id travel dachstein

Your journey to the Dachstein glacier!

Arrival/approximate times:

Cable car passengers can use the Dachstein toll road free of charge.

If you are not using the cable car, please find the toll prices here >>

DON'T FORGET: YOUR TOLL TICKET MUST BE VALIDATED!

Please validate it in the machine at the Dachstein mountain station to use the road free of charge!

The Dachstein glacier

Tip: Shuttle bus from Schladming

We recommend a relaxed  ride up  to the Dachstein valley station on the  RVB glacier shuttle bus , departure from Schladming "Planet Planai" . 

You're welcome to park your car free of charge in the car park in the meantime.

When travelling up with the regular bus, only the bus ticket has to be paid or the Sommercard has to be scanned. With a valid reservation for the Dachstein cable car, the toll fee is waived.

Your Dachstein day!

For a  relaxed glacier visit  with all the highlights we recommend that  you schedule around two hours .

Up the Dachsteinstrasse

In partnership with the  Ramsauer Verkehrsbetriebe bus company  and the landowners of the Dachsteinstraße every effort is made to preserve  the natural beauty of the Dachstein .

Therefore, we recommend in any case to arrive with the Dachstein Glacier bus of the Ramsauer transport company.

Planned in a flash: Your journey to us via Google Maps!

Arrival by car - Planai & Hochwurzen

Arriving from the west

From the west you can take the Munich-Salzburg motorway, continuing on the Tauern motorway (A 10) until the Ennstal junction. From here take the Ennstal A-road (the B 320) for around 30 km into the Schladming-Dachstein region, then take the Ramsau am Dachstein turn-off.  

Arriving from the east

From the east arrival is via Vienna (A 23) and the Südautobahn motorway (A 2) via Semmering (S 6) to the St. Michael junction. From here you continue via the Pyhrnautobahn motorway (A 9) to the Liezen junction and the Ennstal A-road (B 320) into the Schladming-Dachstein region, then take the Ramsau am Dachstein turn-off.  

Arriving from the south-east

From the south-east take the Pyhrnautobahn motorway (A 9) to the Liezen junction and then the Ennstal A-road (B 320) into the Schladming-Dachstein region. Then take the Ramsau am Dachstein turn-off.

Arriving from the south

From the south take the Tauernautobahn motorway (A10) to the Ennstal junction. From here take the Ennstal A-road (B 320) for around 30 km into the Schladming-Dachstein region, then take the Ramsau am Dachstein turn-off.

E charging station

At the car parking from the dachstein cable car are 2 e charging stations..

Charging is possible with all current charging cards.

Alternatively, there is a QR code on each charging station. The code can be used to activate the station via Paypal or credit card.

Tariff with card 22,90 Euro*; with QR Code 26,90 Euro* (for 12 hours)  Customers with charging cards from other providers are charged according to their charging card contract.

Power 11 kW - plug type 2

*Subject to tariff changes by Energie Steiermark

Arrival by plane - Planai & Hochwurzen

Graz Airport

Graz Airport is only 160 km away, which makes getting to the Planai & Hochwurzen very easy!

Arrival by train - Planai & Hochwurzen

The best way of reaching the Dachstein glacier by train is via Schladming station. This station is on the Salzburg-Graz international line. 

You can also find current connections to Schladming at  www.oebb.at

Arrival by train

Your Europe-wide train & bus connection to Dachstein Glacier

Here you'll find all train and bus connections from all over Europe to the Dachstein including the cheapest ticket.

Timetable information with BusBahnBim

Your long-distance journey with the FlixBus

Dachstein Krippenstein: Five Fingers, Two Buses, a Train and the Cable Cars

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Let me tell you about my experience visiting Dachstein Krippenstein. The Dachstein mountain range in the Austrian Alps is breathtaking, with Dachstein Krippenstein in the Salzkammergut Lake District as the crown jewel. It’s located near the town of Hallstatt, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best things to do in Hallstatt , even if it’s not precisely in Hallstatt.

NOTICE: Dachstein Krippenstein is located on the northern side of the Dachstein mountain area in Salzkammergut and can be reached in 10-15 minutes from Hallstatt. If you enter Dachstein from the southern side (Ramsau am Dachstein area), the view you’ll encounter is that of the Stairway to Nothingness instead of the 5 fingers.

Everything starts with cable cars. The cable cars that take you to the top of Dachstein Krippenstein are an experience in themselves as you soar over the valleys and hills below. Once you’re at the top, the fun begins. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a scenic outing, Dachstein Krippenstein has something to offer you.

The most famous viewpoint on the mountain is the 5 fingers, and it’s not hard to see why. The highlight of my visit was exploring the Ice Cave and Mammut Cave. The Ice Cave is exactly what it sounds like, a cave filled with ice formations that glitter and shine in the light. The Mammut Cave is equally impressive, with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It’s truly a unique and fascinating experience.

But when I visited Dachstein Krippenstein twice in 2020, I found myself quite confused about the different tickets available and what I would find at each of the three cable car stations. It was a bit overwhelming, to say the least. So, let me break it down for you.

How to get to Dachstein Krippenstein?

How you get to the Dachstein Krippenstein visitors center, the valley station of the cable car almost corresponds with how yo u get to Hallstatt. You either get to Hallstatt from Salzburg via Bad Ischl by train and boat or by bus 542/543. If you arrive by bus 543, you can just stay on the bus to continue to the cable car, and if you arrive by train, stay on the train for one more stop after the Hallstatt train station and change to bus 543 in Obertraun. Either way, you reach the Dachstein Krippenstein Valley station by bus 543.

I know this can be confusing, so let me explain in more detail!

By Bus 542/543 : From Salzburg, you catch Bus 150, which connects with Bus 542 at Bad Ischl Station. From there, you’ll travel south to the Hallstatt Gosaumühle Bus Stop, where you can transfer to local Postbus 543 for the last kilometers into Hallstatt. If you don’t want to get off in Hallstatt, continue by bus 543 to Dachstein Visitor Center.

By Train : In Bad Ischl, you have two transportation options to get to Hallstatt: take the buses mentioned in the previous section or a combination of train and boat, since the Hallstatt train station is located opposite side of the lake. If you’re heading to Dachstein Krippenstein from Bad Ischl by train, it’s better to get off at Obertraun, one stop after the Hallstatt train station. From Obertraun, you can also take Postbus 543 to get straight to the visitors center.

If you are driving to the Dachstein Krippenstein Valley Station, there is a parking lot at the Visitor Center.

RECOMMENDATION: If you want to make the most of your visit to Dachstein Krippenstein, I recommend staying in Obertraun overnight. Obertraun is located across the lake from Hallstatt. It’s not as pretty as Hallstatt, but it’s also not as expensive as Halsltatt and even closer to Dachstein Krippenstein. The first time I visited Dachstein Krippenstein, I walked from Obertraun for 40 minutes to the Cable Car valley station.

What Ticket should you buy for Dachstein Krippenstein?

Visiting Dachstein Krippenstein was a little confusing, mainly because I didn’t know about buying the correct ticket. In this section, I will share my insights to help you make the most of your visit. With several ticket options available, I will break it down for you so you can make an informed decision.

Ticket 1: Let’s start with the Panorama Ticket . If you’re short on time and only plan to visit the 5-Fingers, this might be the right choice for you. However, this ticket does not include access to any of the caves, and we highly recommend visiting at least one of them. The views from the 5-Fingers are stunning, but the caves are also an incredible experience you won’t want to miss.

Ticket 2: The Dachstein Salzkammergut Ticket is my recommendation for most travelers. This ticket includes the first two cable cars and either the Mammut or the Ice Cave. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the mountain and visit at least one of the caves, which we highly recommend. The 5-Fingers is also a must-see attraction, as the view from there is unique and breathtaking. With this ticket, you’ll have plenty to see and do during your visit.

Ticket 3: I recommend the All-Inclusive Ticket , if you want to make the most of your visit and have the entire day to explore. This ticket includes access to both caves and all three cable cars. You’ll have the chance to experience everything Dachstein Krippenstein offers, but it requires more time and energy. We highly recommend this ticket if you have a full day to explore and are up for the challenge.

In summary, the Dachstein Salzkammergut Ticket is an excellent option for most travelers, as it includes the 5-Fingers, one of the caves, and the first and second cable car. It provides a great balance of attractions without being too overwhelming. But if you have more time and energy, the All-Inclusive Ticket is an excellent option to experience everything Dachstein Krippenstein has to offer.

Things to do on Dachstein Krippenstein

Now that you know how to get to Dachstein Krippenstein and which ticket to buy, let’s get into the weeds of what to do on Dachstein Krippenstein. Let’s break it down by cable car.

During the winter season, only skiing and panorama tickets are available at Dachstein Krippenstein. However, some parts may be closed due to weather conditions, so it’s best to check the website for current information and available activities . Typically, caves are closed in the winter, and snowshoes may be necessary for winter hikes. If you’re interested in exploring on foot, Dachstein Krippenstein now offers a yeti ticket that includes snowshoe rental. The summer season extends from mid-May to November.

1. Cable Car Station: Two Caves

If you’ve got ticket 2 or 3, take the cable car up to the first station and reserve a time slot for the Giant Ice Cave and/or the Mammut Cave. While there’s a restaurant and museum at the first station, there’s little else to do there. However, the second cable car offers stunning views and is definitely worth it.

Keep in mind that you can only reserve tickets for the caves, and then you’ll need to hike to each one, which takes about 20 minutes each way as the caves are located in different areas. But don’t worry; the caves are well worth the hike!

TIP : To make the most of your time, it’s recommended that you quickly stop to reserve your spots for the caves and then continue on the second cable car to the five fingers first. This is because the light is better earlier in the day, which is perfect for photography.

• Ice Cave : With stunning ice formations and frozen waterfalls, the Dachstein Ice Cave is a true wonder of nature. Unlike the more popular ice cave in Werfen , photography is permitted so that you can capture the breathtaking beauty of the frozen landscape. The cave was discovered in 1910. The ice formations in the cave are created by seeping water that freezes in the cold air. Though some melting occurs in the summer, the cycle of slight melting and growth ensures that the ice remains intact. The 50-minute guided tour takes you through passageways. The cave is closed in winter, but from May to October, it’s open for tours. While the Ice Cave and Mammut Cave are fantastic destinations, I typically recommend the Ice Cave to most travelers because the stunning ice formations are particularly captivating. However, personally, I hold both caves in equally high regard.
• Mammut Cave : Dive deep into an otherworldly adventure at the Mammut Cave! This legendary underground labyrinth stretches over 60 kilometers and drops 1 km below ground, boasting a unique blend of winding tunnels and rugged formations. The Tour takes about an hour, just like the tours of the Ice Cave. Regular tours also run from May to October. As one of the largest karst caves on earth, Mammut Cave will leave you in awe with its incredible formations and countless passageways!

2. Cable Car Station: Five Fingers

Don’t miss the second cable car- that’s where the action is! While the first cable car offers no view but only two caves, the second one is a must-see. And if you’re visiting during the winter, wear proper footwear for a safe and comfortable journey.

• Five Fingers : Experience the adrenaline rush at the 5 Fingers Lookout, one of the most impressive viewing platforms in the Alps. Its breathtaking design extends over a 400-meter drop, so it’s sure to be a highlight of your trip to Dachstein Krippenstein. The 4-meter-long platforms each offer a unique design and perspective of Hallstatt, including a glass section and a Baroque picture frame for the perfect photo-op. The round trip hike from the second cable car station and viewing time takes about an hour to an hour and a half. For an extra adventure, go to the Welterbespirale Lookout.
• World Heritage Spiral : For a panoramic view of the area, a detour to the Welterbespirale Lookout on your way to the 5 Fingers is well worth it. This unique lookout point features a curving, shiny metal surface and an oversized wooden lawn chair – the perfect spot for a rest after the short hike. The lookout is open year-round, but remember that winter may require snowshoes and extra caution around the snow-covered paths. Plus, it’s free with your cable car pass to the second level. Don’t miss the nearby small church and enjoy the 360-degree view at both of these amazing spots!
• Dachstein Shark : Take a hike on the Heilbronn Circular Trail and visit the Dachstein Shark sculpture if you have extra time and long for a hike. The Dachstein Shark is not a must, but I like it. The sculpture is a playful reminder that the area was once the floor of the Tethys primordial ocean. Even cooler is that you can climb inside the sculpture and see the seabed from behind the shark’s jaws. It’s a lot of fun, especially for kids! Plan for 30 minutes from the second cable car station, plus another 60 minutes to the Heilbronn Cross, if you would like to follow the trail even past the shark.
• Krippenstein Lodge : The Krippenstein Lodge is located just a five-minute walk from the second cable car station and is considered one of the best places for food on Dachstein Krippenstein. It’s also a great place to stay, especially if you want a truly special experience. While most visitors come to Dachstein Krippenstein on a day trip, staying at the lodge is well worth considering. If you can afford it and book well in advance, the panoramic suite with 180-degree view windows overlooking the mountains and a private sauna is hard to beat. And don’t miss the unforgettable sunset view from the Welterbespirale tower.

