’s history and ecology.
- Perched at the highest point of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the viewpoint known as the Hochtor Along with the Alpine divide and the watershed, the Hochtor presents a great perspective of the Grossglockner, the Fuscherkarkopf, and the Fuscherkarkees. Additionally a historical site is the Hochtor, where guests may discover a tunnel and a memorial stone.
