Hiking in Austria: The karst nature trail in Obertraun on Lake Hallstatt -

The karst nature trail

History on the top

You set off at the Dachstein cable car station on the Krippenstein. The ascent with the cable car is a delight in itself: you are at eye level with the infinity of the Dachstein plateau. A wide, manageable path takes you via the famed "Heilbronn cross" to the Gjaidalm cable car station. The walking time is approximately three hours.

20 signposted stations tell the story of the evolution of the karst landscape in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt-Dachstein-Salzkammergut. Tip: don`t forget to follow the "Zu den Kuhtrittmuscheln" signpost! A couple of steps further and you will come across rock shelves of priceless geological remnants from a long-gone geological era

Don’t forget to make your mark!

Perpetuate - make your mark. What is the point in a visit to the summit cross without leaving behind an entry in the logbook? You will also find a ‘summit book’ on the top – those who come after you will enjoy reading your entries!

Adventure world for cavers and mountaineering fanatics

Whether you take a short trip with the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car to sunbathe on the vast Gjadalm, or visit the "Lodge am Krippenstein" for the unique panoramic view of the impressive Dachstein mountains - unforgettable mountain moments that can simply not be missed during a holiday in the Salzkammergut! Mountaineers of all ages will find a perfectly marked network of trails and unforgettable nature experiences at over 2,000 m: hiking on the Nature Trail via the Wiesberghaus to Hallstatt, a tour of discovery through the impressive karst landscape on the Heilbronner circular trail or a hike with overnight stay to the Simonyhütte. Many unforgettable sights, such as the spectacular "5fingers" viewing platform, the ship-shaped World Heritage spiral, fascinating cave worlds, or the iconic prehistoric shark, complete the wide range of excursions in the Dachstein hiking world. The mountains are calling - when will you call back?

Tips: Hiking in spring

The days in the Salzkammergut are getting longer. The temperatures are finally getting warmer, more and more hikers are heading to the mountains. But be careful: Especially in spring, there are a few things to consider: There is often still a lot of snow on the mountains, so be careful when crossing snowfields. After winter, you are usually still a bit "rusty", so warm up accordingly in advance and plan your tour carefully. Let your host know the planned route. This can lead to quick help in an emergency. But there's more to consider:

Tips: Hiking in spring

The days in the Salzkammergut are getting longer. The temperatures are finally getting warmer, more and more hikers are heading to the mountains. But be careful: Especially in spring, there are a few things to consider: There is often still a lot of snow on the mountains, so be careful when crossing snowfields. After winter, you are usually still a bit "rusty", so warm up accordingly in advance and plan your tour carefully. Let your host know the planned route. This can lead to quick help in an emergency. But there's more to consider:

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!

More time to enjoy!

To save you unnecessary searching on various websites, we have summarised all relevant information about this tour for you below: contact details, opening times, travel times of cable cars, links to public transport and much more. In this way, you get all the information at a glance and have more time to enjoy the breathtaking mountains of the Salzkammergut.

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