3. Cable Car Station: Vintage & Hiking

There are two reasons to ride the third cable car when visiting Dachstein Krippenstein. First up, the cable car is a vintage beauty and a must-see for anyone who appreciates the charm of an old-school ride.

But the real reason to ride the third cable car is the stunning scenery you’ll witness along the way. The ride is flat and even slightly downhill, with the third station located lower than the second. And if you’re a hiking enthusiast like me, you’ll be happy to know that the third cable car station is the starting point for some of the best hikes in the region.

• Gjaidalm: When you arrive at the third station of the Dachstein cable car, you’ll be pleased to find a range of amenities to enjoy, including lodges, restaurants, and hiking routes. One of the best places to stay in the area is the Gjaidalm Lodge, located just a 5-minute walk from the third cable car station. It offers an authentic Alpine experience with cows, goats, sheep, and horses roaming around the lodge in the summer months. The hospitality at Gjaidalm Lodge is second to none, and from there you’ll have access to some of the best hiking in the region.
• Wiesberghaus Lodge: Another great option for hikers is the Wiesberghaus Lodge. While Gjaidalm Lodge is a great place to stay on the third level of Dachstein, Wiesberghaus is an excellent alternative. It’s also an ideal place to stop for some food on your way up to the Dachstein Glacier or Simonyhutte Lodge. The hike to Wiesberghaus Lodge takes about 2 hours from the third-level cable car station.
• Simonyhütte: If you’re up for a longer hike, Simonyhutte Lodge is worth the effort. It’s the most remote of the Alpine huts, offering unparalleled views of the Dachstein glacier. It’s a rustic 42-bed lodge that provides food and wifi, but it’s wise to book well in advance, as this spot is popular. The hike to Simonyhutte Lodge is more challenging, taking about 4 hours from the third-level cable car station or 90 minutes from Wiesberghaus Lodge.

Where to eat & sleep on Dachstein Krippenstein?

Upon arrival at the first cable car station, you will find yourself at the Schönbergalm Lodge, which offers a restaurant for a quick bite to eat. Although the food may not be extraordinary, it provides a decent option for a meal before or after exploring the caves.

Similarly, the second cable car station also has a restaurant with nothing exceptional to offer. However, suppose you walk straight ahead for about 3-5 minutes from the second cable car station. In that case, you will come across the Dachstein Lodge. This lodge stands out from the rest as it serves excellent food, making it a must-visit.

If you take the third cable car, it will take you roughly five minutes to walk from the third cable car station to the Gjaidalm, an alpine hut that provides food and shelter. Additionally, if you hike further, you will find the Wiesberghaus and the Simonyhütte, which also offer food and shelter.

While most travelers visit Dachstein Krippenstein as a day trip and an activity while visiting Hallstatt, staying on top of the mountain is an excellent idea if you have the time, money, and desire to experience Dachstein Krippenstein more intimately. My personal favorite place to stay on Dachstein Krippenstein is the Dachstein Lodge, as it provides an unmatched experience. However, if you prefer hiking and a more traditional, authentic Austrian Alpine experience, any of the three lodges you can hike from the third cable car station are excellent choices.

My name is Gerhard, Founder of Free Walking Tour Salzburg. I am an intrepid traveler myself and understand the passion for adventure that independent travelers feel. I love to interact with travelers, share stories, answer questions, recommend places to eat, and offer ideas of things to see and do.

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• Things to Do
• Walking and Hiking
• Hiking Regions in Austria

Hiking on Dachstein Mountain

An ancient glacier shrouds the Dachstein in blue permafrost. On Dachstein-Krippenstein, one of Austria's most impressive massifs, five places give a taste of high Alpine adventure.

The Dachstein Massif in Numbers

• Elevation “High Dachstein” 2,995 m (9,826 ft)
• Elevation “Lower Dachstein” 2,934 m (9,626 ft)
• Elevation “Krippenstein” 2,108 m (6,916 ft)
• Glaciers on the massif 5
• Suspension bridge 100 m (328 ft) long
• Drop under suspension bridge 400 m (1,312 ft)

Dachstein-Krippenstein, one of Austria's most dramatic mountain massifs, is covered in a cap of light blue permafrost. A dramatic glacier glistens high above Hallstättersee lake and draws visitors up into Alpine terrain. Lucky for you, it doesn't take crampons to experience the Dachstein's immaculate beauty - above and below ground!

Why Visit the Dachstein?

• Stunning ice caves
• Giant karst caves
• Incredible views
• Austria’s highest suspension bridge
• One of Austria’s best sky walks

Dachstein Ice Palace - a mystical world of ice and snow deep inside the Dachstein glacier

• Guided tours of the Mammut Cave and the Giant Ice Cave
• Thrills with a view : Austria’s highest suspension bridge and the so-called “Stairway to Nowhere” offer breathtaking views across the mountains
• Panorama Gondola Ride : Feels like nothing’s there – built entirely of glass, this gondola even has its own balcony (!) for a real open-air feeling
• Only for experienced climbers: the panoramic stairway to heaven , a 40-metre (131 ft) ladder on the Donnerkogel via ferrata

5 Thrilling Ways to Explore Dachstein Mountain

1) enjoy a gondola ride up krippenstein mountain.

If you want stunning views of the Dachstein, your best address is neighbouring Krippenstein mountain, a 2,108-metre (6,916 ft) elevation with lots of picture-perfect lookouts over the Dachstein massif.

Take the cable cars up from lakeside village Obertraun and marvel as Hallstättersee lake becomes smaller and smaller beneath you. Once you arrive at the top of the second leg, the mystical world of Austria's Alps stretches out towards all sides.

2) Walk Out on the Five Fingers Viewing Platform

Once you're up on the mountain, head straight to one of the Krippenstein's highlights: the lofty Five Fingers viewing platform.

It reaches out over the lake and the surrounding Salzkammergut region like a metal hand. Walk down along all five "fingers" for slightly different vantage points. One platform even features an ornate picture frame through which you can admire the museum-worthy setting.

Ice Palace Austrian National Tourist Office / Reinhold Leitner media_content.tooltip.skipped

3) Dig Deep Into the Mountain Inside Dachstein Giant Ice Cave

For a different type of spectacular view, look inward. Deep beneath the Dachstein's rockface slumbers a world of fables, brilliant colours, and ice.

The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave invites you inside the mountain for a tour of its towering stalactites, shimmering ice shapes, and an immersive light and music experience.

Nearby you also find the Mammoth Cave, one of the largest karst caves in the world. Wander the miles and miles of shadowy tunnels on a 50-minute guided tour.

4) Fight Vertigo at the World Heritage Spiral

Another unconventional viewing platform waits for you near the second cable car's mountain station.

A metal spiral with a generous walkway twists in the air at 2,100 metres (6,890 ft) - perfect for visitors who want to gain an extra bit of elevation.

Snake up to the top of the World Heritage Spiral for a photo, then relax on one of the undulating wooden loungers next to the futuristic construction.

5) Get Pre-Historic Inside a Panoramic Shark

That's right, in pre-historic times, the Dachstein massif was covered by primordial ocean. Sharks and other ancient fish used to roam the Dachstein's waters and eventually fossilized.

You can still find evidence of this today: the "Dachstein shark" is a quirky sculpture perched along Heilbronn Circular Trail. The 8-metre (26 ft) long shark sculpture is large enough to climb inside and tilts precariously over the walking trail.

Make your way up to the head: the shark's jaws are open to provide views with a little bit of bite.

Useful Links

• Hiking tips
• Getting there

Getting There

The closest airports are:

• Salzburg (100 km, 62 mi)
• Linz (175 km, 109 mi)
• Graz (180 km, 112 mi)
• Munich, Germany (218 km, 135 mi)

Dachstein Gletscherbahn Ramsau

Schildlehen 79

8972 Ramsau am Dachstein

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In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint. You will be subject to additional screening, to include a patdown and screening of carry-on property.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if your identity cannot be confirmed, you choose to not provide proper identification or you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process.

TSA recommends that you arrive at least two hours in advance of your flight time.

Names With Suffixes

TSA accepts variations on suffixes on boarding passes and ID. Suffixes are not required on boarding passes. If there is a suffix on the boarding pass, and there is not one on the ID or vice versa, that is considered an acceptable variation.

If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.

Hiking Dachstein Guide: Five Fingers Lookout and More

• May 8, 2023
• Destinations , Europe

Hiking Dachstein Guide: Five Fingers Lookout and More!

Interested in hiking Dachstein but not sure how to do it? This article is going to help you out! 

We suppose you have seen the beautiful photos, or heard about the magic of Dachstein, and hence you want to hike your way in the Dachstein mountains. 

Not only is it a great place for exploring the mountains, it will leave you with lasting memories that you will relive over and over again.

What's covered in this post

What is the Dachstein mountain range?

How to get to dachstein mountains, cable car station at dachstein krippenstein, koppenbruller cave, dachstein giant ice cave and mammut cave, welterbespirale on dachstein mountains, fiver fingers lookout, high mountain hiking in dachstein, final thoughts about hiking dachstein, logistics before visiting dachstein.

For those who want to have some information about the Dachstein mountain range before climbing it, it is essentially a mountain range located within the Northern Limestone Alps, between Upper Austria and Styria. 

Not to forget, it is part of the Salzkammergut region which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It is filled with activities for family outings to adventure seekers, and boast some of the most stunning views over the valley below where Hallstatt is located. 

Read more about Hallstatt here !

At its highest point is where you can find Hoher Dachstein (Dachstein Mountain), which soars 2995 metres above sea level. 

Within this mountain range, you can find ice caves, Dachstein glaciers and lots of cute mountain huts. There are also numerous skiing routes for when winter sets in.

The nearest major city to Dachstein mountains is in Salzburg, from which you can easily make a day trip. 

However, if you wish to spend more time on the mountains and also get to visit Hallstatt, a fairy tale like village just a short distance from the mountains, you should consider staying a night in Hallstatt. 

Get detailed instructions from our Hallstatt post about getting to Hallstatt from Salzburg . 

Or are you in Vienna? Read about how to do a day trip from Vienna to Salzburg here!

From Hallstatt, the bus service 543 will take you to Dachstein Krippenstein, where you can get tickets for the cable car up to the mountains. 

Here is a short summary of the how to get to Hallstatt from Salzburg:

• Take bus service 150 from the Salzburg bus bay in front of the Main Train Station’
• Transfer to bus service 542 at Bad Ischl
• One more transfer at Gosaumuhle to bus service 543
• Dachstein Krippenstein is the stop AFTER Hallstatt

In all, the journey will take you about 2 hours 45 minutes from Salzburg, or just 15 minutes from Hallstatt. 

Upon reaching the stop at Dachstein Krippenstein, you will find the ticketing office of the cable car that will bring you up to the mountain range, where exciting trails and spectacular views awaits you. 

This is your starting point to get up to the Dachstein mountains to hike!

Over here, you can find a small shop to get any last minute supplies, including water and snacks before you make the ascent to the top.

You will find a few options available to you: 

• Panorama ticket, $32 per adult
• Eis/Mammut Hohle (Ice/Mammut Cave) ticket, $36.30 per adult
• Hohlen Kombiticket, $42.60 per adult
• Dachstein Salzkammergut ticket, $45.70 per adult
• All inclusive ticket, $48.20 per adult

As you will see in the photo below, each type of ticket grants you access to the different attractions found here. 

The most basic type, Panorama ticket, is the one you should choose if you are only interested in the hiking trails.

It includes usage of the cable car to ascent and descent the mountain, up to the highest section, which is section 3. 

Take note though, you can only use it one time, meaning you cannot go from one section to another section multiple times, so make sure to plan accordingly to avoid any extra costs. 

The second type of ticket here gives you access to either the Ice or Mammut Caves, and a guided tour. 

The third type of ticket here gives you access to both the caves, plus the guided tour. 

Point to note here is that option 2 and 3 only brings you up to section 1, where the caves are located. 

You will need another ticket option if you wish to explore the higher parts of the mountain. 

The fourth option enables you to go one section higher to section 2, but you have to choose either the Ice or Mammut caves. 

And finally, the last option covers everything, and unlimited rides up or down the mountain.

