Video: Mike Cotty heads to Austria to take on the Großglockner from Heiligenblut

Austria’s white giant is every bit as imposing as it is intriguing. The Großglockner is the subject of the final Col Collective film of 2015 with Mike Cotty tackling it from Heiligenblut.

While the mountain itself is 3,798m high, the pass reaches 2,369m, entailing a 16.4km climb from Heiligenblut.

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As well as being a regular feature of the Tour of Austria, Grossglockner has appeared twice in the Giro d'Italia: on stage 17 in 1971 and stage 13 in 2011 – although the race didn’t actually go to the summit on the second occasion.

Here’s what Cotty has to say about it:

“At 3,798 metres high Austria’s white giant is every bit as imposing as it is intriguing, enveloped by an aura of natural beauty that’s beyond imagination. Originally built to showcase the true delights of the Hohe Tauern National Park, and to bolster the country’s flailing economy after the First World War, the Großglockner High Alpine Road excelled all expectations bringing over 50 million tourists to the area since it opened in 1935.

“Starting in Heiligenblut you initially trace your way through lush Glockner meadows as the gradient pitches up and holds its form at over double figures for the first 6km. A moment of respite gifts you an extra heartbeat to savour your surrounds before the final push, past the powerful Fensterbach waterfalls, towards the eternal ice plain of the Pasterze Glacier and the foot of the legendary Großglockner itself. Without question absolutely one of the most spectacular roads you’ll ever ride. And breathe…”

Vital statistics

Start: Heiligenblut

Length: 16.4km

Summit: 2,369m

Elevation gain: 1,069m

Average gradient: 8.1%

Max gradient: 12%