How to Visit Dachstein from Hallstatt: Ice Caves, 5 Fingers, and the Glacier Skywalk

If you're wondering how to visit Dachstein from Hallstatt (or just in general), let me stop you right there—you’re not just talking about one destination. 

One of the most common mistakes visitors make is assuming all the Dachstein attractions—like the 5 Fingers viewpoint, the Ice Cave, the Dachstein Sky Walk, and the Stairway to Nothingness—are all in the same place. They’re not. 

In reality, there are two separate sides of the mountain, both offering very different experiences. 

Read more about traveling in Austria.

Where are the Dachstein mountains?

Two very different experiences on Dachstein, each perfect for a day trip from Hallstatt

 

The Dachstein massif is a giant chunk of limestone that sprawls across three Austrian states: Upper Austria, Styria, and Salzburg. For most travelers, only two parts matter:

 

1. Dachstein Krippenstein (Upper Austria)

• Closest to Hallstatt and Obertraun
• Home to the 5 Fingers, Ice Cave, Mammoth Cave, and panoramic hiking trails
• 2025 operation: starts May 1 and runs until November 2
• Accessible via the Krippenstein cable car (all 3 sections of it!)
• This is the more popular of the two, with epic views over Lake Hallstatt, funky cave adventures, and some pretty spectacular high-altitude hiking.
   

2. Dachstein Glacier (Styria)

• Accessed from Ramsau am Dachstein (1 hour and 15 minutes from Hallstatt)
• Famous for the Sky Walk, Suspension Bridge, and the Stairway to Nothingness
• Open year-round except for a maintenance break in April 2025
• Reached via the Dachstein Cable Car (Panorama Gondola)
• This side gives you a standing-on-a-glacier vibe with insane views over the Alps, year-round snow, and some vertigo-inducing platforms.

The distance between these two areas is about 1.5 hours by car. So no, you’re not visiting both in one day. Each deserves its own day, and lucky for you, I based myself in Hallstatt, which made accessing both doable, and now I can tell you all about it (and let’s be honest, Hallstatt is worth a day of its own—here’s my full 1-day itinerary for Hallstatt).

 

This region has it all: Dachstein Glacier, the beautiful city of Hallstatt, Ice caves and even a salt mine

 

Make Hallstatt your base for exploring the Dachstein region

 

 

My 3-Day Dachstein + Hallstatt Base Trip Plan

I used Hallstatt as my base and I stand by that decision—unbeatable charm, central location, and easy access to both sides of Dachstein.

Here’s how I did it:

• Day 1: Hallstatt (the town, the salt mines, the lake, the ossuary, the Hallstatt Skywalk, the full experience). 

• Day 2: Day trip to Dachstein Krippenstein—5 Fingers, Ice Cave, the World Heritage Spiral, and hiking around Krippenstein.

• Day 3: Drive over to Dachstein Glacier near Ramsau—Panorama Gondola, Sky Walk, Stairway to Nothingness, and walk on actual glacier ice.

Don’t try to cram both Dachsteins into one day—it’ll just be a rushed blur of cable cars and disappointment. 

My guide will walk you through both areas so you can decide how to plan your time. 

 

 

On a clear day you can look straight down from the 5 Fingers platform to Lake Hallstatt, but don’t skip actually walking the promenade beside it during your Hallstatt visit

 

How to get to Dachstein from Hallstatt

From Hallstatt, you can easily reach both areas:

To Dachstein Krippenstein:

• 10-minute drive to Obertraun to the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car parking lot
• Or take the 543/542 bus from Hallstatt Lahn in 15–20 minutes

To Dachstein Glacier:

• 1 hr 15 min drive to Ramsau am Dachstein to the Dachstein 
• Toll road (EUR 20), but free if you validate your gondola ticket
• No real public transport; car required

 

The cable car situation (don’t get confused)

You can enjoy the sights of Krippenstein in this yellow beauty

 

There are two completely separate cable car systems that you need to master, one on each side of the mountain, each with their own quirks.