Honestly, it seems the best one to choose is either the Panorama ticket or the All Inclusive, since the others are kind of restrictive. 

If you are going for the All Inclusive ticket, make sure to cater a full day or you will not be able to make full use of it. 

What to do in Dachstein mountains? Hiking Dachstein activities

You can opt for spending the whole day outdoors exploring the different trails, or visit a natural phenomenon, the ice caves. 

In fact, before you even start your ascent, there is a hiking trail off the side of the ticketing office that will bring you to the Koppenbruller Cave ($13.60 per adult for guided tour), the youngest of the 3 caves in Dachstein. 

Taking a scenic and easy route beside the Koppenbruller river, the walk takes you around 1 to 1.5 hours to reach the Koppenrast restaurant at the end of Obertraun, which is the start point of the guided tour.

Inside, you will get to see some impressive underground waterways of the Dachstein mountains. 

Tip: Bring along some warm clothes when visiting this cave of the other two caves mentioned below.  Temperatures in the Giant Ice Caves dips to -2 degrees Celsius, while the other two hovers at 3-6 degrees Celsius! 

Both the Giant Ice Cave and Mammut Cave are top attractions in Dachstein, and for good reason.

You get to transport yourself into a wild world, a subterranean wonderland to witness mega sized ice caves. 

Crazy looking ice shapes are formed here by water leaking in under the Dachstein plateau, such as ice curtains, icicles and ice sculptures. 

It is a natural wonder unlike others, and you got to see it to believe it. 

A ship on top of a mountain? Yes that’s right! 

One of many unique lookouts on the Dachstein mountains is the Welterbespirale, otherwise known as the World Heritage Spiral, and for good reason. 

Located just 15 minutes from the mountain station, this lookout offers some of the best views across the Salzkammergut region, and provides the best opportunity to do some mountain spotting. 

On a clear day, your eyes will feast on a stunning panorama of alpine mountains. at a height of 2100 metres! 

As you walk towards this lookout, you will get to relax in sun chairs scattered right below it and if you are lucky, walk among the sheep grazing right on the alpine pastures! 

One important advice: Watch out for their poop! 

By far our favourite spot on the mountains is the aptly named 5 Fingers Lookout point. 

No prizes for guessing, but yes, they are shaped like five fingers and extend beyond the mountain side over a cliff that drops 400 metres to the valley below. 

The five platforms each has a particular feature: 

• A Baroque picture frame
• Clear glass floor
• Short platform with extended ‘diving board’
• Platform with a hole in the floor
• Platform with telescope

Starting from the evening, large spotlights are illuminated below the deck and you can see the Five Fingers lookout from a long way out, even as far as Hallstatt and Obertraun. 

It is really something special and offers some of the best views of the entire region, and you can clearly see the village of Hallstatt right down in the valley. 

Be warned though, stepping onto the fingers requires some nerves, and is not suitable for those with a fear of heights. Especially so if you decide to take a photo BEHIND the baroque photo frame. 

In this area, you will also be able to spot the Yellow Billed Chough, an alpine bird that swoops around in the sky performing acrobatic moves. Really cool.

If you are looking for something more challenging, make sure to try out the different trails that leads you up to the highest points of Dachstein.

There are several options available, and most have side tracks that can bring you to Gjaid Alm, a cute little cottage style hotel. 

Hike from station 2 to station 3 (highest station): 

• Heilbronner Circular Trail (approximately 3 hours) 
• Dachstein Nature Trail (8 kilometres, approximately 6 hours)

Hike starting from station 3: 

• Dachsteinblick (3 kilometres, approximately 1.5 hours)
• Taubenkogel (7 kilometres, approximately 5 hours)

To get full information about the hiking available as well as guided hiking tour options, make sure to check out the Dachstein Salzkammergut Official site . 

A word of advice here, Dachstein weather or in general weather in the Alps is extremely unpredictable. 

• Take all necessary precautions 
• Bring along water and snacks 
• Be dressed in suitable attire, and come in sturdy shoes that has been broken in

When we visited, the weather was gorgeous, but a couple of hours later, the clouds changed directions and suddenly the air turned misty. 

Next thing we knew was the rain coming down on the mountain. 

We were already in the queue for the cable car ride to descend the mountains, and it operated as per usual.

However, a minute or two into the ride, the cable car stopped, dangling in mid air. 

After what seemed like hours (it was more like 5 minutes), the passengers soon got a bit panicky, as we were dangling in mid air in the middle of a storm. 

Apparently, the cable cars stop moving when it detects high winds or thunder. 

Shouldn’t they suspend the ride totally then? Oh well, we survived to tell the story. 

Despite that little hitch, we loved hiking in Dachstein mountains. 

The views were sensational and we must have taken hundreds of photos up there. 

The unique nature of the mountains gave us a special memory to bring home, and this is a place we would love to come back again. 

Have you gone hiking in Dachstein before? What did you like most? 

Make sure to check out our other articles for more travel inspiration!

• 19 Unique Places for your Travel Bucket List
• 50 Family Trip Quotes
• Travel packing checklist
• List of 21 Free Things you can do in any city
• Travel Itineraries

If you liked this article, remember to pin this article on Pinterest and share with your friends on social media too! 

Find cheap flights. Air tickets are usually the bulk of your expenses. Set up an alert and snag cheap fares with Skyscanner .

Find the best accommodation. Book a place ahead of time to get good rates. Booking.com has transparent fees and excellent rates. 

Handy travel guide. For the old school kid in you, get a travel guide book and get lost exploring the city.

Photos. Your mobile phone can do a pretty good job, but if you need an upgrade, we recommend the Sony A6000 (US) (International)

Travel insurance. You don’t need us to teach you to be a responsible adult, do you? Get a quote here.

Planned for you activities in Dachstein. Need a guide to show you and your group around? Lots of operators here to choose from here. You know who they are and how they are reviewed. 

More resources to help you. All other useful travel resources we use when we book our trips.

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Beautiful hikes in Austria: visit the Dachstein glacier

After a lovely  hike around the Styrian Bodensee and a short transit we suddenly found ourselves on top of a gondola towards the Dachstein glacier! Yes, you read correctly, on TOP of the gondola. Rising over 1000 vertical meters, these gondola’s have a small space on the roof available for the lucky (and daring) few. The ride up the Dachstein glacier is a stunning panoramic experience in its own right – and being on top of the gondola just adds more to the fun! Check out the second part of the video (starting at 1min35) below and you understand exactly what I mean.

After a short trip we arrived at an altitude of 2,700meters: the Dachstein glacier. Snow is at the top of the glacier all year round. Imagine the surprise and fun we had ploughing through the snow after our stay in the warm valley and Mediterranean-influenced city of Graz . We visited the glacier end of May and yes, people were still skiing.

Dachstein glacier

The Dachstein is one of the most beautifully scenic mountains in the Alps, so they say. I don’t have that much comparison materials so I just repeat what people told me. But seriously, the scenery is breathtaking. Even with cloudy weather the journey up the glacier is worthwhile as the clouds passing by create a surreal atmosphere (especially around the suspension bridge).

Stairway to Nothingness

For people who are looking for added thrills, the glacier offers the beautiful Suspension Bridge , an Ice Palace and the famous ‘Stairway to Nothingness’. You have to pay an addition Euro 10.- ticket for access to these three attractions. After buying your ticket you follow a route that passes all three experiences and your first challenge will be to cross the Suspension Bridge. The pictures might look way scarier than crossing the bridge actually is, but if you suffer from vertigo I don’t think you are going to like this…

After the bridge your second challenge awaits: The Stairway to Nothingness. 14 narrow steps take you down to a glass platform where remarkable views downwards and across the mountains are guaranteed. Don’t worry, it’s strong enough; feel free to jump if you want to test!

Following the bridge and the stairs, you enter the Ice Palace. You will be guided six meters under the ice to a journey through Europe. Created in 2007, the Ice Palace consist of ice pillars, a crystal dome and multiple detailed carved figures displaying all kinds of European landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Brandenburger Tor.

The above-mentioned attractions are all just a few minutes’ walk from the mountain terminal. Ambitious hikers have various tours to choose from, either starting at the valley terminal or on top of the mountain.

Schladming-Dachstein in Styria

As part of the Propel conference I visited the city of Graz in May 2019. Graz (Vienna’s cooler little sister) is the perfect city-trip destination and a great hub for hiking trips in the mountains. I traveled 2 hours from Graz to Schladming-Dachstein in the very western part of the state of Styria (one of Austria’s 9 states). The popular Schladming-Dachstein area is famous for skiing and hiking and offers amongst others:

• Ca. 1,000 km of marked hiking paths • 300 mountain lakes, 1,000 springs, 100 waterfalls • Sommercard for free admission to over 100 experiences • Sightseeing, snowboarding, alpine and Nordic skiing, mountaineering, hiking, rock climbing, paragliding.

Schladming-Dachstein Summercard

If you plan to stay in the area, consider buying yourself the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard . The card offers free admission to over 100 experiences and is actually free of charge when you stay as little as one night (exclusively at one of over 1,000 Sommercard hosts). The Dachstein gondola (ticket up and down) is included with a minimum stay of 2 nights where the costs for the Ice palace and the suspension bridge are not included (10 €).

For all my French readers, please have a look at Corinne’s story at Vie Nomade: La région Schladming-Dachstein en Autriche: un Balcon Extraordinaire sur les Alpes. German readers will enjoy the story written by Patrick at GermanBackpacker: Schladming-Dachstein: 3 Highlights für deinen Besuch.

This trip was sponsored by Graz Tourism . Thanks for inviting me to visit Austria to discover the hidden gem called Graz and do some adventurous hiking in Schladming.

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‎ Austria ‎ > Hallstatt > Dachstein Ice Caves Near Hallstatt

Hallstatt Suggested Itineraries | Getting To Hallstatt

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Old Town Walking Tour
• Ice Cave & 5 Fingers
• Salt Mine Tour
• Best Side Trips
• How To Get To Hallstatt
• Suggested Itineraries
• Luggage Storage & Bag Lockers

Hallstatt Ice Cave & 5 Fingers Tour:

Location :  Krippenstein Peak of the Alps’ Dachstein Mountain Range Elevation :  Ice Cave is 4500 Feet & 5 Fingers is 6890 Feet Distance From Hallstatt : 3 Miles ( direct by bus 543 ) Time Required : 3-3.5 hours for Ice Cave including round trip transportation including the bus, cable car, and hike. ( +60 to 90 minutes for the 5 Fingers; +60 minutes to eat at the Dachstein Lodge ) Fun Scale :  10 out of 10

Dachstein Ice Cave Overview:

There are only a few places on Earth where tourists can easily access mega-sized ice caves and Hallstatt has one of the best.  The neighboring Krippenstein Mountain of the Alps’ Dachstein Range ( Stone Roof ) provides the perfect conditions for the cave to thrive.  Taking the official guided tour of the Dachstein Ice Cave is easy to do in a half of a day from nearby Hallstatt and one of the best activities to do in Austria.

Also near the main Ice Cave, the Mammoth Cave offers great trekking, the 5 Fingers Lookout will let you dangle high over mountain’s edge with a view that will make you feel on top of the world, there are wonderful Alpine hut restaurants to visit, and there is great hiking above the tree line.  You definitely want to make it up Dachstein for at least part of a day while in Hallstatt.

Seasonal Hours In Winter:

The Dachstein Ice Cave is closed for the Winter each year from late-October until May.  Depending on snow levels the 5 Fingers Lookout trail is often closed for hiking in Winter, but can still be reached with snowshoes or skis.  Even with the Ice Cave closed, the upper sections Dachstein Mountain and Alpine huts are open in Winter.  Snowboard, ski, and snowshoe rental equipment is available at the Dachstein Visitor Center.

Getting To Dachstein From Hallstatt:

By Bus 542/543 :   The best way to reach the Dachstein Mountain Visitor Center from Hallstatt is the local Postbus 543.  You can catch this bus/shuttle van at the main Hallstatt Bus Station ( Hallstatt Lahn ) just South of the village center as  it does a loop  between Hallstatt Gosaumühle > Hallstatt Lahn > Obertraun > Dachstein and back at least once an hour from 8am-5pm.  A current pdf schedule can be found  HERE .   At the bus stop, the schedule will be in German and “ ruckfahrt ” is when it arrives at the stop you’re at while “ abfahrt ” means when it will depart.

If you are arriving into  Hallstatt by bus , Bus 150 from Salzburg meeting Bus 542 at the Bad Ischl Train Station.  From Bad Ischl, you will ride South to the Hallstatt Gosaumühle Bus Stop just North of town and transfer to the local Postbus 543 for the last few miles into Hallstatt.  Instead of getting out at Hallstatt Lahn, ride the Bus 543 10 minutes further all the way to the Dachstein Visitor Center.  You can always double check with your driver that they are stopping at Dachstein, but they will.

