Franz-Josefs-Höhe is also the starting point for the hiking climbs up to the Grossglockner and to Pasterze.

In 1963 the funicular was built to make the access to the glacier easier for the visitors and the bottom station ended at the surface of the glacier. Now 50 years later, the glacier has lost 1 kilometer length and 100 meters high, so You need to hike to set your feet on Pasterze.