Hiking in the Salzkammergut

Mountain experience Dachstein Krippenstein

The beautiful Salzkammergut is ideally suited for hiking tours of all difficulty levels and the Dachstein mountain plateau in particular offers a wide range of hiking routes for the whole family – from exciting walks with disabled access to mountain tours lasting several hours at 3,000 m!

The Dachstein world of hiking offers endless enjoyable hiking tours from the Koppental valley of the river Traun to the mountain plateau of the Dachstein with its many peaks in addition to challenging mountaineering and climbing tours.

Perfectly accessible nature trails extend from the Obertraun valley station to the glacier region at 3,000 m, combining exciting information about the surroundings with a relaxed hiking atmosphere.

Stop off & enjoy a snack

A wide variety of gastronomy that ranges from restaurants with all-inclusive offers to traditional Alpine huts and lodges with local fare, invites guests in to stop off and enjoy the hearty local cuisine. So drop by and enjoy a snack!

Hiking in the valley

Koppenwinklalm to Koppenbrüller Cave


Starting point: valley station Dachstein Krippenstein cable car
Difficulty: easy hike
Walking time: 1.5 hours

From the parking at the valley station of Dachstein Krippenstein cable car via a forest road into the Koppenwinkl nature reserve to the Koppenwinklalm (alp), past the small lake Koppenwinkllacke to the restaurant Koppenrast and from here on to the Koppenbrüller Cave.

Easy hike on the mountain

World Heritage view


Starting point: mountain station Krippenstein (section 2)
Difficulty: easy hike, accessible for people with a disability 
Walking time: 5 minutes

From the mountain station Krippenstein, turn right along a comfortable footpath with no altitude difference until you reach the viewing platform Welterbeblick. This prospect awaits you: In the direction of the East to the karst plateau "Am Stein", in the direction of the Sued to Schladminger glacier, Hoher Gjaidstein, Dachstein summit, Hallstätter glacier and to the hut Simonyhütte.

Welterbespirale


Starting point: mountain station Krippenstein (section 2)
Difficulty: easy hike
Hiking time: 15 minutes

From the mountain station Krippenstein you walk via the viewing platform Welterbeblick to the Welterbespirale (World Heritage helix), the Krippenstein summit at 2,100 m. On the Welterbespirale you can enjoy a 360-degree all-round views of the Dachstein and into the Salzkammergut. On your way back we recommend you to visit the Heilbronner chapel. 

As a reminder of a great day on the Salzkammergut's most beautiful mountain peaks, you can should make a summit picture with the impressive Dachstein glacier in the background and share it with your loved ones at home. 

5fingers viewing platform


Starting point: mountain station Krippenstein (section 2)
Difficulty: easy hike, with child's pushchair possible
Walking time: from mountain station approx. 25 minutes, back from 5fingers to the mountain station approx. 30 minutes

From the Welterbeblick viewing platform (see above for route description), the trail leads on to the 5fingers. Short ascent to the turn-off to the viewing platform Welterbespirale then down with views of the Trauntal valley (Hallstättersee) and Hallstatt to the 5fingers.

Tip for your way back: Hike back to the he turn-off the Welterbespirale (360 degree all-round views!), visit of Heilbronner chapel, back to the mountain station and stop off at Lodge am Krippenstein or mountain restaurant Dachstein Krippenstein. 

Hiking on the high mountain

Heilbronner Circular trail


Starting point: mountain station Krippenstein (section 2)
End point/target: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
Difficulty: moderate hike, hiking trail on the high mountain
Hiking time: total approx. 3 hours

Heilbronner Circular Trail: From the mountain station Krippenstein turn left for a short distance down the ski piste then at the signpost turn left to the East and on at the marked trail - in 30 min you reach the Dachstein shark - after further 1 hour you are at the Heilbronner Cross.  From the Heilbronner Cross you continue your hike via the Hirzkar to the cable car station Gjaid (section III) or for another 10 minutes to the Gjaid Alm (stop-off possible).