By Train :   If you are arriving into  Hallstatt by train , you can switch to the bus route easily in Bad Ischl Station along the way.  Alternatively, you can also stay on the train until the next stop after Hallstatt Station called the Obertraun Train Station ( Obertraun Banhhof ) where you can also grab Postbus 543 on the way up Dachstein Mountain.  ( Printable Bus 542 Timetable ).  Keep in mind that there are no luggage lockers or bag storage at the Bad Ischl, Hallstatt, or Obertraun Train Stations but there are a few at the Dachstein Visitors Center.

By Car/Taxi : If you are driving yourself there is a large parking lot right at the Dachstein Visitor Center.  Taxis are very limited in this small village so it is suggested that you book in advance.  The main companies we have used are  Taxi Godl  which runs 24 hours a day, and  Taxi Rastl .  If you’re staying in Hallstatt, your hotel can help with taxis.  There is also a parking lot if you have your own car in Hallstatt.  If you are in a pinch you could hike as it is only 3 miles away, but the last 3/4 mile is steep, there are no sidewalks, and it ends up taking about 2 hours to hike.

Ice Cave Tour & Nearby Sights:

1. dachstein visitor center :.

About The Dachstein Visitor Center : A trip to the Ice Caves and 5 Fingers starts with a visit to the Dachstein Visitor Center.  It’s here that you’ll buy your tickets for the lift up the mountain and for your Ice Cave tour.  The Visitor Center and each of the gondola lift stations will have wifi available.  Another thing that is great is that the Visitors Center added a limited number of bag lockers in 2017 to make it easier for visitors who have luggage.  As of our last visit, the Visitor Center has 12 Medium lockers ( 60x35x85 cm ) and 10 Large lockers ( 90x35x85 cm ).  You can find out more on the luggage storage options around Hallstatt Here .

Before leaving the Visitor Center, make sure to  keep track of the time  the last bus departs the mountain back to Hallstatt ( typically between 3pm-5pm ) as you don’t want to have to walk all the way back.  The best way to make sure you’ll have ample time is to go to the mountain early in the morning, spending the first half of your day here with the second half back in Hallstatt.  Also, make sure to wait in the parking lot right where the bus dropped you off to get picked back up when you leave and make visitors get distracted and miss the bus entirely.

2. Dachstein Cable Car :

About The Dachstein Cable Car :  It’s hard to believe that visitors to the Ice Cave once had to hike all the way up the mountain.  With the  opening of the gondola in 1951 , the journey became much easier and the annual visitors have grown to over 180,000 people.  The 1st section of the 3-tiered cable car gondola climbs a  staggering 2461 feet from the Visitor Center which seems almost unreal, but surprisingly the ride is very smooth.

At the top of the 1st cable car section is the  Schönbergalm Lodge which has a restaurant, a museum, and is the jump-off point for the cave tours.  The 2nd level of the cable car takes you to the 5 Fingers Lookout , Welterbespirale Lookout, Krippenstein Lodge & Restaurant, the Heilbronn Cross Trail with the Dachstein Shark, and most of the Winter ski runs.  The 3rd and final level takes you to the Gjaidalm Lodge which offers great mountaintop hiking between Alpine huts and all the way to the Dachstein Glacier.  It is fun to hear your fellow passengers ooh and ahh as the car sways slightly in the middle of the journey.

Make sure to pay close attention to the gondola schedules  each time you exit at a lift station so you can make sure to be back in time for your desired return down the mountain.

Service Hours : The cable car runs year-round.  In the Spring through Summer it goes Daily every 15 minutes from 8:40am.  The last car back down leaves at 5:10pm ( 4:50pm from 3rd station ) in the Spring and Fall and these hours are extended to 7:10pm ( 6:45pm from 3rd station ) in July & August.   Winter Hours :  Daily every 15 minutes from 8:30am-4:30pm.   Cost : The most common ticket is 34.50€ ( kids 18.90€ ) which covers your roundtrip lift to the first station plus a guided tour of the ice cave.  The ticket we get most is is the 43.70€ ( kids 24.20€ ) which cover the first two lift levels plus the Ice Cave tour and it’s less than 3€ to add all three sections of the lift to this ticket.  For access to all the lift levels for hiking but no Ice Cave tour it is 30.90€ ( kids 17€ ).    Staying On The Mountain : If you are staying on the mountain you will only have to buy your pass once and can use the lift system for the duration of your stay.

3. Dachstein Ice Cave Tour ( Dachsteinhöhlen ):

About The Dachstein Ice Cave :  Dachstein Ice Cave ( Dachsteinhöhlen ) is awesome!  While there are a few other ice caves in Austria, including the World’s largest one in Werfen, we prefer Dachstein.  We like it more because they normally let you take pictures while Werfen does not, and the surrounding Dachstein sights including the village Hallstatt offer a complete all day experience.

The first sections of the Dachstein Ice Cave were  discovered in 1910  and tourist access began only 2 years later.  Until the cable car opened in 1951, the only way to reach the caves were by extreme mountain hiking mixed with some rock climbing.

The ice in the cave is formed by water which seeps from the Dachstein plateau down into the cave through small cracks and joints in the cliff.  When outside temperatures are above freezing the caves still contain really cold air, so the penetrating water freezes and forms magnificent ice shapes and frozen waterfalls.  Although some Summer water flow is warm enough to produce slight melting, it actually balances the winter growth some which is a good thing.  The Winter-Spring growth exceeds the Summer ice loss and the constant cycle of slight melting with growth guarantees the survival of this magnificent natural showcase and frozen waterfalls.

Guided Tour Overview :    We recently took the 50-minute guided tour for the third time and got submerged inside the magic of the icy landscape.  After a 20 minute hike from the cable car to the entrance, you head into the mountain through stalactite passageways and down into a large hall called Saint Arthur’s Dome.  The huge hall, dominated by rock boulders, is where they have found ancient  cave bear bones  which had signs of human processing.

As you head deeper into the cave you start to feel the icy chill until your first frozen sighting.  The stairs will lead you up to and through an  impressive wall of ice  with a frozen tunnel called the Keyhole.  From the Keyhole the sure size of the caves really begins to hit you and the fantastic formations have names like the Ice Palace , Tristan Dome ,  Big Ice Chapel , and then the 30-foot-tall phallic shaped Big Ice Mountain .

Our favorite ice formation is the called Castle of the Holy Grail which shimmers in colors from white to dark blue, depending on the lighting.  The caves just seem to get better and better as they go on and even have a  frozen waterfall !  As an extra treat, the Alpine view as you leave the cave is one of the best in all of Austria.

Ice Cave Tour Cost :  Your Ice Cave tour will be added as an option as you buy your cable car pass at the visitor center.  We suggest the package that at least includes the ice cave and ride up to the Tier 2 area. ( Current Prices ).   Ice Cave Tour Hours :  The cave tours are CLOSED in the Winter and only run May-October.  The 50-minute tour runs daily late-April through October 9:20am-3:30pm but stays open until 4pm in June and until 5pm July through August.  You will sign up for your time slot once you reach the 1st level cable car station.   How To Dress :  Because the caves rarely exceed freezing, you should wear closed toed shoes, a hat, and either a sweatshirt or coat.   Piano Concerts :  In August they have 4-5 nights with special below ground piano concerts right in the middle of the cave with the frozen formations as a backdrop ( more info ).

4. Dachstein Cave Museum ( Höhlenmuseum ):

About The Cave Museum :  On the crossroads between the lift station and the path to the two caves is a very interesting museum highlighting the history of the Dachstein Ice Caves.  The museum is housed in a series of wooden and stone huts which helps it blend into nature.

Our favorite item on exhibit in the museum is the skull of an ancient cave bear they found while exploring the cave.  You can also see a model of the 30 miles ( 48 km ) of corridors that have been explored in Mammoth Cave.  In the nature park around the museum, kids can join in a number of activities including the training ground for archery.

Cost : Free.  Hours : Open during cable car operating hours April 30 to October 30; closed in Winter.

5. Mammoth Cave ( Mammut ):

About Mammoth Cave : Mammoth cave is quite long and a favorite among cave enthusiasts.  Overall, Mammoth Cave is the 30th longest and 31st deepest cave in the world.  More than 37 miles ( 60 km ) of passageways have been explored in the cave and around 1 km of them can be viewed during the standard 1 hour long guided tours. There are also really cool 4-hour long trekking  tours where you strap on full caving gear for those looking get more down and dirty.

The Mammoth Cave is cool, but most visitors on a tight schedule won’t find it very cool in comparison to the Ice Caves.  If you are in Hallstatt for two full days or more than by all means check out Mammoth while up the mountain as it’s included in your lift pass anyway.  On the flip side, if you only have one day in Hallstatt do the Ice Caves in the morning and skip Mammoth.

Mammoth Cave Tour Hours :  The cave tours are CLOSED in the Winter and only run May-October.  Normal 1 hour long tours run daily the second week of May-October from 10:30am-2:30pm ( until 3pm June 15th-early August, until 3:30pm mid-August through October ).  Check out the  current schedule .  It is recommended to start your ascent no later than 2pm to make the last tour as it can take 25 minutes to walk from the cable car station up to the cave entrance.  Please note the last cable car back down the mountain from Level 1 leaves at 5:10pm ( 5:40 June 15th through July ).  Verify current times especially if on a tight schedule.    Mammoth Cave Tour Cost :  Add the cave tour onto your cable car pass,  ( Current Prices ).

6. 5 Fingers Lookout :

About The 5 Fingers Lookout : The 5 Fingers Lookout viewing platform in Hallstatt offers an adrenaline rush at the highest level.  Opened in 2006, it’s definitely one of the most spectacular viewing platforms in the Alps and reaches out like a 5-fingered hand over a 1300 foot ( 400 meters ) vertical drop.  Even more impressive than then drop is that tiny Hallstatt will now be almost 5,000 feet below you!!!  

Each of the 13-foot-long ( 4 meters ) platforms at the 5 Fingers Lookout has a unique design, with different exposures to the height and unique views down over Hallstatt.  One of the platforms has a section made entirely of glass and another enables visitors to gain their own personal view of Hallstatt through a large Baroque picture frame.  The 5 Fingers are also illuminated until midnight and can be seen easily be seen after dark from the center of Hallstatt.

Time Required : 60-90 minutes including the round trip hike and time to check out the lookout.

Getting Here : Take the cable car up from the Ice Caves to the Level 2 Station and follow The Experience Trail directly to 5 Fingers.  The walk time takes between 20-30 minutes each way.  Hikers also like to visit the Pioneer Cross an additional 20 minutes past the 5 Fingers.  Make sure to give yourself an extra 30 minutes round trip if you wish to stop at the Welterbespirale Lookout on the way back to the cable car.

Lookout Hours : Basically open all day all year, however, in the Winter the trail often requires snowshoes depending on the snow levels.  Use caution around the snow-covered open-air installation in Winter.  Cost :  Your cable car pass to the 2nd level is all you need as the sights here are free.

Last Cable Car Down :  Keep track of the time as the last cable car from the 2nd Tier Station going back down the mountain leaves at 5pm ( 4:40pm in Winter; 7pm in July & August ).  We usually keep track of how long it took to walk from the cable car to the lookout point so we know when we need to head back, expect it’ll take longer on the walk back as well.

7. World Heritage Spiral ( Welterbespirale ):

About The Welterbespirale Lookout :  Further Past 5 Fingers is the true summit of Krippernstien Peak and the World Heritage Spiral ( Welterbespirale ) lookout point.  The World Heritage Spiral ( Welterbespirale ) is cool not only because of its curving, shiny metal surface, but also for the large viewing platform built by World Natural Heritage.

We also love the summit’s over-sized wooden lawn chairs, trust us you’ll love resting on the chairs too as the walk to Welterbespirale ends up being a lot longer than it initially looks.  In the Summer the Spiral’s hill is a popular grazing point for a small herd of sheep which really makes you feel in touch with nature.

Time Required :  You’ll want 30 minutes round trip to break off the main Express Train to see the Welterbespirale Lookout, with 60 minutes being ideal if you want to lounge in the grass of benches to relax.

Lookout Hours :  Basically open all day all year, however, in the Winter the trail often requires snowshoes depending on the snow levels.  Use caution around the snow-covered open-air installation in Winter and stick to the paths.  Cost :  Your cable car pass to the 2nd level is all you need as the sights here are free.   Last Cable Car Down :  Keep track of the time as the last cable car from the 2nd Tier Station going back down the mountain leaves at 5pm ( 4:40pm in Winter; 7pm in July & August ).