Dachstein Krippenstein Cable Car (Obertraun)

• It has 3 sections
  • Section I: Base to caves
  • Section II: To Krippenstein / 5 Fingers
  • Section III: To Gjaidalm (for hikes and lunch)
• Runs approx. every 15 minutes
• Ticket prices vary by section and combo
• Parking: Free
• How to find it on Google Maps: search for “Seilbahn Krippenstein”
   

Dachstein Glacier Panorama Gondola (Ramsau)

• Single cable car, steep as hell, fast ride
• Takes you to 2,700 m in 10 minutes
• Reservations necessary in high season
• Parking: Free, but EUR 20 toll for the scenic road (waived if validated at the gondola station)
• How to find it on Google Maps: search for “Dachstein Südwandbahn Talstation”
   

 

Which Dachstein is better?

Depends on what you’re into:

If you want...	Go to...
Ice caves + UNESCO views + hiking	Dachstein Krippenstein
Skywalks + glass stairs + glacier views	Dachstein Glacier (Ramsau)
Minimal travel from Hallstatt	Dachstein Krippenstein
Instagram panic platforms	Dachstein Glacier (Ramsau)

 

Day trip 1: Visiting Dachstein Krippenstein from Hallstatt—the famous Ice caves and 5 Fingers viewpoint

Get ready for some mountains! 5Fingers Viewpoint

 

• Main tourist attractions: Dachstein Ice Caves, 5 Fingers Viewpoint, Heilbronner Circular Trail
• Restaurant tips: Gjaid Alm
• Hotel recommendation: COOEE Alpin Hotel in Gosau
• 10-minute drive from Hallstatt, base station in Obertraun

 

How to get to Dachstein Ice Caves and 5 Fingers from Hallstatt

Just drive or take a quick bus from Hallstatt to the Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn station (about 10 minutes). That’s where you’ll hop on the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car.

There are three sections, but you’ll likely only need the first two. Parking is free, but spots fill fast, especially in summer.

You’ll need the first section of the cable car to reach the caves, and the second to get to 5 Fingers. It’s easy to navigate and very much a tourist machine, so don’t worry—you’ll be sucked in and spat out easily enough. 

My tip is to wake up early to try to beat the crowds. This side of Dachstein is the more popular of the two. If you’re staying at my favorite hotel, the COOEE Alpin Hotel in Gosau, it’ll take you 20 minutes to drive to the cable car parking lot. From Hallstatt, it’s just about 10 minutes.  

Pack yourself some warm clothes, you will need them!

 

Day 1, stop 1: Ice caves near Hallstatt

Me, freezing in the Giant Ice Cave
 

There are three caves in the Dachstein Krippenstein cave system—there is the Mammoth cave which is one of the largest karst caves in the world, the Koppenbrüller cave, the youngest of the caves with its hidden lake, and my personal favorite—the Giant Ice Cave, the one with an otherworldly atmosphere that I loved. 
 

1. Giant Ice Cave (The one to do)

This is the ice cave in Hallstatt/Dachstein that people are searching for. Think glowing ice formations, cool lighting, and dramatic music that really fits the place. 

• Visit duration: 50 minutes

• Distance: 800 m (0.5 mi)

• Temperature: 0°C. Dress like it’s winter, even if it’s July.

• Worth it? 100% yes
   

2. Mammoth Cave (The one you can skip)

There are no mammoths (it got its name because of its size). Just a lot of dry rock. The kind of place geology students get excited about. It’s massive in size, yes, but unless you’ve never seen a cave before, you don’t need to be sad if you need to skip it. 

• Duration: 50 minutes

• Worth it? Only if you’re really into caves or it’s pouring outside.
   

3. Koppenbrüller Cave (The “meh” option)

This one’s in the valley, not up the mountain, so it requires a 15-minute detour. There’s a lake inside and it’s supposedly impressive after snowmelt or heavy rain. That wasn’t the case when I visited, so it really wasn’t all that exciting to be honest. I mean, if you are into caves, you will be thrilled either way, but for those who feel like it’s enough to visit one cave in a day, this might be a waste of time.

• Visit duration: 30 minutes

• Worth it? Not really, unless you’re on a cave binge. It’s still nice. 

 

Day trip 1, stop 2: 5 Fingers Viewpoint aka the big reason people visit Dachstein

The views from 5 Fingers are what put this place on the tourist map

 

I don’t know what is more breathtaking, the hike up to the 5fingers or the view (probably the hike)

 

After the caves, I took the second section of the cable car to Krippenstein (you can also hike it in 30 minutes), then did a short 20-minute walk from the cable car station to the 5 Fingers viewpoint. There are signs so you can’t not find it. 

