Trip ideas · Grossglockner, Dolomites and the Timmelsjoch
Grossglockner, Dolomites and the Timmelsjoch: a One-Week Road Trip From Munich
Best in July and August, also good in June
From Munich and back: seven nights, 755 km, the longest day about 3 h 30 at the wheel. Driving costs €160–€230.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open (closed in winter); longest daily hours in summer: opened 25 April 2026; season described as start of May to start of November; 1 June–31 August open 5:30–21:00. 2027 dates not published yet. Watch for: Sellaronda Bike Day: Dolomite passes around the Sella group closed to cars 8:30–16:00.
Use this route in my plan Your checklist for Germany, Austria, Italy: vignettes, zones, kit and dates.
Day by day
Kilometres and hours are motorway estimates between the cities named, without stops or traffic. Where you sleep in a smaller place nearby, the real place and its distance are given.
Day 1
Munich → Salzburg 149 km · about 1 h 40 driving
Lake town at the north foot of the Grossglockner road; Fusch is about 25 minutes by car. Source The place itself: Zell am See, about 80 km from salzburg (estimate, not from an official page).
Day 2
A day for Zell am See No long drive
Day 3
Salzburg → Bolzano 309 km · about 3 h 30 driving, plus the way back from Zell am See
Dolomites resort with a summer events programme in Piazza Dibona; reached from the Grossglockner via Lienz. Source The place itself: Cortina d'Ampezzo, about 110–130 km from bolzano (estimate, not from an official page).
Photo: Alessio Furlan / Unsplash Day 4
A day for Cortina d'Ampezzo No long drive
Day 5
Move on, staying near Bolzano Driving way to Val Gardena (Ortisei/Selva)
Dolomites valley under the Sella group; summer cable cars to Seceda and Col Raiser. Source The place itself: Val Gardena (Ortisei/Selva), about 35–45 km from bolzano (estimate, not from an official page).
Photo: Bart Ros / Unsplash Day 6
A day for Val Gardena (Ortisei/Selva) No long drive
Day 7
Bolzano → Innsbruck 126 km · about 1 h 40 driving, plus the way back from Val Gardena (Ortisei/Selva)
Upper Ötztal village at the Austrian end of the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road. Source The place itself: Sölden, Ötztal, about 85 km from innsbruck (estimate, not from an official page).
Photo: Paolo Bendandi / Unsplash Day 8
Innsbruck → Munich 171 km · about 2 h driving, plus the way back from Sölden, Ötztal
Why go in July and August
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open (closed in winter); longest daily hours in summer: opened 25 April 2026; season described as start of May to start of November; 1 June–31 August open 5:30–21:00. 2027 dates not published yet. Source
- Val Gardena summer cable cars run (Seceda, Col Raiser, Sassolungo): Seceda 22.05–02.11.2026; Col Raiser 22.05–01.11.2026; Sassolungo 30.05–11.10.2026. 2027 dates not published yet. Source
- Cortina Summer programme of evening events in Piazza Dibona: 2 July – 3 September 2026; 2027 dates not published yet. Source
What to watch for
- Sellaronda Bike Day: Dolomite passes around the Sella group closed to cars 8:30–16:00 (6 June and 12 September 2026; 2027 dates not published yet). Source
- Dolomites Bike Day and Maratona dles Dolomites: passes on the route closed to cars on event days (Dolomites Bike Day 20 June 2026; Maratona 5 July 2026; 2027 dates not published yet). Source
- Grossglockner: night-time driving ban outside opening hours (last entry 20:15 in summer) (season-long). Source
- Timmelsjoch: open 7:00–20:00 only; trailers over 4.5 m not permitted; 2026 season 13 May–20 Oct (weather-dependent), 2027 dates not published (13 May – 20 Oct 2026 (Ötztal Tourism); 2027 not published). Source
What the week costs to drive
| Item | Cost | Worked out from |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel for 755 km | €82–€142 | Each country's average petrol and diesel price (week of 28 September 2026), 5 to 8 litres per 100 km. Fuel prices |
| Vignettes | €13 | Austria: 10 days |
| Tolls | €67 | Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Fusch–Heiligenblut), car day ticket €46.50 Source; Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road (Moos in Passeier–Obergurgl/Sölden), car one-way 2026 €20.00 Source |
| Driving the week | €160–€230 | Rounded to €10 |
Not included: hotels, food and parking. For your own car and exact days, use the trip cost calculator.
The rules on this route
Driving in Germany · Driving in Austria · Driving in Italy
Use this route in my plan to get every vignette, zone, kit rule and deadline for these countries in one checklist, with dates. The speed limits and sign words pages can then show only these countries.
Next on the road
Sources
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road is open (closed in winter); longest daily hours in summer
- Val Gardena summer cable cars run (Seceda, Col Raiser, Sassolungo)
- Cortina Summer programme of evening events in Piazza Dibona
- Sellaronda Bike Day: Dolomite passes around the Sella group closed to cars 8:30–16:00
- Dolomites Bike Day and Maratona dles Dolomites: passes on the route closed to cars on event days
- Timmelsjoch: open 7:00–20:00 only; trailers over 4.5 m not permitted; 2026 season 13 May–20 Oct (weather-dependent), 2027 dates not published
- Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road (Moos in Passeier–Obergurgl/Sölden), car one-way 2026
- Lake town at the north foot of the Grossglockner road; Fusch is about 25 minutes by car.
- Upper Ötztal village at the Austrian end of the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road.
Dates and prices as published when checked. Events move: check the organiser's page before you book.