Hike from Hallstatt to the "Simony hut" Simonyhütte
First of all…
The following hike is a high alpine hiking tour. Mountain experience, stamina, sure-footedness and good preparation are the best prerequisites for a successful and safe day trip. Please do not attempt it wearing sports shoes, normal street shoes or flip-flops! This ensures nothing will get in the way of an adventurous hike. Still have questions? For more safety tips, click here ... And now enjoy reading about this tour.
For the discerning mountain enthusiast
Look forward to a varied mountain tour that takes nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts from Hallstatt's Echerntal valley, past the famous Glacier Garden to the Wiesberghaus and the Simonyhütte. An ascent of about 6 hours. The way back then takes us via the Gjaidalm. If you make the tour a day tour and do not want to spend the night at the Simonyhütte, you should allow for a total walking time of 8 to 10 hours!
From Hallstatt to the Simonyhütte
We start our high alpine day tour at the Hallstatt bus terminal.
Follow the path in the direction of the valley station of the Salzberg cable car, but follow the road of the Echerntalweg. We hike straight ahead on the asphalt road. After about half an hour, one of the first signposts to the Simonyhütte appears. On the so-called "Leiten" and through the Mitterwand tunnel we "spiral" upwards.
Historic ascent
The unique bridle path up to the Simonyhütte leads us through the forest in small serpentines to the “Tiergartenhütte” and on to the Wiesberghaus. It is a well-maintained and completely safe trail that leads well-marked into the glacier region. The ascent takes about three hours.
Small fun fact on the side
Once upon a time, even the Austrian Empress Elisabeth, better known as "Sisi", was carried by so-called chair-bearers to the Dachstein plateau. A shaky affair for everyone involved.
The journey is the reward
From the Wiesberghaus we still have a comfortable 1.5 hours to walk. There is a wonderful view of the entire Dachstein plateau with Krippenstein, Hirlatz, Ochsenkogel, Taubenkogel, Gjaidstein and of course soon also the Dachstein. The mountain pine bushes are becoming fewer and fewer. By the time we get to the steep climb to the Simonyhütte, there is only rock and snowfields that can be seen throughout the summer. After several serpentines cleverly built into the steep rock, you reach the Simony Hut without any danger.
Home of Simony
About 100 metres below the shelter we passed the so-called "Simony Hotel". This emergency accommodation served as a shelter for the great Dachstein researcher Prof. Simony. A few more metres in altitude and we have reached the Simony Hut and the Dachstein Chapel, built in 1914, the highest place of worship in the northern Alpine region. A fantastic view opens up to us of the glacier tongue below and the small glacial lakes of the mighty Dachstein's largest ice field ahead of us, the Hallstatt Glacier.
Unique location at the foot of the glacier
In summer, the ice is shimmering green and grey and shows many cracks, the dreaded crevasses. A trip to the glacier would be worthwhile. In the area of the Simony Hut there is ideal terrain for learning the basic alpine skills of rock and ice climbing. Very many mountain hikers take their first steps towards safe climbing here. Experienced mountain guides are available at the Simony Hut at all times for training or to supervise you. If you don't want to climb the Dachstein this time, it's best to go back the way you came, up to the clearly marked turnoff after about 45 minutes - to the Gjaidalm, which we can reach in three hours.
Way back via the Gjaidalm
The descent is a bit steep at first; we pass many rocks that were worn out by the glacier at the time, including some with embedded ammonites. Various species of gentian and other rare alpine flowers accompany us on the way and compensate us for the exertion. After a steady up and down we reach the Gjaidalm and from there we can take the Dachstein cable car down into the valley to Obertraun. Current operating times can be found below under "Information at a glance".
A bisserl Geschichte: Dachsteinmassiv als Romanvorlage
Bereits der österreichische Dichter Adalbert Stifter (1805 - 1868) wusste die beeindruckende Berglandschaft am Fuße des mächtigen Dachsteinmassivs zu schätzen. Sein Weihnachtsroman, "Bergkristall", die Geschichte zweier Kinder, die sich im winterlichen Bergland verirren, in einer Gletscherspalte übernachten und vom Krachen des Eises wach und damit am Leben gehalten werden, spielt in der schroffen Berglandschaft im Bereich der Simonyhütte. Und auch in seinem Opus "Der Nachsommer" setzt Stifter dieser einzigartigen Naturlandschaft für immer ein Denkmal.
A bit of history: Dachstein massif as the basis for a novel
The Austrian poet Adalbert Stifter (1805 - 1868) already appreciated the impressive mountain landscape at the foot of the mighty Dachstein massif. His Christmas novel, "Bergkristall", the story of two children who get lost in the wintry mountains, spend the night in a crevasse and are kept awake and thus alive by the cracking of the ice, is set in the rugged mountain landscape in the area of the Simony Hut. And Stifter also sets a monument to this unique natural landscape forever in his opus "Der Nachsommer".
Safety Tips for Hikers
Admittedly, the landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut is the absolute pinnacle for hiking fans, mountain enthusiasts and nature lovers—unforgettable tours to incredibly beautiful mountain lodges and meadows, panorama views as far as the eye can see and cherished moments that will last a lifetime! However, you should remember that while hiking you might find yourself in high-alpine terrain. We’ve put together some resources to assist you: how to best prepare for your tour, recommended items for your backpack and steps to take in an emergency situation. Remember to always play it safe and enjoy your hiking adventure in the Salzkammergut!
Warning: Closed trails
Better to know before you go
Hiking trails in the Salzkammergut can be closed for various reasons. To help you prepare for your hike, we have set up a page with current road closures in the region. This will help you get to your destination without any detours or stress. Click here to visit the page...
Hiking opportunities & other huts
Simony hut (Simonyhütte) Hallstatt
Hallstatt / Obertraun | Simonyhütte: Nestled picturesquely at the foot of the Dachstein, with a beautiful view, the refuge is located 2,203m above sea level, amidst the impressive mountains of the Dachstein plateau.
A unique natural jewel: the "Echern Valley" in Hallstatt
Magnificent waterfalls, rushing glacier streams, a stone garden, endless photo motifs - the Echern Valley (in German "Echerntal") invites all nature lovers to discover. And this is only a few minutes' walk from the centre of Hallstatt.
Hike to the Wiesberghaus
Day hike on the high plateau with numerous further hiking options.
From Hallstatt through the Echerntal valley, or by cable car to 1884 m above sea level and through the karst landscape. Really fantastic! Surefootedness and mountain experience required.
Across the karst plateau
The recently established Nature trail on the Dachstein plateau is an important component of the World Heritage Hiking world. This trail travels across the karst plateau and "lures" with pristine high alpine scenery.
Events around this hut
Guided snow shoe tour
Mon, Dec. 30, 2024 09:30 Dachstein-Krippenstein-Cable car, Obertraun
Daily tours through the Ice cave
Thu, May. 1, 2025 Dachstein-Giant-Ice cave, Obertraun
Daily tours through the "Mammut Cave" in Obertraun
Sat, May. 10, 2025 Dachstein-Giant-Ice cave, Obertraun
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Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.