8. Krippenstein Lodge & Restaurant :

About Krippenstein Lodge : Sitting within a 5-minute walk of the 2nd level cable car station is the rustic Krippernstein Lodge.  It is our favorite place to stop for food and a drink on top of Dachstein Mountain and the perfect lunch spot any time of year.  The patio is an excellent place  to relax in the Summer and the lodge is conveniently located next to most of the  Winter ski runs .

The Lodge is well known for their traditional spätzle, apple strudel, cold beer, and their very large Lodge Burger.  There is something about spending even just 30-60 minutes on the Krippernstein Lodge patio that makes you appreciate your visit to Dachstein so much more.

Staying at Krippenstein Lodge will give you a lot more time to hike on top of the mountain without worrying about the cable car schedule and you’ll have the peace of almost no tourist in the evening.  If you stay here overnight ( which we have ), make sure to catch the sunset from the Welterbespirale tower.   If you are lucky enough to book in advance you can stay in one of the dreamy panorama rooms  with tall windows overlooking the mountains.  In the Summer the lodge even has a petting zoo for kids thanks to its resident goats.

While the Krippenstein Lodge is the best place on the mountain to eat, there is another restaurant located right in the 2nd level cable car station ( boring ), one inside the 1st level cable car station ( basic ), and a collection of Alpine huts that serve food that can be hiked to from the 3rd level station.

Lodge Website :   Here .

9. Dachstein Shark :

About The Dachstein Shark : Installed in 2013, the playful Dachstein Shark sculpture is a great reminder that the mountain tops you are walking on were once the floor of the Tethys primordial ocean .  Most of the area around the shark is actually a fossilized seabed as you will see with the cow prints further up the Heilbronn Trial.

What’s really cool about visiting the sculpture is that you can climb inside the shark  and get a view of the seabed from behind its teeth filled jaws.  The large sculpture weighs 13,000 pounds and had to be flown up the mountain by helicopter after spending time at the bottom of Lake Hallstatt which help create the rusty exterior color.  Especially if you have kids, you have to visit the Dachstein Shark.

Time Required : It takes 30 minutes to hike to from the 2nd level station and is another 60 minutes from here to the Heilbronn Cross. Hours :  Open all year as even in the Winter you can still ski or snowshoe to it.

10. Heilbronn Cross Trail :

About The Heilbronn Cross Trail :  If you are down for a little more extensive hiking consider doing the loop trail to the  Heilbronn Cross .  The Cross is a memorial place to 13 climbers who died in a mountain tragedy in 1954.  Our favorite sight on the trail are the  fossilized cow footsteps  which are a reminder that these mountains once formed the floor of the Tethys primordial ocean.

Time Required :  The loop trail is easy hiking with only a gradual slope and takes around 3 hours to complete.   Stating at the 2nd level station it’s 30 minutes to the Dachstein Shark, another 60 minutes to the Heilbronn Cross, and a final 90 minutes either back to the 2nd level station or up to the 3rd level station.

11. Gjaidalm Lodge & Alpine Hiking :

About Gjaidalm Lodge :  For those wanting a truly Alpine experience you may want to stay at one of the many Mountain Guesthouses on top of Dachstein at the Cable Car’s 3rd and final level.  The easiest one to access on the 3rd level is the Gjaid Alm which is only a 10-minute walk from the station.  They have 55 rustic double rooms, wifi, and even a sauna.  During your visit or stay in the Summer months you can expect to see cows, goats, sheep, and even horse horses around the Gjaidalm Lodge.

Much like the Krippenstein Lodge near the 2nd level station, the Gjaidalm Lodge has some of the best hospitality in the region.  From the lodge, you’ll have access to a lot of great hiking, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.  You will even be able to get some views of the Dachstein glacier which is about a 4-hour hike away near the Simonyhutte Lodge.

Getting Here :  It’s only a 5-minute walk from the 3rd level station.   Website :   Here .

12. Wiesberghaus Lodge :

About Wiesberghaus Lodge :  While our preferred place to stay on the 3 station level of Dachstein is Gjaidalm Lodge, the Wiesberghaus Lodge is a great back up with year-round activities.  Sitting at 6503 feet in elevation the cozy lodge has 83 beds and actually has cell phone reception!

It is about a 2-hour hike from the 3rd level cable car station to Wiesberghaus Lodge so it is a good place to stop for food on your way up to either Simonyhutte Lodge or the Dachstein Glacier.  We love having beers on their patio, especially in the Summer.

Getting To The Lodge :  By hiking it is 2 hours from the 3rd level cable car station; 4-5 hours from the valley floor at Hallstatt; or the taxi company Godl in Hallstatt can take you from the Echerntal parking lot in town to the drip wall which is only a 1 hour and 45 minute hike up.   Seasonal Hours :  The Lodge is typically open all year.   Website :   Here .

13. Simonyhütte Lodge :

About Simonyhütte Lodge :  The most remote of the Alpine huts, Simonyhütte Lodge sites at 7228 feet in elevation and lets you get up close and personal with the  Dachstein glacier .  The first rescue hut was established here in 1843 followed by the lodge which was  built in 1877  by the Austrian Alpine Club and named after the famous Dachstein explorer Friedrich Simony ( 1813-1896 ).  The 42-bed lodge is rustic, but does offer food and wifi.  The sunrises from the lodge are quite famous and in the peak months, you will have to book far in advance.

Getting To The Lodge :  By hiking it is 4 hours from the 3rd level cable car station; 90 minutes from the Wiesberghaus Lodge; 5-6 hours from the valley floor at Hallstatt; or the taxi company Godl in Hallstatt can take you from the Echerntal parking lot in town to the drip wall which is a 3 hour and 20 minute hike up to the lodge.   Seasonal Opening :  Open daily end of January-October; closed in November; varies December-January based on the weather.   Website :   Here .

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Amazing Dachstein Ice Caves & 5 Finger Viewing Platform Near Hallstatt!

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Home » Amazing Dachstein Ice Caves & 5 Finger Viewing Platform Near Hallstatt!

Planning your big vacation across Europe?

Well, the sensational Dachstein Ice Caves and the amazing 5 Fingers Viewing Platform in the Dachstein Mountains near the historic town of Hallstatt in Austria are definitely the places to visit while you’re at it.

Dachstein Ice Caves & 5 Finger Viewing Platform

There aren’t too many places in the world which offer you the opportunity to experience the beauty of a mega-sized ice cave, and the Hallstatt Ice Caves is only one of the few.

Located on the Krippenstein Peak of the Alps’ on the Dachstein Mountain Range, the Dachstein Ice Caves are among the greatest natural wonders of the Earth.

It is often described as an “Ice Palace” and offers one of the most breathtaking experiences you can have as a traveller. Vast icebergs, massive glaciers, and frozen cascades of sapphire-colored ice are a few of the sights you can expect to catch a glimpse of as you explore through the ancient ice cave near Hallstatt.

If that’s not enough, the 5 Finger Lookout near Hallstatt will let you hover high above the clouds and offer you the view of a lifetime! So, if we have managed to spark an interest in you, here’s a little guide that will help you get the best out of your journey!

The Dachstein Ice Caves

The Dachstein Ice Caves are one of the largest ice caves in the world, extending around 50 kilometers deep into the Dachstein Mountain Range.

The first section of this cave was discovered way back in 1910, and it became a tourist attraction only a couple of years later.

The Cable Car Service was opened in 1951 before which the only way to reach the caves involved extreme mountain hiking and even rock climbing.

The stunning labyrinths of the Dachstein Ice Caves almost appear as an enchanted “Palace of Ice.” There are very few places on Earth where you can experience such stunning natural beauty, granting it the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As you reach the entrance of the cave, you can join a guided tour which will take you deep into the enchanting ice cave.

The expert guides will fill you in on the complete story of how these caves were formed and provide all kinds of interesting facts and info about the place. A little further into the caves, there lies a huge cavern referred to as the St. Arthur’s dome.

There you will see huge rocks, and hear stories about the archaeological findings of the place. Some of the key areas inside the caves include the Ice Palace, the Parsifal Dome, the Big Ice Mountain and the Castle of the Holy Grail.

The 5 Finger Viewing Platform

As you exit the cave, you can head on to the 5 Finger Lookout which offers spectacular views of the entire mountain range!

The 5 Finger viewing platform is situated at the top of the mountain and getting there involves catching a second cable car, which you can easily avail near the exit of the Ice Caves. The Dachstein Cable Cars depart every 15 minutes, and it takes only about 5 minutes to reach the lookout.

The Five Fingers viewing platform is basically a viewing platform located at an altitude of 2108 meters above sea level. It offers a breathtaking view of the Alps, looking over the entire Lake Hallstatt and the Krippenstein Mountain Range.

The platform is shaped like a 5-fingered human palm with a 1300 feet vertical drop right below it. Standing on the platform and looking around will most definitely give you an adrenaline rush.

Where are the Dachstein Ice Caves and the 5 Finger Viewing Platform?

The Ice Caves and the 5 Finger Lookout are located about a 30-minute drive South-East from Hallstatt at Krippenstein, 4831 Obertraun, Austria. You can also reach it on a day trip from Salzburg as well.

How to reach the Dachstein Ice Caves and the 5 Finger Lookout?

There are a number of ways to get to your final destination. You can either take a bus, catch a train or pre-book your taxi. In our case, however, we had a rental car, and I think that this was the best way of getting there.

Here is some info for if you are not travelling in Austria by car.

The easiest way to reach the Dachstein Ice Cave and its nearby attractions are to catch a bus to the village of Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn. The best way to reach Obertraun is to catch the Postbus 543 from Hallstatt Lahn, which is on the southern side of the village.

The bus fare is around 2 Euros, and tickets must be purchased while boarding the bus. The bus 543 can easily be caught from Hallstatt Lahn between 8am-5pm, and there’s a bus leaving every one-and-a-half hours.

It takes around 30 minutes to reach Obertraun from Hallstatt, and it is also the last stop of the ride. So, you don’t have to worry about missing your stop.

2. By Train:

Alternatively, if you are planning on arriving in Hallstatt on a train, you are better off staying on till the Obertraun Train Station and then catching the Postbus 543 on the way up the mountain.

3. By Taxi:

Taxis in the area are almost non-existent, so you’re better off booking one in advance if you plan on reaching Obertraun by Taxi.

5. Final Destination – by Dachstein Cable Car:

Once you reach the village of Obertraun, the Dachstein Cable Car will take you to the Dachstein Caves and the 5 Fingers Viewing Platform Obertraun.

Best Time to Visit

The absolute best time to visit the Dachstein Ice Caves and 5 Finger Lookout would be between May to October. The Cave remains closed for the general public in the winter months between late-October to April.

High snow levels often force authorities to close the 5 Finger Lookout as well, but can still be reached if you’re wearing snowshoes and other proper mountain gear.

As for the summer months, the Dachstein Ice Caves remain open between 9:20 AM and 3:30 PM with a slight variation in the timing depending on weather conditions.

Since the caves are located at an elevation of 1,455 meters, you have to depend on the Cable Car to reach it. The Cable Car timings vary but usually has its last descent around 5 PM.

A great time to visit the Ice Caves of Dachstein would be in August when unique events and concerts are held at the Parsifal Dome inside the cave.

Ready to Head Out?

If you’re planning a trip across Europe, then the Dachstein Ice Cave in Austria is definitely worth a visit.

Not only are the Ice Caves stunningly beautiful, but the entire town of Hallstatt and the surrounding regions let you experience some mesmerizingly beautiful landscapes, the likes of which you’d not find anywhere else in the world.

Over to you:

• When are you planning to visit the amazing Ice Caves and the 5 Fingers Lookout?
• If you already been, please share your experience with us in the comments below.

Andrzej Ejmont

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Best Things to do in Hallstatt, Austria

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The Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut region with 7,000 years of history, rich culture, prehistoric civilization, and the oldest salt mine is rich in nature too.

The historic region, thus, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 as Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape.

The Dachstein-Salzkammergut region comprises the little towns of Bad Goisern, Hallstatt, Gosau, and Obertraun.

Read More: Suggested Europe Itineraries for Spending 10 Days in Europe

Hallstatt – First Impressions

Hallstatt is the soul of the Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape.

This picturesque teeny-weeny village on Lake Hallstatt (Hallstätter See) enveloped by Dachstein Alps in the Salzkammergut region in Austria is often dubbed the oldest still-inhabited village in Europe.

A town that has been gloried by famous writers, poets, painters, photographers, and explorers; Hallstatt right on looks like a picture-book town.

