Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, Mountain viewpoint in Heiligenblut, Austria
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe is a mountain viewpoint at 2,369 meters (7,772 feet) situated along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road. It overlooks the Grossglockner peak and surrounding Alpine ridges, with expansive views of the Pasterze Glacier below.
The site was built in 1930 as part of the newly opened Grossglockner High Alpine Road. The road represented a milestone in Austrian mountain infrastructure, making high Alpine regions accessible to travelers for the first time.
The observation point is named after Emperor Franz Joseph I, who championed Alpine tourism in Austrian mountains. The site reflects the importance the imperial court placed on mountain exploration and leisure.
The viewpoint is accessible from late April through October via the toll-charging Grossglockner High Alpine Road connecting Salzburg and Carinthia. Multiple marked trails lead from the main platform to different observation points at varying elevations for different perspectives.
The Pasterze Glacier appears remarkably close from the viewpoint despite being hundreds of meters below. Visitors can observe from multiple platforms how this glacier has been continuously retreating over recent decades.
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