Hoher Dachstein Mountain
Prominent limestone massif and glacier of Dachstein
The Hoher Dachstein massif offers a glacier plateau, caves, via ferrata routes and winter ski terrain; visitors hike, climb protected routes, and take cable cars to high viewpoints.
Hoher Dachstein at a Glance#
About Hoher Dachstein#
The Hoher Dachstein is the highest peak of the Dachstein massif in the Northern Limestone Alps of Austria, with a summit elevation of 2,995 metres.
Visitors encounter a limestone massif with glaciers, high plateaus and a network of alpine trails, via ferrata routes and cable car access on the northern side. Popular visitor attractions include show caves such as the Dachstein Ice Cave and the Mammuthöhle, plus panoramic viewing platforms and glacier viewpoints.
The Dachstein massif has a long mountaineering and alpine sport tradition; tourism infrastructure including cable cars and marked routes developed in the 20th century to serve climbing and skiing visitors. Its karst landscape and historic salt-mining connections helped form the adjacent Hallstatt-Dachstein cultural landscape.
Located on the border area between the Austrian states of Upper Austria, Styria and Salzburg, the Dachstein massif lies within the Northern Limestone Alps and is accessible from towns such as Hallstatt, Ramsau and Obertraun.
- Elevation and UNESCO Status: The main summit reaches 2,995 metres and the area is part of the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
- Access and Viewpoints: Via ferrata routes, cable cars and marked trails provide access to high viewpoints; the Sky Walk and viewing platforms are concentrated on the northern approaches.
What to See#
- Summit: The summit plateau and main peak at 2,995 metres form the highest point of the Dachstein massif and a popular objective for climbers and ski tourers.
- Glacier and Plateaus: Dachstein Glacier and the high karst plateau host glacier skiing and mountaineering routes, with accessible viewpoints and alpine huts.
- Caves and Tourist Sites: Show caves near the massif include the Dachstein Ice Cave and the Mammuthöhle (Mammoth Cave), open to visitors seasonally with guided routes into limestone chambers.
How to Get to Hoher Dachstein#
Hoher Dachstein is reached from the towns around the Dachstein massif. Common access points are Schladming/Ramsau am Dachstein and Obertraun/Hallstatt: from Schladming or Ramsau you can take the Dachstein cable cars (Ramsau-Hunerkogel area) and from Obertraun the Krippenstein cable car to reach high terraces and trails. Schladming is the nearest larger service town; driving distances vary by approach (Salzburg is roughly 70-90 km by road to the Dachstein area).
Tips for Visiting Hoher Dachstein#
- Take the appropriate cable car depending on your objective: Dachstein Krippenstein (from Obertraun) for the Skywalk and panoramic viewpoints, or the Dachstein glacier lifts (from Schladming) for glacier access and the Ice Cave - book lift tickets in advance at peak season.
- Go early in the day to avoid crowds at the Skywalk and glacier attractions and to secure timed slots for the Ice Cave and guided glacier walks.
Best Time to Visit Hoher Dachstein#
Visit in summer for mountaineering and glacier access, or in winter for snow sports; expect cool to cold conditions year-round at altitude.
Weather & Climate near Hoher Dachstein#
Hoher Dachstein's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 7°C. Abundant rainfall (1953 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -12° - -6° | -19° | 129 mm | overcast | 93% | 9.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -13° - -7° | -20° | 116 mm | overcast | 92% | 8.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| March | Poor | -11° - -6° | -18° | 158 mm | overcast | 87% | 8.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -9° - -4° | -14° | 162 mm | overcast | 81% | 7.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Poor | -4° - 1° | -7° | 160 mm | overcast | 80% | 6.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.9h |
| June | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 194 mm | overcast | 80% | 5.9 m/s | 1.5 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Poor | 2° - 7° | 4° | 211 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 6.0 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 187 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 158 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 6.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -3° - 1° | -8° | 151 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 8.0 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -8° - -3° | -14° | 166 mm | overcast | 90% | 8.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -10° - -5° | -17° | 161 mm | overcast | 91% | 9.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