A little over an hour’s drive from Salzburg makes Hallstatt an ideal day-trip destination or a weekend getaway. Hallstatt can be explored on a day trip from Vienna .

You can keep Salzburg as a base to explore this tiny village and other places in the Salzkammergut region though we strongly recommend spending a night in Salzkammergut to get a taste of the Austrian countryside.

Let me first answer the questions floating around the internet about this tiny little cute town in Austria. Does it just look beautiful in pictures or is it really worth a visit? Is it overhyped?

Is Hallstatt Overrated?

You must have come across tourists quoting Hallstatt as an overrated or overhyped destination while researching the town.

It is overrated. Maybe. Or it seems to be overrated to you.

That’s natural.

After lusting at photographs of the stunning town all over the internet, you decide to visit Hallstatt with already high expectations.

You saw a little town set in just about 59 km square.

It’s a cute, charming, picturesque town enveloped by breathtaking wilderness. No doubt about it.

But it’s just a tiny town settled on a single main street lined with cottage houses, shops, cafes, restaurants, two churches, a museum, and one market square.

You spent an hour or so strolling the streets and taking a good number of photographs in exactly the same style and composition you’ve seen on Instagram but what after that?

Hallstatt feels underwhelming then.

It fails to meet your exceeding expectations.

It’s not because it doesn’t deserve the hype but because you had high hopes.

A tiny town with less than 800 inhabitants warmly welcomes about eight hundred thousand tourists every year.

There’s a reason that travelers flock from all across the world to see it. There’s a reason China made an all-out replica town inspired by Hallstatt . Isn’t it?

Is Hallstatt Worth Visiting?

I know. I know. This is your next question.

Of course! You can’t afford to miss the other-worldly and pure experience that is Salzkammergut when in Austria .

When you add Hallstatt to your itinerary, keep only 3 to 4 hours for it. Club it with other gorgeous places in the Salzkammergut region like Attersee-Attergau, Ausseerland, Bad Ischl, Dachstein, Fuschlseeregion, Mondsee-Irrsee, Traunsee-Almtal, and Wolfgangsee depending upon the time you have on hands.

Also, it’d be lovely to spend a night at one of the less popular yet beautiful towns near Hallstatt.

What’s the Best Time to Visit Hallstatt?

For the quintessential experience in Hallstatt, visit during shoulder season or off-season.

We visited during Summer and the streets were bursting at the seams. Nevertheless, Hallstatt is a stunning sight despite it being jammed with tourists.

It looks fairy-tale town all covered in snow in winter (December through January) and thus, is the second busiest time of year in terms of tourists. I’d totally recommend going to Hallstatt in winter. It’d be lovely to walk in the winter wonderland!

Spring (March and April) and Fall (October and November) are the least crowded and least expensive months to visit this storybook village.

How to Get to Hallstatt

Salzburg to hallstatt.

If you plan to visit Hallstatt as a day trip and don’t intend to explore or spend a night in the Salzkammergut region, it’s advisable to keep Salzburg as your base as it’s the closest city to Hallstatt.

ÖBB bus number 150 from the Salzburg bus terminal at Südtiroler Platz takes you to Bad Ischl from where you transfer to a regional train that goes to Hallstatt train station and finally, you board a ferry Stefanie from the train station to Hallstatt Markt.

Hallstatt train station which is in fact Obertraun is on the other side of the lake from the town. So, taking a ferry is unavoidable while coming by train.

Alternatively, you can board bus number 542 to Gosaumühle and switch to bus number 543 from Gosaumühle to Hallstatt Lahn (main bus stop, Hallstatt.)

The same bus continues to the Dachstein Krippenstein in Obertraun.

ÖBB (Railjet) train from Salzburg’s main train station, t he Hauptbahnhof , takes you to Attnang-Puchheim from where you change for the regional train to Hallstatt train station and then a ferry Stefanie from the train station to Hallstatt Markt.

If you are planning to get back to Salzburg on the same day, please be aware of the last ferry and bus and/or train timings.

By Rental Car

Driving is the easiest, fastest, and most beautiful way to reach Hallstatt from Salzburg. It takes a little over an hour for the entire journey. You save a lot of time, you see.

There are two driving routes to travel from Salzburg to Hallstatt, whatever you take, breathtaking views are guaranteed.

You’ll be urged to pull off the road and breathe in the views.

Route A10 and B166: Salzburg – Hallein – Golling – Abtenau – Gschütt Pass – Gosau – Hallstatt

Route B158: Salzburg – Fuschl – St Gilgen – Strobl – St Wolfgang – Bad Ischl – Bad Goisern – Hallstatt

Vignettes (Motorway Toll Stickers) are mandatory for driving on all Austrian motorways and highways. You can buy one from gas stations, post offices, rest areas, or automobile clubs. A 10-day sticker costs 9.20 euros.

You can also travel through the Salzkammergut to Hallstatt past charming villages on a guided day tour from Salzburg.

Vienna to Hallstatt

It’s not a good idea to travel to Hallstatt from Vienna as a day trip because of the inordinate distance. It approximately takes 4 hours by train and 3 hours by car.

Instead, you can also explore this little town as a stop while traveling from Vienna to Salzburg.

ÖBB train from Vienna’s main train station, Wien Hauptbahnhof, or Vienna’s west train station, Wien Westbahnhof takes you to Attnang-Puchheim from where you change for the regional train to Hallstatt train station and then a ferry Stefanie from the train station to Hallstatt Markt.

The driving route A1, B145 from Vienna via Melk, Gmunden, and Bad Ischl takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Book a guided day tour from Vienna to Hallstatt and Salzkammergut here.

Parking in Hallstatt

Hallstatt has 3 public parking areas (P1, P2, and P3,) all within walking distance from the old town.

P1 and P2 are located near the Cable Car Station to the Salt Mine while P3 is located a bit away.

We reached quite early in the morning and thus, got a convenient spot in Car Parking P2.

As you enter the town, the electronic signposts clearly show the number of parking spots available.

Get your parking ticket from the ticket machine and pay at the time of exit by cash or card.

Find more information on parking in Hallstatt here.

Things to do in Hallstatt

Hallstatt is one of those places where you’d love to do nothing. Don’t we all need such undemanding places in our itinerary to get the much-needed break in between hectic travel?

Stroll the Old Town

Hallstatt is magical. It’s enthralling to stroll the streets lined with little shops and pastel cottage houses with window boxes filled with colorful flowers.

Such an extraordinarily good outdoor touch! They look like a work of art!

It takes no more than 15 minutes to stroll from one end to another. It’s that small!

You can get to the Tourist Information Center at the south end of the town to learn about the region or get the activities brochures.

Old Town Market Square (Hallstätter Marktplatz)

The historic market square, surrounded by little picturesque houses, souvenir shops, cafes, and a mighty Holy Trinity statue in the center serves as a venue for most of the events and celebrations in the town.

Hallstatt Advent (Hallstatt Christmas Market) on December 8th every year at Market Square attracts thousands of tourists from all around the world.

Evangelical Church of Hallstatt

The Neo-Gothic Evangelical Church of Christ was founded in 1863 steps from the Market Square of Hallstatt.

The church regularly holds cultural events apart from sermons.

Museum Hallstatt (Welterbemuseum)

The World Heritage Museum takes you back in time to when the ancient salt mining town was formed 7,000 years ago.

You’ll learn how the Iron Age was named after Hallstatt and how the Great Fire of 1750 gave Hallstatt a new look.

The history is presented in such a fun yet informative way using video animations, 3D presentations, cycloramas or dioramas, and holographic representations that kids are hooked to the end.

The archeological excavations beneath the Janu sports shop (Dachsteinsport Janu) are worth seeing. The shop is located exactly opposite the World Heritage Museum.

Hallstatt Charnel House

Just at the back of Hallstatt Catholic Parish Church , St. Michael’s Chapel , in a well-maintained cemetery or graveyard is the Hallstatt Charnel House aka Hallstatt Beinhaus or Hallstatt Ossuary .

A small subterranean cave-like room is tightly and neatly stacked with around 1,200 skulls and other bones. Around 600 skulls are delicately and artistically hand-painted by family members with symbolic adornments, dates of birth, and death to remember the deceased ones when they no longer had their own graves.

Hallstatt being a small place has a small burial ground. The church dug up corpses as the cemetery filled to make way for the newly deceased and the skulls plus bones from the buried bodies were moved to the charnel house.

A short hike on the Hallstätter Höhenweg (High Trail Hallstatt over the rooftops of Hallstatt) starts behind the cemetery and takes you through a forest road to the Marienruhe lookout point.

After taking in the wonderful postcard views over Hallstatt Lake, walk to the bridge at Mühlbach (mill brook) waterfall.

From here, you can either take downhill to Salzburg Cable Car or walk a few steps forward to take the Müllerstiege (Müller staircase) that leads you back to the center of Hallstatt.

Lake Hallstatt

The lake connects the towns of Hallstatt, Obertraun, Bad Goisern, and Gosau in the Dachstein Salzkammergut region.

The best way to experience the Dachstein Salzkammergut is from the waters of Hallstätter See (Lake Hallstatt.)

You can rent a pedal boat, electric boat, or rowboat to cruise the lake on your own.

Otherwise you can take one of the roundtrip ferry rides or cruises on the excursion boats offered by Lake Hallstatt Schifffahrt Hemetsberger GmbH .

Hallstatt Skywalk Welterbeblick

The World Heritage Skywalk hangs 350 meters over the cliff above the roofs of Hallstatt on the Salzberg (salt mountain) and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut.

You can either take a funicular (Salzbergbahn) or hike for an hour or so to reach the skywalk. The roundtrip funicular ride costs 18€.

Hallstatt Salt Mine Tours (Salzwelten)

All dressed in miners’ gear, you can take a guided tour of the pre-historic salt mine. The tour lasts about 70 minutes and starts near Welterbeblick.

The total time needed including the roundtrip funicular ride is somewhere around 3 hours. Add the hours you’ll spend on the skywalk.

The tour costs 34€ per adult and 17€ per child including a funicular ride. Family tickets are also available.

The smallest of four communities with about 760 inhabitants in the World Heritage Dachstein Salzkammergut region, Obertraun snuggles in a valley formed by the River Traun at the foot of Dachstein, surrounded by the Alps on the southeastern shore of Lake Hallstatt.

The Krippenstein mountain is the most dramatic feature of Obertraun.

Dachstein Krippenstein

Just a 15-minute drive from Hallstatt takes you to a whole new world of adventure amid nature, Dachstein Krippenstein in Obertraun .

A beautiful short hike that starts from the Dachstein Krippenstein Valley Station along the Koppentraun River is all it takes to explore the newest of the three Dachstein caves, Koppenbrüller Cave .

A panoramic cable car rides you to Krippenstein’s peak which offers drop-dead gorgeous views of Dachstein Glacier. The viewing platform, 5fingers presents spectacular views down over the Salzkammergut region.

You can explore the other two entrancing Dachstein caves – Giant Ice and Mammut caves on the way to Krippenstein. Get down at section I mountain station – Schönbergalm .

Once you are done with the caves, you can ride a cable car to section II mountain station – Krippenstein.

There are a couple of hiking trails for families that start from the mountain station II Krippenstein .

A 5-minute hike from Krippenstein towards the right leads you to Welterbeblick , a viewing platform that presents the World Heritage View.

A 15-minute hike from Welterbeblick takes you to another viewing platform Welterbespirale that offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Dachstein.

A little downhill ahead of Welterbespirale, the 5Fingers platform welcomes you. An adrenaline rush at its best!

The five different platforms and five different experiences!

The one made entirely of glass left me weak-kneed!

If you turn left from the mountain station II Krippenstein, you can walk the Heilbronner Circular trail for about 30 minutes to reach Dachstein Shark , the high point of the trail.

You can come back to Krippenstein from here but if you’ve time and energy, you can hike for another hour or so to Heilbronner Cross and further to Mountain station III – Gjaid and board the cable car all the way down to the valley station Dachstein Krippenstein.

There are many moderate hiking trails from Gjaid for hiking enthusiasts – Dachstein Nature Trail, Dachsteinblick, and Taubenkogel.

Where to Stay in Salzkammergut

Hallstatt, Gosau, Obertraun, Bad Goisern, Bad Ischl, St Gilgen, Strobl, St Wolfgang, and other gorgeous cozy little villages in Salzkammergut and around have a perfect setting for a beautiful night stay.

Hotels in Hallstatt

Ferienhaus salzberg.

Just a short walk from the old town, Ferienhaus is rated the best in Hallstatt by families with kids and couples time and again.

Check the availability on Booking.com

Read reviews on TripAdvisor

Hotels in Gosau

Cooee alpin hotel dachstein.

