Dachstein Krippenstein is a mountain resort above Obertraun featuring caves, viewing points and walking trails at an altitude of around 2,100 metres.

You can plan your trip as a short excursion to enjoy the views, a half-day visit to one of the caves, or a full-day programme combining the caves with a hike to the summit.

In the end, I opted for a visit to the caves, a short walk around the summit and a visit to the famous 5 Fingers viewpoint.

But to be honest, I could easily imagine spending two days hiking in the mountains here.

A beautiful place!

Book a cable car ticket

How does the Krippenstein cable car work?

The cable car starts on the outskirts of Obertraun and is divided into three sections:

• Section 1: Obertraun – Schönbergalm
• Section 2: Schönbergalm – Krippenstein
• Section 3: Krippenstein – Gjaid

At the Schönbergalm intermediate station, passengers alight to visit the Giant Ice Cave and the Mammoth Cave.

If you’re heading for the 5 Fingers viewpoint or the summit of Krippenstein, change here to the second section of the cable car.

The third section to the Gjaid intermediate station is mainly used for longer hikes across the Dachstein plateau. From the summit of Krippenstein, it continues downwards and offers no further views.

Personally, we haven’t used the third section. The best views and the starting point for the routes are at the summit of Krippenstein, where the second section of the cable car ends.

The individual cable cars run every 15 minutes.

The journey time for each section is roughly the same, taking between 6 and 8 minutes.

The cabins are usually fully occupied and almost all spaces are standing room only.

What to see at the summit of Krippenstein

Most places are within walking distance of the top station of the second section of the cable car:

• World Heritage Spiral – a panoramic viewing platform about 15 minutes from the cable car
• 5 Fingers – five viewing platforms about 20 to 30 minutes from the cable car
• Pionierkreuz – a cross above the 5 Fingers viewing point
• Heilbronner Rundwanderweg – a 3-hour walking route to the terminus of the third section at Gjaid
• Dachstein Shark – an eight-metre-tall metal sculpture on the Heilbronner Rundwanderweg, 35 minutes from the cable car

For a short visit, combine the World Heritage Spiral and 5 Fingers. The whole walk, including taking photos, takes 1½ to 2 hours.

If you really want to go for a walk in the mountains, set off on the Heilbronner Rundwanderweg. This easy route leads through karst countryside past the Dachstein Shark and ends at the terminus of the third section of the Gjaid cable car.

Cable car and ticket prices: is booking essential?

You can buy several types of tickets and admission passes.

You can find the exact age categories and current ticket prices on the official website.

Online booking is not compulsory, but the price is roughly 1,50 eur lower than when buying at the ticket office.

However, there is no limit on the number of seats, so if you don’t want to save money, you can buy your tickets at the ticket office.

• Dachstein Panorama Ticket for adults: 46,70 eur
• Dachstein Panorama Ticket for a child: 25,70 eur
• Dachstein Cave Ticket for adults: 50,20 eur
• Dachstein Cave Ticket for a child: 27,60 eur
• Dachstein All-in-One Ticket for adults: 66,20 eur
• Dachstein All-in-One Ticket for a child: 36,40 eur

Tickets can be purchased on the official websiteor via GetYourGuide for the same price. We partner with GetYourGuide, so by purchasing through them you’ll be supporting our website; however, in this case, you’ll need to exchange your online ticket for a physical ticket at the ticket office.

The Panorama Ticket includes a return journey on all three sections of the cable car and is ideal for 5 Fingers, the viewing points and hiking.

• 👉 Buy the Panorama-Ticket

The All-in-One Ticket includes all three cable car sections and a tour of both caves. It’s good value for a full-day visit, but the itinerary is quite packed and there won’t be much time left for a longer hike.

• 👉 Buy an All-in-One Ticket

The Cave Ticket includes only the first section of the cable car and entry to both the Giant Ice Cave and the Mammoth Cave. If you want to continue to the summit and the 5 Fingers, this ticket is not sufficient.

Opening hours and how much time you’ll need

The summer season runs from 1 May to 1 November. The first cable car departs at 8.40 am, with subsequent services every 15 minutes.

The last cable car down from Krippenstein leaves at 7.00 pm during the main summer season, and at 5.00 pm in spring and autumn. Services may run later at weekends.

Approximate time for a visit:

• Summit and 5 Fingers only: 2 to 3 hours
• One cave and the summit: 4 to 6 hours
• Both caves and the summit: a full day
• Heilbronner Rundwanderweg without the caves: 5 hours, including cable cars

Before setting off, please check the current opening times for the individual sections.

Weather and clothing

The weather on the Krippenstein can be completely different to that down by Lake Hallstatt.

Even on a warm summer’s day, it’s a good idea to bring a jumper or a light jacket. It’s often windy on the open plateau and the weather can change quickly.

If the summit is shrouded in low-lying clouds, the views are lost. The caves at the Schönbergalm intermediate station, on the other hand, offer a good alternative when visibility is poor.

Sturdy trainers are sufficient for shorter walks to the viewpoints. For the Heilbronner Rundwanderweg, I would opt for hiking boots.

Restaurants and toilets on the Krippenstein

At all cable car stations (the lower station, the middle station by the caves, the summit station, and the Gjaidu station), you’ll find bistros and traditional restaurants.

Everywhere offers a standard menu featuring goulash soup, chips, sausages, salads, pasta and desserts. You can also pay by card without any problems at all of these venues.

Clean, free toilets are available at all cable car stations.

At the lower cable car station, you’ll find free lockers for storing your luggage.

How to get to the cable car

The lower station is located in Obertraun at Winkl 34.

By bus

Bus route 543 runs from the Hallstatt Lahn or Gosaumühlebus terminals to the cable car once an hour.

Bus 544 runs back to Hallstatt. The journey takes about 10 minutes and the Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn stop is situated directly in front of the lower station.

By car

There is a large car park right next to the cable car. All-day parking from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm costs 5 eur, with the first hour free of charge.

The car park operates without tickets and automatically reads your number plate on entry.

You can pay at the pay machine near the cable car (you must enter your car’s registration number) or via the EasyPark mobile app, for example.

Where to stay near Krippenstein

Obertraun is a more practical base for this trip than the centre of Hallstatt. You can get to the cable car more quickly, and accommodation tends to be cheaper.

• Landhaus Lilly is situated in a quiet part of Obertraun, about a 15-minute walk from the cable car’s lower station.
• For families or larger groups, the Dormio Resort Obertraun is a good choice, offering apartments and chalets, an indoor swimming pool and a location close to Lake Hallstatt.

Find accommodation in Obertraun

Is it worth staying high up in the mountains?

There are two fully equipped mountain hotels right on the Krippenstein (private rooms with en-suite bathrooms).

• Lodge am Krippenstein – superb views, situated directly below the highest point of Krippenstein at an altitude of around 2,100 metres
• Gjaid-Alm – a significantly cheaper mountain hut situated in the Gjaid saddle at an altitude of over 1,700 metres, offering a great starting point for hiking

In my opinion, accommodation in the mountains is ideal for those who want to do a lot of trekking or walk along via ferratas.

I, for one, could easily spend two nights here.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Hallstatt.