The paradise for extreme sportsmen

 

The amazing cable cart rises above the might south wall of Dachstein over 1000 meters. In a few minutes it takes you to the ski slope open all year round, at the glacier on the elevation of 2700 meters. On a clear day the view from the glacier is simply unbelievable. But you don’t need to take the cable cart to reach the glacier. You can walk the well-marked mountain paths, the ferata, or some of the climbing options. And to reach the cable cart at Türlwandhütte (1700m) you can take a mountain road from Schladming (some 18 kilometres away). So you can get there by car, it’s a popular spot for bikers and you can reach it also by bus. The bus from the valley runs there few times a day regardless which season it is.

The area of Dachstein covers approximately 20 times 30 kilometres and features 10 peaks taller than 2500 meters. The glacier is the biggest in the Northern Alps. The limestone structure also features many caves, among the better known are Mammuthhöhle and Hirlatzhöhle. Both are among the biggest in Austria. The area of Dachstein was along with Salzkammergut placed on the UNESCO natural heritage list in 1997. Dachstein is also famous for many fossil finds, which are still being explored today. The tallest peak Hoher Dachstein (2995 m) was first conquered in 1832 and is the tallest peak of Styria. Today there are so many mountaineers visiting it, they cause a regular traffic jam on the walking paths. The peak is a very popular destination with many great paths leading up to is, making it easy to reach. They also call it the mountain of three lands, as it is on the border of three Austrian lands – Salzburg, Upper Austria and Styria.  A very special and especially popular among climbers is the south wall, which measures 1000 meters. Dachstein is also a popular spot for painters and photographers. Unfortunately the glacier is facing a natural catastrophe since it has shrunk for 20 meters since 2003 and it is predicted to be gone about 80 years in the future.

 

 

The cable cart from the mountain station Hunerkogel, with a modern self-service panoramic restaurant is among the most beautiful overview points in the Eastern Alps. The glacier features around 15 kilometres of skiing slopes and three ski lifts and a two seated cable. There are also 15 kilometres of cross country tracks, where many athletes go to for summer training, when you can’t exercise the sport in the valley. And there are several options for tour skiing on many levels – from extremely difficult to fairly easy ones. Experienced guides lead these tour skiers. Well maintained and marked are also hiking paths and climbing rocks. And you can always hire a guide for any of them.

 

One of the main attractions for tourists, who do not undertake extreme sporting experience, but come to visit the beautiful nature and view, is the visit of the ice palace. Inside the glacier they’ve carved halls, sculptures, and only equipped it with lights – everything else is ice. It really is spectacular, walking along the ice statutes inside ice halls. On the walls you can also learn about the ice itself, as you see different layers of it, from naturally bright and almost clear ice, to very dark ice. There are also five sculptures, who constantly tend to the ice creations by the help of irons and cutting tools.

 

 

The Dachstein, with its high class tourist offer, is a great place for sportsmen and nature lovers of all ages, offering both activities and relaxation at the same time. You can reach the glacier and many peaks all year around and spend time in a idyllic mountain world where all nature lovers will find something spectacular to feed their soul.