Located in one of the best areas in Gosau, COOEE Alpin has a great location score as it surrounds itself with the spectacular Alps.

Check availability on Booking.com

Hotels in Obertraun

Haus salzkammergut.

A perfect little spot in Obertraun away from the heaps of tourists in Hallstatt, Haus Salzkammergut is good for couples and families.

Located at the foot of Krippenstein, Haus Rye comes highly recommended by every kind of traveler – solo travelers, couples, or families with kids.

Hotels in Bad Goisern

Apartmenthaus hinterer.

The best value in Bad Goisern, Apartmenthaus Hinterer is a beautiful apartment with a mountains view.

Wohlfühlhotel Goiserer Mühle

Located in the Bad Goisern Spa Park, the rooms of the property offer beautiful views and serve organic cuisine from the region.

Hotels in Bad Ischl

Hotel-garni & hostel sandwirt.

Just a 5-minute walk away from the center of Bad Ischl, the property is highly rated for the courteous staff and awesome vegetarian buffet breakfast.

Hotels in St. Wolfgang

Hotel bürglstein.

Located right on Lake Wolfgang, the property has a private beach and a restaurant with a beer garden. Luxury in nature!

Hotels in St. Gilgen

Hotel-garni schernthaner.

A beautiful traditional, family-run hotel is located just 300 meters from Wolfgangsee Lake. It has been rated 9.4 for a stay with kids. A great choice for families!

You can also find real-time hotel deals in Salzkammergut here.

Tips for Visiting Hallstatt and the Dachstein Salzkammergut

• If traveling in summer months, plan to reach as early as possible like by 8 am or so before the daytrippers arrive. This way you’ll have a little town all to yourself, take as many postcard-perfect photos as you want, and get the parking easily if coming by car. It usually gets busy by 10 a.m.
• Make sure to book your hotel in advance to get the desired accommodation as the stay options are limited.
• For a relaxing holiday, travel to Hallstatt and the rest of the Salzkammergut region during the off-season. The area sees the maximum number of visitors during the months of June, July, August, and September.

Have you ever been to Hallstatt, Dachstein, or other places in the Salzkammergut region of Austria? How do you like it? Did you also feel that Hallstatt is overrated? I’d love to know! And if this post helped you plan a beautiful trip to Hallstatt and Dachstein, be a sport, and please share it with the world.

Recommended Reading: Renting a Car in Europe Schengen Visa for Europe How to Plan a Trip to Europe Gorgeous Places to Visit in Austria 10-Day Central Europe Itinerary Austria Itinerary Things to do in Vienna, Austria Where to Stay in Vienna, Austria Best Day Trips from Vienna, Austria Vienna Quotes Wachau Valley, Austria Things to do in Salzburg, Austria Best Hotels in Salzburg Grossglockner High Alpine Road

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Top 10 Hikes and Walks in the Dachstein Mountains

Dachstein Mountains

Hiking in the Dachstein Mountains

Want to go hiking in the Dachstein Mountains? In this guide, we’ve reviewed our full collection of hikes and walking routes in the Dachstein Mountains to bring you the best hiking routes in the region. To see which of our walks in the Dachstein Mountains is the right one for you, browse real tips and photos uploaded by other hikers—and see what they had to say about each walk.

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Panoramablick – Vorderer Gosausee loop from Gappen

Friedenskircherl – stoderzinken loop from assach.

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Wasserfall – silberkarhütte loop from kulm, stoderzinken – friedenskircherl loop from assach, vorderer gosausee – vorderer gosausee loop from gappen, blick zum dachstein – dachsteinblick loop from ramsau am dachstein, blick zum dachstein – dachsteinblick loop from mandling, silberkarklamm – wasserfall loop from kulm, dachstein südwandhütte – super blick aufs massiv loop from ramsau am dachstein, gjaid alm – krippenstein loop from obertraun.

Our Tour recommendations are based on thousands of activities completed by other people on komoot.

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• Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut
• Scharnstein
• Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee
• Aritzbach Wald
• Traunkirchen
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Schladming-Dachstein 4+

Travel-guide and guest-card, schladming-dachstein tourismusmarketing gmbh, designed for iphone.

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Description.

With the Schladming-Dachstein app you have your summer card digital on your smartphone. As a guest, you will receive the Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card free of charge for your stay from one night in a card partner company. The summer card is valid from 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and all day during your stay, including the day of departure. - Over 100 free attractions included - one ascent and descent daily with a mountain railway of your choice (Dachstein 1x within 7 days) - Over 100 bonus benefits with up to -50% discount - Over 40 vacation activities especially for children and families included

Version 1.4.100

- some bug fixes for displaying challenges

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The developer, Schladming-Dachstein Tourismusmarketing GmbH , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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Ski amadé Guide

Schladming-Appartements

iSKI Obertauern

story2go - Schladming

alpenvereinaktiv

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Landscape
• 1.3 Flora and fauna
• 1.4 Climate
• 3 Fees and permits
• 4 Get around
• 10.1 Lodging
• 10.2 Camping
• 10.3 Backcountry
• 11 Stay safe

The Dachstein is a 20 x 30 km limestone massif in the Northern Calcareous Alps, in Austria . The summit is at 3,000 m (although different maps invariably quote 2,997 - 3,003 m), with dozens of other peaks above 2,500 m. The Dachstein is situated on the border between Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) and Styria (Steiermark). Parts of the massif also lie within Salzburg state.

The Dachstein massif is most famous for its large glaciers, which flow from south to north towards the Hallstatt and Gosau valleys. It is also famous for giant cave systems, including an ice cave, accessible from the northern side of the mountain (Obertraun and Hallstatt).

Understand [ edit ]

History [ edit ], landscape [ edit ], flora and fauna [ edit ], climate [ edit ], get in [ edit ].

A cable car provides quick and easy access to the top of the Südwand and the back of the Hallstatter and Schladming glaciers. From the cable car station, you can hike onto the glacier, surrounding summits, or climb to the Hoher Dachstein summit (3000 m).

Fees and permits [ edit ]

A return journey on the cable car costs €47 (price updated July 2023).

Buying a ticket on the cable car includes the cost of the toll road from Ramsau to the cable car base station. Otherwise, the road toll is €6 per person.

Get around [ edit ]

See [ edit ].

• Krippenstein & the Dachstein Caves - For an alternative view of the glacier, take the cable car from Obertraun up to the Krippenstein, via the Eishöhlen and Mammuthohlen (ice caves and Mammoth caves respectively).

Do [ edit ]

Buy [ edit ], eat [ edit ], drink [ edit ], sleep [ edit ], lodging [ edit ], camping [ edit ], backcountry [ edit ], stay safe [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

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Dachstein Circular Hiking Trail

Komme gerade von diesem sehr schönen Rundwanderweg zurück. ...

Manageable daily stages, no need for ropes or climbing gear, trail time between 4 and 7 hours, through an imposing alpine massif famous for its breadth of landscapes.

This 8-day hike on and around the Dachstein will lead you through:

• Sharp rocks over green alpine pastures
• Bizarre edges and enormous towering rock walls
• Glacier ice, limestone rocks,
• Lonely high-alpine terrain, virgin forests and rewarding summits
• Mysterious karst springs and mirroring mountain lakes

Considering the scenic highlights and the differences in altitude, this circular trail will lead you around the Dachstein counter-clockwise – to blend the landmarks in a more harmoniously and to make this experience even more memorable.

Beginning in the north-west, on the shore of the Gosausee, we continue along Dachstein’s south face to Ramsau. From there, we hike east across the glacier to the Guttenberghaus and continue to the Stoderzinken. Through the Notgasse and Viebergalm, we make our way north across a secluded high plateau – following the footsteps of pilgrims until we reach the Salzkammergut region. On flat paths, we hike through the Salzkammergut, past Bad Aussee, Obertraun, Hallstatt and Bad Goisern – always following the course of Traun. Finally, we cross the Kalmgebirge (mountain range) to the Goiserer Hütte and onto a path back to Gosau.

Track types

Safety information.

This tour includes different altitude zones, so there are different requirements for the different stages. On this stage it is possible to hike in the valley as well as on glaciers and alpine climbs up to 2600m. Due to the sometimes high altitudes, weather conditions can change quickly, so equipment for all conditions should be considered (rain protection, mountain shoes, poles, warm clothing, etc.).

The hut keepers can assess the situation on the mountain very well, so they are good advisors when it comes to weather changes. Wrong equipment, carelessness, bad condition and wrong assessment of the situation can lead to critical situations. The glacier part should only be used on the marked routes, as there is a risk of glacial crevasses.

If something should happen call following emergency numbers:

• No. 140 - the number for all Alpine Emergencies in all of Austria
• No. 112 - European emergency call GSM emergency-call-service

Tips and hints

Due to the fact that the hiking tour consits of eight stages, the overall duration can vary! 

Of the 141.5 km, around 136 km have to be covered on foot, the remaining km are covered at the Dachstein cable car entrance using a gondola and by boat to cross Lake Hallstättersee.

Destination

Turn-by-turn directions.

Starting the tour at Vorderer Gosausee’s parking lot, follow trail no. 620 in the direction of Gosausee. Passing below Gosaukammbahn’s lift route onto a windy trail, you will reach the Gablonzer Hütte .

From there, take trail no 611 to cross the meadow and enjoy a beautiful view onto the Gosausee and the Törleck. Cross the border between Upper Austria and Salzburg and you will reach the Törlecksattle at 1.557 m. Continue your journey on the Austria path no. 611 along the south side of the Großen Donnerkogel until you pass the Stuhlalm . From there, a steep, windy incline takes you through rocks and larches until you reach a more comfortable passage that will lead you up and down until you reach your first finish line: the Hofpürglhütte .

On the 2nd stage of this tour, take the Austria Trail 612/601 + 617, a high-alpine trail that brings you closer to the Dachstein glacier. Slight gradients lead over the Kesselwand, where the Stieglweg No. 612 crosses, which leads back to Gosau.

However, continue on path no. 612/601 + 617 and surpass the tree line - now you can enjoy impressive views of the Hohe Tauern!

On the path 617, a short ascent will take you up to Sulzenschneid summit. Walk back down to Sulzenhals and continue to the Windlegerkar (coombe) below the ridge, until you reach the ‘Tor’ (gate). Here you can get your first impression of the destination of this stage: the Dachstein Südwandhütte.

Now you will cross the border between Salzburg and Styria, walking along a windy path and over scree until you reach the Torboden.

Conquering the last ascent of this stage, you will reach the Südwandhütte on the Schönbühel – your stopover.

On the 3rd day, you can choose between 2 different paths, depending on your physical health and fitness levels.

1st variant:

Take the path from the Südwandhütte to the Türlwandhütte and take the Dachstein Gondola up to the glacier. At the mountain station: walk down to the viewing platform ‘Sky Walk’ and enjoy the impressive scenery. To make this an even more memorable experience, you can go and climb the Dachstein from here: walk past the lift, following the snow groomed path to the Seethalerhütte. From there, you are close to the starting points of via ferrata ‘Schulter’ and via ferrata ‘Randkluft’ which will both take you up to Dachstein summit.

2nd variant:

Directly behind the Südwandhütte, follow the steep, windy path (no. 615) to the starting point of via ferrata ‘Hunerkogel’ on the right. Climb it up until you reach the edge of the glacier. From there continue on the marked path to the north.

Both variants will join at the gondola’s mountain station ‘Hunerkogel’. From there, you should leave at 4pm the latest to complete the last section of this stage.

Walk past Gjaidstein and walk to the left of the chairlift towards the east. Follow the coloured markings on the rocks and snow poles. Hint: the ‘Steinmandl/Taube’ (cairn) is an additional point of orientation in this area. At mark 674, the snow is often still frozen so you have to be sure-footed and carefully watch your step. Walking poles will offer better stability here! Carefully watch the weather on this high-alpine walk - there are no shelters on the way. At the Feisterscharte: follow the short but steep descent of path no. 616 until you reach the Guttenberghaus.

The 4th day will start with a short ascent to Feisterscharte. Follow trail no. 618 over the northern slope of Sinabell to the east. Keep on walking past rocks, mountain pines and gorges. You will reach the Grafenbergalm after walking for approx. 3 hours. From there, you will be leaving the high-alpine terrain and walk back into the woods. After having been exposed to a barren rocky landscape for this long, the contrasts between meadows and forests are even more prominent. As this is a popular hiking area, many different hiking trails will cross our path. Be careful to stay on path no. 618 towards the west. Look back and enjoy a last good view of the glacier. Then, follow the path through a dense forest, down a windy road. Pass the Brunnerhütte and walk up to your destination: the Steinerhaus .

