Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse (Bruck side)

Austria's most iconic cycling road and one of the great Alpine climbs in Europe. The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse was constructed between 1930 and 1935 and remains an astonishing feat of engineering: 35km from Bruck an der Glocknerstrasse to the Hochtor summit at 2,506m, climbing 2,000m through 36 switchbacks past glaciers, Alpine lakes, and Europe's highest national park. The gradient averages 5.7% with sustained sections at 10-12% on the upper approaches to the summit tunnel. Beyond the Hochtor, a dramatic 8km spur road climbs further to the Edelweißspitze observation platform at 2,571m — the highest point reachable by road in Austria. The Giro d'Italia used this road in 2022 to devastating effect in the mountains stage from Rovereto; the Patersberg's 12.9% cobbles are brutal but the Glockner's sustained 5.7% over 35km at altitude is a different kind of suffering entirely.