Even though the skies were a bit cloudy when I visited, the views from 5 Fingers were stunning!

 

What is 5 Fingers? 

Once you get to the viewing platform you will see why it’s called 5 Fingers. You’ll stand on five steel platforms, each with a fun little twist, jutting out over a 400-meter drop with the Dachstein Glacier (the one you’ll visit tomorrow) in the distance and Hallstatt valley below. 

• Walk from Krippenstein station: 20–30 minutes

• Difficulty: Easy, wide gravel path

• Time needed: 30–60 mins round trip

 

You even have a little Prague easter egg at the Spiral

 

Other things to do on Dachstein Krippenstein 

• World Heritage Spiral—If you hike just a little further up from 5 Fingers, you can even get a 360° view of the Salzkammergut region from the Welterbespirale. You are now 2,100 m (6,890 ft) above sea level

• Hike to Heilbronner Cross—I wanted to do a bit of Dachstein hiking and this 7.9 km (4.9 mi) moderate hike was the perfect 2.5-hour trail with 10/10 views. It also features the Dachstein Shark, which I really don’t get the meaning of. This hike starts at the 5 Fingers cable car station. 

• Welterbespirale Trail—Short panoramic loop, views of the Dachstein massif.

• Lunch at Krippenstein Lodge (Gjaid Alm)—I thought the food was fine, but the service wasn’t great and everyone knows what I think about tacky Austrian wooden interiors. But the views are still great.

 

The slightly out-of-place shark in Heilbronner Circular Trail

 

How much time do you need?

If you're coming from Hallstatt and doing:

• 5 Fingers only: 2–3 hours round trip

• 5 Fingers + Ice Cave: 4 hours

• 5 Fingers + Ice Cave + hiking: 6+ hours
   

So yes—you can easily do Dachstein Krippenstein as a day trip from Hallstatt, just give yourself enough time so you’re not rushing—all the logistics make things take longer than you’d expect. 

 

Prices & tickets (as of 2025)

• Cable car (Sections I & II round trip): EUR 44

• 5 Fingers viewpoint: Free

• Ice Cave or Mammoth Cave tour: EUR 14 each

• Combo tickets available and save you a few euros

• Kids under 4: Not allowed in the caves (and probably shouldn't be near a cliff either)

 

Day trip 2: Dachstein Glacier from Hallstatt (aka “the other side” with the trippy viewing platforms)

The views in Austria just never stop

 

• Main tourist attractions: Dachstein Glacier, Dachstein Skywalk, Stairway to Nothingness, Suspension Bridge, Ice Palace, Ramsau am Dachstein Panorama Trail

• Restaurant tips: Dachstein Glacier Restaurant | Walcheralm

• Hotel recommendations: COOEE Alpin Hotel in Gosau

• 1 hr 15 min drive from Hallstatt, base station in Ramsau

 

Getting from Hallstatt to Dachstein Glacier—Yes, it’s worth the drive

This is the Styria side of the Dachstein range, the one with all the glass platforms hanging over voids and dramatic skywalks. 

You’ll drive roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hallstatt to Ramsau am Dachstein, go through a toll road (EUR 20, but it’s waived if you ride the gondola), and take the Panorama Gondola to the top. 

Pro tip: Again, you’ll be spending the day up in high altitude, so wear something warm even in the summer months. Proper shoes (no sandals!) are also highly recommended.

 

Who’s ready for more glacier?

 

Riding the Dachstein Panorama Gondola

The more the merrier @Panorama Gondola

I recommend getting your gondola tickets online in advance and making a reservation once you know your plans, because line of people waiting can get annoyingly long. In the summer, they will turn people away if the gondola is fully booked for the day—so don’t just show up hoping for the best.

• Opening hours are from 7:50 am to 5:30 pm in the summer months. However, you better check the opening times before going because there is a lot of renovation work planned for 2023/2024.
• The cable car climbs nearly 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in under 10 minutes
• You can ride on the balcony of the gondola! 

On this trip, the adrenaline starts even before you get up to the glacier—the Dachstein Panorama Gondola actually earns its name—and you can ride up on the outside of it!

