What it is
The Krippenstein is a mountain in the Dachstein massif, above Obertraun, on the south shore of Lake Hallstatt. Its cable car, run by Dachstein Krippenstein, climbs in two stages and gives you a whole day with two very different plans: the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave, next to the intermediate station of Schönbergalm, and the 5fingers viewing platform, near the summit, a platform in the shape of an open hand jutting out over a 400 m drop, with Hallstatt and its lake in the distance.
The Giant Ice Cave
It can only be visited with a guide, on tours of 50 minutes. You climb stairs through a narrow passage, the "keyhole", to the level above. On the way you pass through King Arthur's Dome, where cave bear bones have been found; the ice palace and Parsifal's Dome; the "great ice mountain", a mass of more than 9 m; the Grail castle bell, which changes colour with the light; Tristan's Dome and the great ice chapel, and a 30 m chasm crossed by a suspension bridge. The ice is lit and accompanied by music.
Registration is compulsory, including for those going independently: it is done at the cave ticket office in Schönbergalm, on a first-come basis. Only on a special tour, with a supplement, do you get a fixed time. The cave opened in 2026 from 1 May to 1 November and always closes in winter; the 2027 season has not yet been published.
The 5fingers
The platform has five "fingers" of about 4 × 1 m, each one different: one is all glass and another carries a large Baroque frame to frame Hallstatt, a World Heritage site. From the top station you get there in about 20 or 30 minutes on an easy trail. There is a camera that takes souvenir photos, which you collect at the Krippenstein station. Higher up, the Pioneers' Cross has another viewpoint, and above the Lodge am Krippenstein you can see the Dachstein glacier.
Getting there
The valley station is in Obertraun. In summer you can come from Hallstatt on the southern lake tour boat, which stops at Obertraun. Tickets are bought at the ticket office or in the Dachstein Salzkammergut online shop, with a reduced price online; the Dachstein Salzkammergut ticket includes six summer cable cars in the region.
How long
A whole day if you do both: cable car, the cave with the wait for your slot, the second stage, the walk to the 5fingers and the way back. Leave a margin to get back to the cable car.
With children
The company says the cave is suitable for all ages, and the path to the 5fingers is easy. Wrap little ones up well inside the cave, and keep an eye on them on the platform.