Attention high Alpine terrain!

The Heilbronner circular trail and the Nature Trail run into the high mountains. The weather can change quickly, please take protection against the sun, rain and cold temperatures as well as a small snack and plenty of drinks with you! Robust hiking or mountain shoes are essential!

Dachstein Nature Trail


Starting point: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
End point/target: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
Difficutly: moderate hike, high alpine tour
Hiking time: approx. 6 hours, 8 km

The Dachstein Nature Trail leads over the Dachstein mountain plateau and through the Dachstein nature reserve (European nature reserve Natura 2000 and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hallstatt – Dachstein – Salzkammergut). Signposts along the way explain the special features of the karstic formation, fauna and flora.

From the cable car station Gjaidalm  via the lodge Gjaid Alm hut and on to the Wiesberghaus (hiking time approx. 2 hours), altitude difference approx. 140 m. From the Wiesberghaus on the Nature Trail in approx. 1.5 hours (altitude difference 330 m) to the Alpine hut Simonyhütte. Back the same way or via the Taubenkar to the Gjaidalm.

The Dachstein Nature Trail leads across an extensive karst mountain plateau within the unspoilt mountain landscape. This is characterised by impressive karst formation, varied flora and fauna and the eastern glaciers of the Alps.

The nature trail runs from the Gjaidalm via the Wiesberghaus and on to the hut Simonyhütte. Here, hikers can learn on special panels all about the geology and wildlife of the Dachstein plateau as well as the theme of karst landscapes . Overall, the trail is 8 km long and for everyone comfortable to commit. Shelter huts await tired walkers at regular intervals.

Dachsteinblick

Starting point: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
End point/target: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
Difficulty: moderate hike, high alpine tour
Hiking time: approx. 1.5 hours, 3 km

From valley station Gjaid (section 3) you hike on a trail to the Gjaidalm and pass the Schilcherhaus in the direction of Zwölferkogl to the Dachsteinblick (Dachstein viewing point). Relax on a bench or savour nature with magnificent views of the Dachstein and Hallstatt glacier! On the journey back, you can enjoy a stop-off at the Gjaid Alm.

Taubenkogel (2,301 m)

Starting point: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
End point/target: valley station Gjaid (section 3)
Difficulty: moderate hike, high alpine tour 
Hikint time: approx. 5 hours, 7 km, difference in high approx. 550 m

A Dachstein hike with a special charm which can be completed by any experienced hiker despite its high mountain alpine characteristics (the Taubenkogel is 2,301 m high).

The starting point is the valley station Gjaid (cable car section III). You hike along the well-kept path towards Oberfeld (former Bundesheer - federal armed forces station) and on for another approx. 10 mins towards the Wiesberghaus/Simonyhütte. At the turn-off to the Taubenkogel / Gjaidstein, you turn off onto trail no. 615. Slightly ascending through  splendid mountain pines and Alpine rose bushes (main blossoming season is July) you reach the ridge of the Niederer Rumpler (1,975m). 

The craggy and dangerous-looking North face of the Taubenkogel stretches out in-front and is now to be tackled. But don’t worry – after an hour of hiking, a serpentine trail leads up to the saddle of the Taubenkogel. Depending on the season, you may cross small snowfields, but be careful! Magnificent Alpine flora can be viewed along the entire trail in peak Summer.

Reached the saddle, the peak of the Dachstein with its glacier extends out in all its splendour. The half hour to the peak is easy to complete. A large summit cross invites hikers to take a well-deserved rest here!

Tip: High alpine mountain tour

Very sporty mountain climbers will also find something to suit their needs on the Dachstein thanks to the numerous Alpine tours on offer. Some suggestions for your next mountain tour at Dachstein in the Salzkammergut you will find on our website. 

[Translate to English:] Klettersteig Dachstein Krippenstein

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