 

What to see on Dachstein Glacier (and in what order)

Dachstein suspension bridge, Sky Walk, and the Stairway to Nothingness

 

Everything is within walking distance once you're at the top (2,700 m / 8,858 ft). 

 

Stop 1: Dachstein Sky Walk

Not for the faint of heart @ Dachstein Skywalk

 

A platform with a little glass square at the end—if you're scared of heights, maybe just look out, not down. Great photo spot if you're into views. 

As you stand on the viewing platform, you're surrounded by a majestic mountain panorama. The platform creates the sensation of hovering in the sky above the landscape—something that is very popular in Austria. 

Is this the same as the Hallstatt Skywalk?
No. That one’s called the World Heritage View and it’s above Hallstatt, with a short cable car that takes you there straight from town. The Dachstein Skywalk, on the other hand, is at the glacier station near Ramsau—a completely different part of the mountain range, and not accessible from Hallstatt.

 

Stop 2: Suspension Bridge

Dachstein suspension bridge, Skywalk and the Stairway to Nothingness
 

Did the Skywalk make you nervous just a couple of minutes ago? Well, just wait for this next stop on this Dachstein itinerary!

A metal bridge dangling between peaks. Windy, crowded, and yes, it moves, giving you a heart-pounding experience you won't forget. This thing is no joke. The entire experience and the view below is insane!

 

Stop 3: Stairway to Nothingness

Did you think we were done with the adrenaline for the day? Nope, you were wrong. The Stairway to Nothingness is exactly what it sounds like. A short staircase that ends mid-air, with a 400-meter (1,300 ft) drop beneath you. I don’t know what Austrians have with these mid-air hanging platforms, but I have to admit, when you’re up there, it’s really cool. Take your pics and move on.

 

Stop 4: Dachstein Ice Palace

Felt like in an Indiana Jones movie @ Dachstein Ice Palace 

Leave the Ice Palace for the end of your visit as it is near the gondola station. The sculptures were pretty cool, all lit up like in the Giant Ice Cave yesterday. BUT this place gets insanely overcrowded, and the floor is very slippery, so for those who have some mobility issues, it might not be the best way to end your trip. Though I have to admit that it was quite entertaining to watch people struggle.

 

One of the statues in Dachstein Ice Palace

 

Skip the glacier restaurant

There is a glacier restaurant on the top of the mountain, but since the food was again mediocre and the service worse than yesterday, save yourself a headache and enjoy your lunch in Ramsau. What’s up with the slow and unwelcoming service, Austria?

 

Optional hike: Ramsau am Dachstein Panorama Trail

Save time for hiking in lovely Ramsau am Dachstein, right under the Dachstein glacier

 

You can tell I’m all about hiking, right? So, after all the fun and slightly obnoxious tourist attractions on Dachstein Glacier, I headed back down to Ramsau to do the Panorama Trail—a 10.5 km hike through forests, meadows, and Alpine bliss. 

• Time: 3-4 hours

• Length: 10.5 km (6.2 mi)

• Difficulty: Moderate with some hilly parts

• Reward: Actual peace and quiet, and much better food at Walcheralm hut

​

 

Final thoughts: Dachstein is an epic day trip (or two) from Hallstatt

The wonderful hills and chilling Ice caves give Dachstein a mystical aura

 

You’ve got two mountain experiences just a stone’s throw (or an hour’s drive) from Hallstatt. One offers underground magic and cliffside views over a UNESCO lake, the other is a glacier-top playground of platforms, bridges, and staircases into the void. For me, the perfect 3-day trip. 

Here’s a little summary for you:

• Dachstein Krippenstein: Caves, hikes, 5 Fingers = closest to Hallstatt
• Dachstein Glacier: Skywalk, Stairway to Nothingness, Ice Palace = 1.5-hour drive
• Hallstatt to Dachstein? Easily doable, just split it into two days, one for each side
• Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Want to learn about all the great things you can do in Hallstatt? Here’s my Things to do in Hallstatt guide, complete with my experience at each spot and tips for you to make the most of your visit.  

 

 

You might also be interested in reading:

• The Ultimate 10-Day Austria Itinerary
• One Perfect Day in Hallstatt
• What is Austria Known For? 13 Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
• 9 Unusual Things to Do in Vienna
• 7 Best Cities and Towns to Visit in Austria 

 

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through one of my links, I may earn a small commission—at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!