From the Steinerhaus , walk back down and continue along path 618 . Walk over big roots and uneven grounds until you reach the fork below the Kimpflingsattel. Careful, even though the crossing is sign-posted, it’s easily overlooked! Follow the path to the Notgasse for approx. 30 min. This is a beautiful gorge with steep, up to 60m high, rock walls, and historic rock paintings. Follow the path through the gorge until you reach the forest path leading you to Brandalm . Pass the Viehbergalm and walk into the woods - this section is also called the ‘Bettlersteig’ (beggars’ path). The path is marked as ‘Dachstein Rundwanderweg’ and will lead you over Hochmühleck summit and the Goseritzalm back down through the woods to Steinitzenalm .

The 6th stage of this tour starts from Steinitzenalm and passes the snack station Stieger. Follow the signs for the karst springs ‘Strumern’. Follow an even path to Ödensee and the Traun, along path no. 17 to Bad Aussee . There, we follow the forest path along the railway tracks to the ‘Vogelhütte’. Cross the suspension bridge and walk along the banks of the Koppentraun river. Walk through a water cave and along the Obertrauner high-alpine route to Obertraun. Walk along the lake to Hallstatt’s train station. There, take a boat across the lake to Hallstatt – today’s destination.

The 7th stage follows the brine pipeline path to Bad Goisern. Take the inclined lift, next to Salzwelten Hallstatt , to Rudolfsturm keep. There, you will follow path no. 601 north to the Franz Joseph Stollen . Walk along Hallstätter Sees shore and cross the Gosauzwangbrücke (bridge), and pass the waterfalls. Follow the history-themed path, of Hallstatt and its surroundings, to Bad Goisern – your last stopover on this tour.

The final stage of this long-distance hike starts at the centre of Bad Goisern . Follow path 801A/880 in the direction of Unterjoch . On a serpentine road, you will walk steadily uphill between alpine pastures. From the top, you will have a beautiful view onto Lake Hallstatt. Continue the ascent past the Goiserer Hütte and have a quick look at the Kalmooskirche - the church was used to hold secret protestant masses.

Follow the path back to Goiserer Hütte and take the descent (path 801A/880) past Iglmoosalm towards Gosau.

From there, you can take the 2-hour long panorama trail from Gosau to the Voderer Gosausee to complete this circular trail and to dangle your feet in the water.

Coordinates

Book recommendations for this region:, recommended maps for this region:.

Depending on the chosen stages!

With a total ascent of all eight stages: Rainproof clothing, sturdy shoes, rucksack, hiking poles, sleeping bag if necessary.

Similar routes nearby

• Gosausee - Hofpürglhütte | Dachstein Circular Hiking Trail: Stage 01
• Hofpürglhütte - Südwandhütte | Dachstein Circular Hiking Trail: Stage 02
• Around the Bischofsmütze mountain "Stage 2"
• Hofpürglhütte - Südwandhütte | Sun Trail Dachstein: Stage 01
• Hallstatt - Bad Goisern | Dachstein Circular Hiking Trail: Stage 07

Questions and answers

Photos from others

Weather at the route's trailhead.

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From the Gosausee to the Hofpürglhütte

From the Hofpürglhütte via the gate at altitudes of up to 2030 m to the Dachstein Südwandhütte. 1st stage of the 3-day tour "Dachstein Loop", ...

From the Dachstein Südwandhütte via the glacier to the Guttenberghaus. 2nd stage of the 3-day tour "Dachstein Loop", 3rd stage of the 8-day-hike ...

From the Guttenberghaus to the Steinerhaus on the Stoderzinken. 

From Steinerhaus am Stoderzinken via Notgasse and the summit of Hochmühleck to Steinitzenalm.

From the Steinitzenalm along the Traun and by ferry across the lake to Hallstatt.

Excursions and leisure tips for the region

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Long distance hiking

Long distance hikes have their special charm. Spending several days in nature, just switch off and go hiking. The path is the goal until you reach your destination.Through Bad Goisern, Obertraun, Gosau and Hallstatt leads the 350 km long "Berge Seen Trail" , the 235 km long "Salzalpensteig" and the 121 km long Dachstein Circular Trail .

Not so far away but still extendable to several days are the 24 km long circular hiking trail around the Gosaukamm and the only 8 km long Nature Trail on the Dachstein Krippenstein, which explains the flora and fauna as a signposted theme trail.

SalzAlpenSteig

Walk around the "gosaukamm", berge seen trail.

We do not climb mountains to reach summits but return home to a world that appears to us to be a life given again. Reinhold Messner

Walk around the Dachstein

Nature trail, frequently asked questions about long distance hiking trails, are there long distance hiking trails in bad goisern, gosau, hallstatt or obertraun.

Yes, the "Berge-Seen-trail", the Dachstein circular hiking trail and the "Salzalpensteig" lead through the four towns. In Obertraun there is also the Nature Trail at the Dachstein Krippenstein and in Gosau at Dachstein the Gosaukamm circuit.

How long are the Berge-Seen-Trail, the Dachstein circular Trail, the Salzalpensteig, the Gosaukamm circuit and the Nature Trail?

Mountain Lakes Trail 350 km

Salty alpine climb 235 km

Dachstein circular hiking trail 121 km

Circular hiking trail around the Gosaukamm 24km

Nature Trail 8 km

How many day stages does the Berge-Seen trail include?

The 350 km of the Berge Seen Trail through the whole Salzkammergut can be completed in 20 day stages. Experienced and well-conditioned hikers can also manage several stages per day.

How many daily stages does the Dachstein circular trail include?

The Dachstein circular hiking trail awaits you with 8 daily stages through mountains, valleys and past the most beautiful lakes of the Inner Salzkammergut.

How many day stages does the Salzalpensteig include?

18 stages lead along the 235 km long Salzalpensteig from Obertraun on Lake Hallstatt in the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut via Lake Königssee in Berchtesgarden to Lake Chiemsee.

How many day stages does the Gosaukamm circuit include?

Well-conditioned hikers can manage the 24 km of the Gosaukamm circuit in one day. We recommend that you definitely take 2 - 3 days to soak up the nature, the fresh air and the views.

How many day stages does the Nature Trail include?

The Nature Trail can easily be done in one day. Hikers who want to delve deeper into the flora and fauna of the Dachstein Krippenstein can also extend it to 2 days.

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Watch CBS News

U.S. issues travel warning for Israel with Iran attack believed to be imminent and fear Gaza war could spread

By Debora Patta , Tucker Reals

Updated on: April 13, 2024 / 5:25 PM EDT / CBS News

Update: Iran launched drone attacks against Israel on Saturday. Read CBS News'  latest coverage here .

Tel Aviv  — Israel is bracing for a worst-case scenario that U.S. officials believe could materialize within just hours — the possibility of a direct attack on Israeli soil by Iran in retaliation for a strike almost two weeks ago that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has vowed to take revenge for Israel killing its commanders, who were hit by an April 1 strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital.

Two U.S. officials told CBS News that a major Iranian attack against Israel was expected as soon as Friday, possibly to include more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country. Sources have told CBS News the retaliation could include attacks carried out both by Iranian forces, and proxy groups around the region that it has been funneling additional arms to for weeks.  

The officials said it would be challenging for the Israelis to defend against an attack of that magnitude, and while they held out the possibility that the Iranians could opt for a smaller-scale attack to avoid a dramatic escalation, their retaliation was believed to be imminent. 

Asked Friday how imminent he believes an attack is, President Biden responded, "I don't want to get into secure information, but my expectation is sooner than later." The president urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: "Don't."

Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire, so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.

With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared … both defensively and offensively."

On Saturday, all U.S. embassies in the Middle East were put on high alert and required to hold emergency action committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon and Israel were specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."

If Iran does choose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019 .

"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured … I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."

Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.

U.S. "really trying to avoid war"

The U.S. sent a senior general to Israel this week to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack. Speaking Friday on "CBS Mornings," America's top military officer said, "we're really trying to avoid war."

"This is part of the dialogue that I have with my counterparts within the region, to include the Israeli chief of defense, who I talked to yesterday," said Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr., adding that the U.S. military was "doing things not only to prevent a war, but at the same time, one of my primary things is to make sure all the forces in the region are protected."

"My role, as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is to plan and prepare," Brown said. "That's one thing we do very well."

Brown's Israeli counterpart, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, "completed a comprehensive situational assessment on the readiness of the IDF for all scenarios," Israel's military said Friday. 

"The IDF is very strongly prepared, both offensively and defensively, against any threat," Halevi was quoted as saying in the statement. "The IDF continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas, constantly preparing to deal with existing and potential threats in coordination with the United States Armed Forces." 

The IDF said the visiting U.S. general, Central Command chief Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, was taking part in the IDF's situational assessment.

The dilemma for Iran, said Israeli expert Shine, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to Israel's attack in Syria, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.

If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.

Weijia Jiang, David Martin, Margaret Brennan and Olivia Gazis contributed reporting.

• Middle East
• Benjamin Neta​nyahu

Debora Patta is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Johannesburg. Since joining CBS News in 2013, she has reported on major stories across Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Edward R. Murrow and Scripps Howard awards are among the many accolades Patta has received for her work.

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Israel-Gaza live updates: Netanyahu, war cabinet to again meet on response

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," an Israeli official said.

Iran on Saturday night unleashed a retaliatory strike against Israel , sending a volley of more than 300 uncrewed drones and missiles toward targets throughout the country, Israeli military officials said. All but a few were intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the United States, officials said.

The attack on Israel came more than six months after Hamas terrorists invaded the country on Oct. 7, after which the Israeli military began its bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Latest headlines:

Israeli war cabinet to consider response again tuesday, un watchdog calls for de-escalation in israel-iran conflict, iran will respond in 'seconds' if israel strikes back: iranian official.

• Iran did not give US heads up on Israel attack: Pentagon

Iran's attack on Israel, by the numbers

Israeli officials said the country's Iron Dome defense system endured a big test from Iran's attack on Saturday, intercepting 99% of the 300 "threats of various types" thrown at it.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari, launched 170 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more than 120 ballistic missiles and more than 30 cruise missiles in the attack.

Hagari said "99% of the threats launched towards Israeli territory were intercepted -- a very significant strategic achievement."

Hagari said the attack resulted in only one known Israeli casualty, a 7-year-old girl who was severely injured when she was struck by shrapnel apparently from an intercepted missile.

Yellen to Iran: US 'will not hesitate' to issue new sanctions

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is warning Iran that the U.S. "will not hesitate" to impose new sanctions in response to Iran's "unprecedented attack" on Israel.

"Treasury will not hesitate to work with our allies to use our sanctions authority to continue disrupting the Iranian regime’s malign and destabilizing activity," Yellen is expected to say at a Tuesday press conference. "The attack by Iran and its proxies underscores the importance of Treasury's work to use our economic tools to counter Iran's malign activity."

Yellen's message follows President Joe Biden's Sunday meeting with the G7 nations, during which the leaders discussed a coordinated effort on sanction measures.

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet is expected to meet again on Tuesday to consider an Israeli response to Iran's weekend attack.

"We are closely assessing the situation. We remain at our highest level of readiness," Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said on Monday. "Iran will face the consequences for its actions."

Halevi added Israel would "choose our response accordingly."

-ABC News' Morgan Winsor and Somayeh Malekian

United Nations officials called on Tuesday for Israel and Iran to de-escalate their conflict, saying the retaliatory military attacks “violate the right to life and must cease immediately.”

“All countries are prohibited from arbitrarily depriving individuals of their right to life in military operations abroad, including when countering terrorism,” the U.N.’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a press release , quoting U.N. officials described as "experts."

The retaliatory strikes by both countries may constitute the “international crime of aggression by civilian and military leaders responsible,” those officials said, according to the statement.

-ABC News' Kevin Shalvey

If Israel strikes back, the response speed from Iran "will be less than a few seconds," said Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy foreign minister of Iran for political affairs.

Minor damage reported at 2 Israeli air bases

At least nine Iranian missiles that breached Israel's air defenses struck two of Israel's air bases, but no significant damage was reported, a senior U.S. official told ABC News.

Five ballistic missiles hit the Nevatim Air Base, damaging a C-130 transport aircraft, an unused runway and empty storage facilities, the official said. Four additional ballistic missiles hit the Negev Air Base, but there were no reports of significant damage, the official said.

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said earlier Sunday that 99% of the 300 "threats of various types" Iran launched at Israel, including 120 ballistic missiles and more than 30 cruise missiles, were intercepted by Israel's air defense system and Israeli Air Force fighter jets, as well as "aerial defense systems and aircraft of our partners."

-ABC News' Martha Raddatz

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