In July 2018, we set off on our summer holiday – this time heading for the Alps and the Dolomites. But before reaching Italy, we had a stop in Austria and one of the most scenic mountain roads in Europe.
Driving through the night
Our summer holiday started on a Monday evening in July 2018. Around eight in the evening, we loaded up our golden Ford Tourneo Custom – storage boxes in their usual spots in the boot, four kids settled in the back seats – and headed south. The plan was simple: drive through the night and wake up in the Alps.
The motorway through Germany went smoothly. The kids fell asleep quite fast, so we could drive in peace, stopping only for coffee and to stretch our legs. By about ten the next morning, we were already in Zell am See.
Zell am See
Zell am See is a small town on the shores of Lake Zeller See in the Salzburg region of Austria, surrounded by mountains on all sides. The lake is clean, turquoise, and has great beaches – you can tell it is a popular spot in both summer and winter.
We checked into Camping Seekamp, which sits just a few hundred metres from the lake. After driving all night, the main priorities were simple: set up the tent, eat, and rest. The kids wanted to get to the water straight away, so after a quick unpack we walked to the lake. The view of the Alps right from the beach – that is something you need to see for yourself.
The campsite itself was well kept, clean, and had all the basics covered. The area was clearly made for outdoor activities – most of the other guests had bikes or hiking boots at their tents.
Grossglockner – A road that leaves you speechless
Photo: Großglockner Hochalpenstraßen AG / Michael Stabentheiner
On Wednesday we continued south, but not by the shortest route. We chose the Grossglockner High Alpine Road – one of the most scenic driving routes in the whole of the Alps.
The road climbs to over 2,500 metres above sea level and offers views that are hard to compare with anything we had seen before. The switchbacks wind higher and higher, passing green meadows, rocky slopes, and finally – permanent snow. Every turn brought a new view, and it was hard not to stop every few hundred metres.
Wilhelm Swarovski observation point
A must-see stop along the road is the Wilhelm Swarovski Observation Point. From there, you get a wide view of the Pasterze Glacier and the peak of Grossglockner itself (3,798 m). Pasterze is the largest glacier in Austria, though it gets smaller every year. Even in July there was snow and ice everywhere, which really impressed the kids – after all, they do not see a real glacier every day.
From the viewpoint, you can also see the surrounding peaks, valleys, and streams running down from the glacier. The air at this height is cool and fresh – a welcome change after the warmth down in the valley. It is worth bringing a jacket, because even in summer the temperature can drop by ten degrees or more compared to the lowlands.
Heading to the Dolomites
After coming down from the Grossglockner, we continued south through East Tyrol and into Italy. Our destination for the day was Camping Cortina in the Dolomites. The drive from the Alpine pass to the Italian valleys is a real change of scenery – from bare, rocky peaks to softer green slopes, and then to the sharp, distinctive towers of the Dolomites.
We reached the campsite in the evening, tired but full of impressions. After setting up the tent and having dinner, we could finally rest. A whole week in the Italian mountains was ahead of us, but that is a story for the next post.
Route of the day: Zell am See → Grossglockner High Alpine Road → Camping Cortina (Dolomites), about 250 km.