With its seven stages, breath-taking views and huts, this is one of the most beautiful high-altitude trails in East Tirol. Highlights include a stop-off at the Essener-Rostocker Hut, located at 7,217 feet (2,200 metres). This social meeting point has many hikers congregating and sharing their personal experiences of climbing the mountain. Don't miss the perfect oasis of calm in a world of no cable cars, ski slopes or mobile phone reception around the Grossvenediger, as it rises to a height of 12,027 feet (3,666 metres). Circumnavigate this mountain and come across the Eissee lake - a turquoise sparkling gem between the steep walls. You can enjoy the view of the Grossvenediger without having to venture out on long climbs if you choose to just take a section of the trail. One of the most beautiful sights of the fifth highest mountain in Austria with all its glaciers can be seen from the Johannis Hut, which is easy to reach at only 6,958 feet (2,121 metres). It will take 2 hours of walking time from the car park at Wiesenkreuz in Dorfertal and is easily accessible for the elderly and children. You can reach it directly by using the taxi service available at mountain huts.

You can have your luggage transported along the way on the Glocknertreck. Set off with a mountain guide and a maximum of 12 people with pack horses from the Lucknerhaus, at the end of the Kalser Glocknerstraße, for a two-day hike. The horses won't accompany you after the Salmhütte 8,654 ft (at 2,638 metres), one of the region's oldest shelters.

From there, you'll set off alone for a night camp on Austria's highest shelter, the "Adlersruhe", which sits at 11,322 (3,451 m) above sea level. You'll start the second day with a hearty breakfast so that you're all set up to take on the firn ice ridge. With the professional support of a mountain guide, you'll climb to the Kleinglockner's summit edge. A narrow firn bridge, which separates you from the summit, is a challenge for even the most courageous mountaineers, but you'll be rewarded with incredibly breath-taking and memorable views once reaching the top.