Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE DACHSTEIN CAVES & MOUNTAINS
Planning the Day
To view one or both caves and the 5Fingers viewing platform (about 15 minutes by foot from the Krippenstein
station), allow a whole day, setting off from the valley cable-car station around 10am. Take the cable car up to
the first stop (Schönbergalm) by noon or earlier, and register at the information desk for the cave tours. Do the
Mammuthöhle first, and allow 30 to 45 minutes to reach the Dachstein Eishöhle from there afterwards. If you
only have time to see one cave, we recommend the Dachstein Eishöhle.
Over two days you can view one or both of the caves and the 5Fingers viewing platform, and also take the fi-
nal section of the cable car to Gjaid Alm station, drop by the Gjaid Alm meadow hut, and explore the area on
walks or hike back down to the valley.
Discounts
There are various combined tickets and deals, including a ticket for all sections of the cable car and the caves in
summer (return adult/child €40/23). Check them out at the valley station.
Winter Skiing
In winter Krippenstein is a ski and snowboard free-riding area (day pass costs €32). The cable car begins service
in December, depending on completion of maintenance and snow conditions; it usually ends around Easter. Ad-
vanced cross-country ski hiking is also possible on the mountain. For downhill skiers, the best piste is an 11km
downhill run beginning at Krippenstein and going via Gjaid Alm station to the valley station. Hold onto your
hat!
Staying & Eating on the Peaks
Gjaid Alm
( 06131-596;
www.gjaid.at
;
s/d incl half-board €46/92; closed May & Nov; ) is set
in a rocky hollow replete with grazing cattle and horses, an easy 10-minute walk from the cable-car station.
Rooms are bright, heated and very comfortable. They're furnished in light woods and offer views through the
windows to the meadow. Remove your shoes before climbing the stairs. All dishes in the restaurant (daily mains
€10) are prepared with organic ingredients. Regular meditation, climbing and qigong courses are held here.
Sleeping & Eating
Campingplatz Hinterer
(
CAMPGROUND
€
265;
www.camping-am-see.at
; Winkl 77; camp sites per adult/child/tent/car €10.50/7/8/3;
May-Sep;
)
This informal, grassy campground is by the lake south of the river.
Hotel Haus am See
( 26 777;
www.hotel-hausamsee.at
;
Obertraun 169; s/d €46/90; )
Situated conveniently alongside
the boat station and swimming area, this no-frills hotel has lots of clean rooms with bal-
conies and views over the lake. Only some rooms have wi-fi.
HOTEL
€€
