Dachstein circular hike – 8 days in UNESCO World Heritage mountains

Hiking Collection by Schladming Dachstein

Tours

48:17 h

84.8 mi

18,325 ft

Breathtaking views, untouched nature and wonderful hiking trails – the Dachstein region is a Mecca for mountain enthusiasts and pleasure hikers alike. The Dachstein circular is the most intensive way to get to know Austria's impressive mountains which are among the most beautiful in the Alps. You will get to know the region over 85 miles (137 km), hiking three to nine hours a day through three federal states (Salzburg, Styria and Upper Austria) and some of the most stunning spots in the Alps, which are UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites.

In this Collection, we guide you along a circular hike in eight stages. You will walk from a towering glacier at 2,700 meters (8,858 feet) down to lakes, with countless scenic highlights in between.

Along the way, you can look forward to hospitality and a warm bed in the rustic huts found en route. Afterall, nothing beats an evening card game after a well-deserved rest at several thousand meters altitude – don't you think?

So pack enough (waterproof) clothing, good shoes and, if you decide on the via ferrata variant for stage 3, remember to bring the necessary equipment. Bring your favourite hiking buddies with you and don't forget to reserve a bed in the various huts before setting off. You can safely leave your car at the Gosause when you arrive as you won't need it for the next few days. All that’s left is to enjoy the great scenery of the Dachstein massif and eight (admittedly sometimes exhausting, but always rewarding) day hikes.

Most of the eight stages can also be tackled individually as day hikes. Some of the starting points can be reached directly by public transport or gondola. Have a look at the route descriptions for more detailed information.

On The Map

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Dachstein Rundwanderung

76.7 mi

17,175 ft

Last updated: November 19, 2021

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 1: Vom Gosausee zur Hofpürglhütte – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
06:14
8.14 mi
1.3 mph
3,575 ft
1,000 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The first section of the Dachstein circular hike takes you from the crystal-clear Vordere Gosausee to the Hofpürglhütte. A tour that will be remembered especially because of its great views of the surrounding mountains and the many rustic huts that invite you to take a break on the way. You need good…
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Etappe 2: Von der Hofpürglhütte zur Dachstein Südwandhütte – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
05:29
7.36 mi
1.3 mph
2,525 ft
1,975 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Aroused with a wonderful view from the Hofpürglhütte and strengthened by an extensive breakfast, the Dachstein circular hike takes you further towards the Dachstein Südwandhütte. Stage 2 takes you on steep climbs up to 2,300 meters above sea level. Because you go to such dizzying heights, you have to…
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Etappe 3: Von der Dachstein Südwandhütte bis zum Guttenberghaus – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
04:50
7.58 mi
1.6 mph
3,500 ft
2,675 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The third stage can be tackled in two different ways. If you have experience with this, on the one hand there is the option of climbing a via ferrata towards the glacier. As an alternative, you can board the Dachstein glacier cable car below the Dachstein south wall hut. If you choose the via ferrata…
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Etappe 4: Vom Guttenberghaus zum Steinerhaus – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
05:35
9.11 mi
1.6 mph
1,375 ft
2,400 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
The fourth stage of the Dachstein circular hike takes you further down from your cozy sleeping place at 2,127 meters in the Guttenberghaus and for the first time back towards the forest and meadows. Since the hike starts high above 2,000 meters, you should have your weatherproof layers on hand as always…
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Etappe 5: Vom Steinerhaus zur Steinitzenalm – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
06:05
11.7 mi
1.9 mph
1,500 ft
4,250 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Stage 5 is the last section of your circular hike, which is connected with steep ascents and descents. It will lead you back towards the valley. On the way - on the Viehbergalm - there are several rustic huts waiting for you. There is even the possibility to spend the night on the Ritzingeralm.

From the…
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Etappe 6: Von der Steinitzenalm nach Hallstatt – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
08:04
18.6 mi
2.3 mph
800 ft
2,300 ft
Ferry
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
On this section of the Dachstein circular hike you can take it easy. On easy trails you hike a little through the forest, pass a lake and finally land by ship in the world-famous Hallstatt. Sturdy shoes and a rain jacket can, as always, be an advantage depending on the weather. Otherwise you do not need…
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Etappe 7: Von Hallstatt nach Bad Goisern – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Intermediate
03:30
8.15 mi
2.3 mph
425 ft
500 ft
Ferry
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
The penultimate of the eight stages around the Dachstein is the shortest of all with a duration of a good three hours. If the temperatures are good, you can take a detour to the bathing jetty and refresh yourself in Lake Hallstatt. But take it easy - the last stage of the circular hike is quite a lot…
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Etappe 8: Von Bad Goisern nach Gosau – Dachstein Rundwanderung
Difficult
08:28
14.2 mi
1.7 mph
4,600 ft
3,150 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
A successful circular hike passes so quickly - you are already at the starting point of the last stage. In the center of Bad Goisern. As always, the same applies this time: rainproof clothing, good shoes and possibly provisions for on the go. But you already know about that.

First of all, it's uphill…
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