Dachstein: 5 Fingers & Ice Caves

Where it is & how to get there

• From Hallstatt: About 10 minutes by bus or car to the Dachstein cable car in Obertraun.
• Cable car: Ride up to Schönbergalm for the caves, then on to Krippenstein for the 5 Fingers.
• Season: Ice caves are open roughly May to October.

The story of the Dachstein

The Dachstein massif rises above Lake Hallstatt and is part of the same UNESCO World Heritage area. Its limestone hides vast cave systems, including the Giant Ice Cave, filled with frozen waterfalls and ice formations.

On Krippenstein, the 5 Fingers platform stretches out over a 400-metre drop like the fingers of a hand, with a spectacular view down to Hallstatt and the lake.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Check cable car opening dates before you go.
• Visit the Giant Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave on the same ticket.
• Walk out on the 5 Fingers if you have no fear of heights.

What's around the Dachstein

• Giant Ice CaveIce formations inside the mountain.
• Mammoth CaveHuge limestone caves.
• KrippensteinSummit with viewpoints.
• ObertraunVillage at the lake's end.

Questions travellers ask