Dachstein Krippenstein at a glance
The Krippenstein is the mountain above Obertraun, at the south end of the Hallstätter See. A cable car in three sections is run by Dachstein Tourismus AG. Section 1 goes from Obertraun to the middle station Schönbergalm, where the caves are. Section 2 continues to the top station at Krippenstein (2,100 m), with 5fingers, the Dachstein shark and the World Heritage Spiral. Section 3 runs on to the Gjaidalm.
The first ride takes 4 to 5 minutes. The operator's FAQ gives roughly 20 minutes for the trip to the top, and the gondolas leave every 15 minutes. It is cooler up there than at the lake, by roughly 10 °C according to one regional guide, so bring a jacket.
Do not confuse it with the Hallstatt Skywalk
Two places share the name "Welterbeblick".
The Welterbeblick at Krippenstein is a viewpoint about five minutes on foot from the top station. The Skywalk above Hallstatt is a different platform, reached by the Salzberg funicular. Both are worth a visit, but they are on opposite sides of the lake. For the second one, read our Skywalk guide. The Dachstein glacier cable car in Ramsau, in Styria, is another operation and not part of the Krippenstein.
Our picks: Dachstein Krippenstein
A private day with the 5fingers and two tickets for the cable car.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Private trip with 5fingers and Gosausee
A private day from Salzburg with the Krippenstein cable car tickets for the 5fingers platform included. Salt mine and Skywalk are not part of it.
Check availability →
Dachstein Krippenstein All-in-One ticket
All three cable car sections for a day plus a guided visit of the Giant Ice Cave and the Mammoth Cave. The operator lists this ticket at €66.20, so the price is about the same.
Check availability →Dachstein Krippenstein panorama ticket
The cable cars up to the Krippenstein and the 5fingers area, without the caves. The operator's own price is €46.70.
Check availability →Dachstein ice cave and 5fingers tours
Guided tours and combined tickets for the caves and the viewing platform, with live prices and availability.
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Dachstein ice cave and Mammoth Cave
Both caves are visited on guided tours only.
| Giant Ice Cave | Mammoth Cave | |
|---|---|---|
| Walk from the middle station | About 20 min | About 15 to 20 min, gravel path |
| Tour length | About 50 min | 50 min |
| Temperature | About −2 °C on average | +3 °C |
| Total time with break | About 2 h | About 2 h |
| Highlights | Ice formations, hanging bridge, light and sound show | More than 60 km explored, almost 1 km open to visitors |
For the Ice Cave you register at the cave ticket desk in the middle station and receive a number and a time. Tours run continuously. A 550-metre educational trail called "550 million years of earth history" leads to the Mammoth Cave, which the operator calls suitable for children of all ages. Wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes. Visitors report many steps in the Ice Cave, so ask at the desk if you have mobility concerns. Dogs may enter the caves.
5fingers, the Welterbespirale and walks at the top
5fingers is a viewing platform above the valley. From the top station it is an easy walk of about 20 to 30 minutes, described by the operator as suitable for children. The platform is open while section 2 runs in summer. In winter you can reach it on snowshoes.
The Welterbespirale is another platform, and the Welterbeblick viewpoint is five minutes from the station. From there it is 10 to 25 minutes to the spiral or to 5fingers. The Dachstein shark is on the Heilbronner circular trail.
The regional FAQ suggests at least 2.5 hours for 5fingers alone, and about 2 hours for each cave including the break.
Dachstein Krippenstein tickets 2026
Summer prices from the operator's single-fare list. The page distinguishes online and ticket-office prices, and the cave ticket is listed at €51.90 at the desk against €50.20 online. The prices below are probably the online ones, so expect a small difference at the till.
| Ticket | Adult | Youth | Child | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panorama (all three sections, no caves) | €46.70 | €42.00 | €25.70 | €44.40 |
| Cave ticket (section 1, Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave) | €50.20 | €45.20 | €27.60 | €47.70 |
| All in One (all sections, both caves) | €66.20 | €59.60 | €36.40 | €62.90 |
| All in One afternoon (one cave only) | €62.20 | €56.00 | €34.20 | €59.10 |
| Koppenbrüller Cave (closed since 27 Sep) | €18.90 | €17.00 | €10.40 | €17.90 |
The afternoon ticket is valid from 12:00 from 1 May to 3 July and from 14 September to 1 November, and from 13:00 from 4 July to 13 September. Family fares for the All in One ticket are €93.50 for one parent with one child and €180.40 for parents with children. A dog costs €11.50 return, on a lead and with a muzzle. Age limits for youth and child fares are not listed here, so check them when you book.
Season dates
Summer operation ends on 1 November 2026, and winter starts on 19 December.
| What | Dates |
|---|---|
| Sections 1 and 2, Ice Cave | 1 May to 1 November 2026, daily |
| Mammoth Cave | 9 May to 1 November 2026 |
| Section 3 | 4 June to 1 November 2026 |
| Koppenbrüller Cave | 1 May to 27 September 2026 (finished) |
| Between 2 Nov and 18 Dec | Partial operation, dates unconfirmed |
| Winter 2026/27 | 19 December 2026 to 29 March 2027 |
In summer the first ascent is at 8:40 and the last ascent for cave tours is at 16:30. Late-season descent times vary, so check the operator's page on the day. In winter the sections run roughly from 8:30 to 16:50, and the lifts from 9:00 to 16:00. The caves appear only on the summer schedule, so assume they are closed in winter, though we found no explicit confirmation. The ski area has a 9 km valley run and about 30 km of freeride routes. Skiing is snow dependent. We could not confirm 2026/27 ski pass prices.
Planning the day and getting there
Start early
Cave tours have fixed slots. If you want both caves and 5fingers, take an early gondola.
By train
The station is Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from Attnang-Puchheim and 48 minutes from Stainach-Irdning. Replacement buses run on the Attnang line until 1 November 2026.
By bus
Lines 543 and 544 stop at Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn, right at the valley station.
From Hallstatt
Bus 543 runs from Hallstatt Lahn to Obertraun. See getting to Hallstatt, or stay in Obertraun itself.
The official sample plan pairs the Salzberg funicular in the morning with the Krippenstein in the afternoon. It dates from before the new funicular, so the timings may differ.
Dachstein Krippenstein: frequently asked questions
How much is the Dachstein Krippenstein ticket?
The All in One ticket with both caves costs €66.20 for adults in summer 2026. The Panorama ticket without caves costs €46.70.
Is the price online or at the ticket office?
The operator lists both. The cave ticket is €50.20 online and €51.90 at the desk, so the figures here are probably online prices. Check at booking.
When is the Dachstein cable car open?
Daily from 1 May to 1 November 2026, first ascent 8:40. The winter season runs from 19 December 2026 to 29 March 2027.
How cold is the Giant Ice Cave?
About −2 °C on average. The Mammoth Cave is around +3 °C. Dress warmly in both.
How long is the walk to 5fingers?
About 20 to 30 minutes from the top station on an easy path, suitable for children.
Can I do both caves and 5fingers in one day?
Yes, if you start early. Plan about 2.5 hours for 5fingers and 2 hours for each cave.