Dachstein
The Dachstein cable car climbs a near-vertical rock face to a glacier plateau stocked with engineered thrills: a skywalk platform bolted over a 250-metre cliff, a suspension bridge, a 'stairway to nothingness' descending fourteen glass steps into pure air, and an ice palace carved inside the glacier.
- Best forWalkers & hikers · Photographers · Couples
- In August10°C · 19 rainy days
- Ideal stay3-4 nights
- Approx. flying time~12h 10m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageGerman
- Local time12:151h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+43
Why go
The Dachstein massif rises straight out of the Salzkammergut lake district, its glacier plateau reachable by cable car in minutes from a valley still dotted with hay barns and dairy farms. Below the glacier, the Dachstein Caves add another layer: vast ice formations and limestone chambers open for tours in summer. The region is as much about the villages, Hallstatt, Obertraun and Gosau, as the mountain itself, each looking out over its own lake.
A stay here suits a short, activity-packed break rather than a full week: two or three days covers the glacier plateau, a lake or two and a caving tour, with time left for the classic Hallstatt view. Summer is busiest and warmest for hiking; winter brings skiing on the glacier and a quieter, snowier version of the same views. It's an easy add-on to Salzburg, under an hour and a half away by road.
- Ideal stay
- 3-4 nights
- The vibe
- Dramatic, alpine, postcard-pretty
From our guides
All are included with the ascent. Combine it with the Hallstatt area, forty minutes away, for an overachieving single day.
Featured in Ten epic cable-car days with zero hiking required
Things to do
-
Dachstein Skywalk
A viewing platform cantilevered over a 250-metre drop, reached directly from the glacier cable car and not for the faint-hearted.
-
Stairway to Nothingness
Fourteen glass steps descending into open air above the valley floor, not for anyone unsteady with heights but a memorable few minutes.
-
Dachstein Ice Caves
Vast chambers of ancient ice and limestone formations, explored on guided tours through the mountain that take around an hour.
-
Hallstatt
A lakeside village of timber houses stacked against the mountainside, one of the region's most photographed views and busiest by midday.
-
Gosausee
A glacier-fed lake with the Dachstein's peak reflected across its still, clear water, ringed by an easy lakeside walking path.
-
Five Fingers platform
A star-shaped lookout jutting from the cliff edge above Hallstatt, reached by a separate cable car from the valley floor.
Getting there
-
Fly to
Salzburg (SZG)
Nearest airport to Dachstein, about 57km away as the crow flies.
-
Then
To Ramsau am Dachstein
About an hour and a half by car from Salzburg (SZG), south east through the Ennstal to Ramsau am Dachstein.
-
On the ground
Getting around
The cable car leaves from the car park high above Ramsau, reached by car or the local ski bus; everything on the plateau is a short walk from the top station.
Public transport: Trains reach Schladming with buses up to Ramsau and the valley station, though services thin out in the evening.
Flights
Los Angeles Dachstein, Austria
Fly from anywhere — search 4,000+ airports worldwide.
Roughly 12h 10m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
Check dates and prices
Pick your departure date, then your return.
Search flightsNot sure when? Compare fares across a whole month.
Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about -10°C in January to 10°C in July. Driest in October and November; wettest in May, with rain on about 22 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
August10° · rain 19 daysCold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Gasthöfe, farm pensions and mid-size alpine hotels, plus apartments and mountain huts. Half board is standard and good value; international chains barely exist here.
-
Best base overall
Ramsau am Dachstein
A high sunny terrace of farms and guesthouses directly below the cable car, with cross-country trails everywhere. It is scattered along one long road, so check how far your room is from anything.
Find stays in Ramsau am Dachstein -
Best value
Schladming
The valley town fifteen minutes below, with hotels, shops, bars and a train station. Livelier and cheaper, but you are looking up at the view rather than sitting in it.
Find stays in Schladming -
Best with children
Filzmoos
A gentle village on the other side of the massif with nursery slopes and easy walks. Small ski area, and limited public transport.
Find stays in Filzmoos -
Closest to the sights
Hallstatt and Obertraun
On the lake at the northern foot of the Dachstein, near the ice caves and the other cable car. Hallstatt is overwhelmed by day visitors, so Obertraun is the calmer bed.
Find stays in Hallstatt and Obertraun
Worth knowing before you book: Ski weeks over Christmas and February book out by autumn, and many guesthouses close between the seasons in April and November.
Search everything else in Ramsau am Dachstein by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Salzburg is the nearest airport, with a drive of around ninety minutes to the Dachstein villages.
- Book ahead
- The cable car and cave tours get busy in July and August, so buy tickets in advance where possible.
- Pack this
- Warm layers are needed year-round on the glacier plateau, even on hot summer days in the valley.
- Timing
- The Ice Caves and cable cars typically operate from spring to autumn, with reduced winter access.
- Crowds
- Hallstatt's main square is heavily visited by day-trippers; early morning or evening gives a quieter version of the village.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Hallstatt
Austria · 7km away →
Berchtesgaden National Park
Germany · 52km away →
Bad Gastein
Austria · 55km away →
Salzburg
Austria · 55km away →
Zell am See
Austria · 63km away →
Saalbach
Austria · 73km away →Elsewhere in Austria
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Dachstein?
Daytime highs run from about -10°C in January to 10°C in July. Driest in October and November; wettest in May, with rain on about 22 days.
How long should I spend in Dachstein?
Our suggestion: 3-4 nights.
How do I get to Dachstein?
About an hour and a half by car from Salzburg (SZG), south east through the Ennstal to Ramsau am Dachstein.
Do I need a car in Dachstein?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. Trains reach Schladming with buses up to Ramsau and the valley station, though services thin out in the evening.
What currency and language are used in Dachstein?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: German. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Dachstein best for?
Best for walkers & hikers, photographers and couples. In a phrase: dramatic, alpine, postcard-pretty.