A high plateau like another planet right in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Breathtaking viewing platforms, spectacular cave worlds, and a high plateau that feels like stepping onto another planet: Dachstein Krippenstein in the Salzkammergut is the perfect destination for a family outing to discover a whole new mountain world and take in the UNESCO World Heritage site from the Dachstein massif to Lake Hallstatt in one sweep.
Up the mountain by cable car to adventure
The moment the cable car lifts off and glides above the treetops, you can feel the joyful flutter in your stomach. The ascent is swift, and if you look closely, you can already spot the first caves in the rugged cliffs.
Discover adventurous cave worlds
A stop at the Schönbergalm mid-station is a must. Here you’ll find not only the Schönbergalm Nature Park with its museum, children’s adventure cave and alpine floor kick, but also the entrance to the spectacular Dachstein cave worlds. The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave captivates with its massive ice formations, spectacular light and sound show, cave bears Ben and Boris, and a 35-metre-long suspension bridge. The nearby Mammoth Cave, with its extensive labyrinth, invites you on an exciting journey into the depths of the mountain.
On warm summer days, the caves offer a wonderfully cool retreat. Be sure to bring warm clothes, as temperatures in the Dachstein Ice Cave rarely rise above freezing.
Rock Wonderland
The moment the cable car doors open, it feels like you’ve just discovered a new world: endless space, mysterious karst rocks and bizarre formations that look like they belong to another galaxy. What lies up here is natural science you can touch: raw, authentic and full of stories. The Dachstein massif with its glaciers seems within reach, just like the deep blue Hallstatt Lake sparkling down in the valley.
After about a 30-minute walk, you reach the famous 5fingers viewing platform. Like a giant hand, it stretches out into the landscape. The view gives you goosebumps. Those who are brave step all the way out to the edge. Everyone else stays a few steps back but is no less amazed.
The World Heritage Spiral
Just about a 15-minute walk from the Krippenstein cable car station, the World Heritage Spiral rises into the sky. The silver shining structure twists upwards in a futuristic way and offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Right below, cosy loungers invite you to sit back and relax. It’s the perfect spot to catch your breath, soak in the views and enjoy a leisurely picnic.
Austria’s only mountain shark
The silvery Dachstein shark is a real eye catcher on the plateau. Big, playful and wonderfully photogenic. At the same time, it reminds us that millions of years ago a tropical sea covered this area. It is definitely worth taking the camera out again for a memorable photo. Where else can you find a metal shark over 2,000 meters high and even climb inside it?
