Via ferrata

The Dachstein: "El Dorado" of climbing

Overhanging rocks, truly impressive sheer faces, breathtaking views over the Ennstal valley, the mighty Dachstein, bristling with power and yet protective – all this and more can be found in Austria's premier via ferrata area on the Dachstein. You can storm the summit from a total of 14 via ferrate which start in Ramsau am Dachstein. Climbers are rewarded with incredible, long-distance views – to the Czech Republic to the north and Slovenia's Triglav mountains to the south. The most beautiful peaks seem close enough to touch from the "Alpine balcony" (the Dachstein Sky Walk).

Dachstein is a high Alpine paradise for mountain hikers, mountain climbers and rock climbers. Climbing mountains by via ferrata is the safest version of climbing. The route is secured to the rock face with fixed ropes and iron pegs and so even novices can get up close and personal with this fascinating mountain sport, surrounded by sheer rock faces. A wealth of attractive tours are available from the Dachstein Glacier cable car mountain station on the Hunerkogel, at an altitude of 2,700 metres.





new for 2010: up the Dachstein with Anna and Johann
The already comprehensive choice of climbs and walks on the Dachstein has been supplemented by another "iron way". The newly constructed "Anna" (300 metres in altitude, completed in spring 2010) and the popular "Johann" (800 metres in altitude) take you over the shoulder (250 metres in altitude) up to the cross on the Dachstein's summit. From Anna's start (1,800 m) to the summit (2,996 m) you conquer almost 1,200 metres in altitude of Europe's highest vertical drop – on a rope. Twelve more via ferrate and several freeclimbing routes await the summit conquerors, including the classic "Steinerweg", which runs 800 m vertically down the south face!


First via ferrata in the Alps
There is a long tradition of via ferrata on the Dachstein. The oldest via ferrata of all in the Alps (constructed 1843) crosses the rimaye on the Hoher Dachstein. What makes the via ferrate on the Dachstein so popular is the fact that they are for the most part very "recent" and were only erected a few years ago according to the latest techniques. Another plus point is the ease of access using the Dachstein cable car. The rock itself is also known to be perfect climbing rock, offering all degrees of difficulty, from "easy" to "extremely difficult". The view in the direction of Dachstein or the Tauern foothills is impressive during the climb, but at the end of the via ferrata you're rewarded with a superb panorama.


Via Ferrata Festival
Austria's only via ferrata event is held in Ramsau am Dachstein every July. The world's only lit night via ferrata is just one of the attractions at the "Via Ferrata Dachstein" festival www.via-ferrata-dachstein.at.