The Alpine Landscape

The Eastern Alps shape Austria's topography: From the Großglockner (3,798 m, Austria's highest mountain) over the Ötztal, Stubai, and Zillertal Alps to the gentler foothills in Styria — the country is one vast panorama. Around 62% of the national territory is alpine.

The Austrian Alps can be roughly divided into zones:

• High Alps (over 2,500 m) — glaciated peaks, rock, and ice. The Pasterze glacier on the Großglockner is the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, but shrinking dramatically
• Alpine Meadows (1,500–2,500 m) — the alpine region with its flower meadows, herders, and alpine huts. In summer, cows graze here, in autumn they are driven down to the valley during the Almabtrieb
• Mountain Forests (800–1,500 m) — dense spruce, larch, and beech forests, crisscrossed by hiking trails and forest roads
• Valleys and Basins — the Inn Valley, Salzach Valley, Drava Valley, and Mur Valley are the lifelines, along which cities, villages, and transport routes run

East of the Alps, the land opens to the Pannonian Plain: The Vienna Basin, Marchfeld, and Burgenland have a mild, almost steppe-like climate — the Puszta practically begins at Vienna's gates. The Neusiedler See, Europe's second-largest steppe lake, is the scenic highlight here.

The Großglockner High Alpine Road (48 km, opened in 1935) is one of Europe's most spectacular mountain roads. 36 hairpin bends lead to an altitude of 2,504 m — with breathtaking views of the Großglockner and the Pasterze. Toll required (about €40 per car), but worth every cent.