This famous Austrian tourist route is composed of two branches, the first leading to the summit of the Edelweißspitz, the second to the Franz-Josephs-Höhe terrace, from where there is a view of the highest peak in the Austrian Alps, the Grossglockner (3 797m), and the Pasterze glacier at its foot. The surrounding mountainous region is part of the Hohe Tauern national park, protecting flora and fauna over an area of 1 800km2.