Obertraun at a glance
Obertraun is a small municipality at the southern end of the Hallstätter See. The Dachstein Krippenstein cable car starts here, and so do the routes to the Dachstein caves. The railway station is called Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen, and there is a lido and a boat landing stage on the lake.
Most visitors pass through on the way to the mountain, but it also works as a base. Obertraun lies within the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of Hallstatt, Dachstein and the Salzkammergut.
How to get to Obertraun
Train and bus are the easiest ways in.
By train
Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen is on the Salzkammergutbahn. From Attnang-Puchheim it takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, from Stainach-Irdning about 48 minutes. Hallstatt station lies between Bad Goisern and Obertraun. Until 1 November 2026 replacement buses run between Attnang-Puchheim and Bad Ischl, so allow more time.
By bus
Lines 543 and 544 run from Gosaumühle through Hallstatt Lahn to the stop Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn, which is directly at the cable car valley station. The regional concept from 2020 describes the service as roughly hourly. Check the current timetable.
By car
The road from Hallstatt runs along the lake. In Hallstatt, car parks P3 and P4 lie on this road, about 1.5 km towards Obertraun. Obertraun has paid motorhome pitches. The Seestraße in Hallstatt is under renovation from 5 October 2026 to 25 June 2027.
By boat
See below. In summer a lake boat links Hallstatt and Obertraun.
We could not confirm the walking distance from the station to the cable car, so check on a map. For routes from further away, read getting to Hallstatt.
Our picks: from Obertraun
The cable car tickets start at the valley station in Obertraun.
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 →Tours from Obertraun and Hallstatt
Dachstein cave tickets, cable car combos and lake tours around Obertraun, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Things to do in Obertraun
The main reason to come is the Dachstein Krippenstein, with the Giant Ice Cave, the Mammoth Cave and the 5fingers platform. The summer season runs until 1 November 2026, and winter operation starts on 19 December. Prices, hours and a plan for the day are in our Dachstein guide.
The village itself is small, with a lido, a landing stage and the lake right there. If you stay a night, you start the day at the valley station instead of travelling in.
The lake is the second reason. Obertraun has a lido and a boat landing stage at the "Haus am See". The Hallstätter See is 8.6 km long, up to 2.2 km wide and up to 125 metres deep.
By lake boat between Hallstatt and Obertraun
The south tour runs from May to September. Prices below are from the list valid from 1 January 2025, the latest we found.
| Trip | Adult |
|---|---|
| South tour (round trip from Hallstatt Markt via Lahn and Obertraun to the hanging bridge) | €18 |
| Hallstatt to Obertraun, one way | €12 |
| Bicycle | €9 |
Departures from Hallstatt Markt run several times between late morning and late afternoon. One of them operates only in July and August, and the source does not make clear which, so check the timetable locally or online. Children pay a reduced fare, but the age limit differs between sources (13 or 14), so confirm at the ticket desk. The north tour runs only from 18 July to 16 August.
Walking from Hallstatt towards Obertraun
The east shore path is the family-friendly option.
The east shore trail runs from Bad Goisern or Steeg through Hallstatt to Obertraun. The whole stretch from Steeg or Untersee to Obertraun takes about three hours of walking. We could not confirm the time for Hallstatt to Obertraun alone. A full lap around the lake is about 23.5 km and 7 hours. The Soleleitungsweg on the west shore has been closed for some time because of rockfall.
Staying in Obertraun
A calmer base with a mountain on the doorstep.
| Hallstatt village | Obertraun | |
|---|---|---|
| Cars and camper vans | No access to the centre, parking on P1 to P4, camper vans near P1 | Paid motorhome pitches |
| Cable car | Salzberg funicular, Skywalk | Dachstein Krippenstein |
| Train station | Across the lake, ferry needed | In the village |
The Dormio Resort, with a restaurant, is in the village, and the Lodge am Krippenstein is a mountain hut at the top of the cable car. For general advice, see where to stay.
Obertraun in winter
The cable car becomes a ski lift.
From 19 December 2026 to 29 March 2027 the Krippenstein operates as a ski area, subject to snow. It has a 9 km valley run and about 30 km of freeride routes. Winter walkers can reach the 5fingers platform on snowshoes. The caves are listed only in the summer schedule, so do not count on them in winter. Koppenbrüller Cave closed for the season on 27 September 2026.
Obertraun: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Hallstatt to Obertraun?
By bus 543 or 544 from Hallstatt Lahn, by train from Hallstatt station, or in summer by lake boat for €12 one way (2025 prices).
Is there a train station in Obertraun?
Yes, Obertraun-Dachsteinhöhlen, on the Salzkammergutbahn.
Where is the Dachstein cable car?
The valley station is in Obertraun. The bus stop Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn is directly in front of it.
Can I swim in the lake at Obertraun?
There is a lido (Strandbad) and a boat landing stage at the "Haus am See". Check opening dates locally.
Is Obertraun a good alternative to staying in Hallstatt?
It is quieter and you reach the Dachstein cable car without a bus or car. The Hallstatt village centre is a boat or bus ride away.