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    Austria

    Großglockner (Heiligenblut) – Cycling Inspiration & Education



    At 3,798 metres high Austria’s white giant is every bit as imposing as it is intriguing, enveloped by an aura of natural beauty that’s beyond imagination. Originally built to showcase the true delights of the Hohe Tauern National Park, and to bolster the country’s flailing economy after the First World War, the Großglockner High Alpine Road excelled all expectations bringing over 50 million tourists to the area since it opened in 1935.

    Starting in Heiligenblut you initially trace your way through lush Glockner meadows as the gradient pitches up and holds its form at over double figures for the first 6km. A moment of respite gifts you an extra heartbeat to savour your surrounds before the final push, past the powerful Fensterbach waterfalls, towards the eternal ice plain of the Pasterze Glacier and the foot of the legendary Großglockner itself. Without question absolutely one of the most spectacular roads you’ll ever ride. And breathe…..

    Start: Heiligenblut
    Length: 16.4km
    Summit: 2,369m
    Elevation gain: 1,069m
    Average gradient: 8.1%
    Max gradient: 12%
    Ridden in June

    Thank you to our partners Mavic, Cannondale, Exposure Lights, Fi’zi:k, Haute Route, Lezyne, Map My Tracks, Muc Off, Scicon, The Sufferfest, TORQ and USE for enabling us to bring these truly special mountains to life for you all. If you’re in need of new bike kit in the future and you enjoyed this video then bear them in mind and help keep the wheels turning 🙂
     
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    Stay well, ride safe and thank you for watching.

    Mike Cotty
    The Col Collective

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    View 30 Comments

    30 Comments

    9. MartinhoAUT on

      For myself, the climb to the Hochtor is the most spectacular feature on this tour. At Franz-Josefs Höhe you only had the half way to the top, and the panorama is the greatest when you get out of the tunnel.

    11. Mert Aktalay on

      Hello! Great video! Just booked my second cycling trip inspired by this channel. First one was Alpe D'huez. I have one little problem, though. I don't want to carry my bike and I thought I could easily rent one but I cannot seem to find a decent shop that offers bike rentals, even as far as Salzburg. I hope someone who reads these comments can come up with some recommendations!!!

    14. Alex Morgan on

      Too many slow motion shots disguising his suffering becomes irritating. Didn't bother watching to the end.
      I've cycled up the Grossglockner on a heavily laden touring bike. Should be a breeze on a carbon road bike.

    16. Frazer Goodwin on

      Did it from the other (North) side from Zell am See and then Frusch. One thing this vid doesn't tell you is take some small change – the medal machine takes €1 and a 5 cent coin only. Shop was closed when I got there and you could only see the machine from it not any view as it was in the clouds  and raining… Couldn't get change or a medal so I could only take a pic with my phone of the machine. Man, I got cold on the descent too!

    17. Tobi Eh on

      Awesome! But i am still waiting for a video of you climbing to the very top, the Edelweißspitze (from either side, heiligenblut or ferleiten)!

    20. Peter Williams on

      I recall reading a report by the great Bill Bradley in the 60s of him winning at the top of this col having attacked on the cobbled hairpins when his rival kept dropping onto his smaller chainring on every hairpin. An inspiring report, especially to a cycling mad teenager !!

    23. darkbubble992 on

      In the end credits I can see the north route to Großglockner from Ferleiten (to Fuscher Törl). Will you upload a video on this way sometime? I would be really happy about it 🙂

    24. miivii on

      Did it in 2019. First from Pockhorn to Hochtor & Edelweiss-spitze and later on Franz Joseph Hoche to bring out some memoirs on climbing Palavicini route ( Mt. Grossglockner north wall). Great times with climbing buddy Johny.

      It was Grand Tour indeed. The best part of tour was meeting Volodya, friendly cycle traveler from Russia and ice cream in Heiligenblut with my girlfriend. Later we went to cool down by Weissensee lake.

      Great weekend, super cycling and superb sightseeing.

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