
Großglockner Gletscherbahn at the Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe (Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria)
N 47° 04.517 E 012° 45.037
33T E 329232 N 5215985
Quick Description: The Großglockner Gletscherbahn (Pasterze Glacier Railway) is one of touristic magnets of the Kaiser Franz Josefs Höhe in the middle of the Hohe Tauern National Park...
Location: Kärnten, Austria
Date Posted: 9/17/2009 11:09:27 AM
Waymark Code: WM786A
Views: 4
Long Description:
The
Großglockner Gletscherbahn was opened by Großglockner Seilbahn GmbH
& Co on 15th September 1963 from the the Kaiser Franz Josefs
Höhe on the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße. The upper funicular
station is at an altitude of 2356 m, and the 212 metre-long line
falls 144 m to the down-station called Pasterze Glacier. When
constructed, the glacier extended to the base station, which was
built to walk out onto the glacier. Thanks to the global warming,
today the glacier ends about 180 m under of the
terminus.
The average gradient is 84% but
where the passing loop is situated, the gradient steepens to 95%.
Two three-section cars are used, each holding a maximum of 32
passengers. These cars have transparent roofs and seats which face
in both directions. The 80 kW motor in the top station powers the
cars at 2 m/s. The lower station has no shelter, and the trip is
best made in fine weather. The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is a
private toll road, and is only open from May to October each year,
the dates of opening and closing depending on snowfall.