Hiking to Austria’s Five Fingers Viewing Platform Near Hallstatt

Headed to Hallstatt soon and planning to visit the Five Fingers in Austria?! Here’s everything you need to know about a winter visit to this stunning alpine viewing platform!

After seeing just one photo of Hallstatt in winter all those years ago (yes, it’s held a permanent spot on my pinterest board for almost a decade), I knew I had to experience its magic for myself. Was Hallstatt everything I dreamed up and more? Yup – but so were the nearby Dachstein 5 Fingers!

Imagine soaring up the cable car to sky-high peaks. Breathing in that crisp mountain air. Stepping onto the thrilling Five Fingers viewing platform. Admiring the vast landscape below with miles and miles of snowy mountain peaks and glittering alpine lakes. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and a view I’ll never forget.

To be completely honest, I wrote this post primarily to show off all the beautiful photos I took. Can you blame me?! But of course it’s me we’re talking about, so naturally this became an extremely wordy article on everything about the Five Fingers in Austria, haha.

And good thing, because hardly anything I read about winter in Hallstatt (or even Hallstatt in general) mentioned the Dachstein Five Fingers and that whole area. Why?! I have no clue — it was by far the best thing we did in the entire region, haha.

It didn’t hurt that we had nearly perfect conditions and were desperately wishing for some snow. Who would’ve guessed we got none in London, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, or Bruges – so much for a snowy winter trip to Europe!

About the Five Fingers Viewing Platform in Austria

The Dachstein Five Fingers is easily one of the most picturesque viewpoints in the entire Dachstein region. Expect views of the surrounding snowy Alps and the stunning Hallstatt area (including Dachstein Glacier, Hallstatt Lake, and the surrounding valleys) – all easily accessed via cable car! But it’s not for the faint of heart – I mean, the platform juts out over the edge of the mountain at 2,700 meters!

And why’s it called the “5 fingers”?! Because it resembles an outstretched hand with five “fingers”! Each finger is slightly different:

Glass Floor Finger: This finger has a transparent glass floor, allowing you to look straight down to the valley 400 meters below. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s an incredible way to get an up-close view of the drop. Note that it gets EXTREMELY slippery in the winter, so just FYI (we both almost slipped a few times). Hold onto the side as you’re walking on it!

Picture Frame Finger: Kinda cheesy, but I love how the photo of us turned out, haha (although we really should’ve stood behind it). It’s designed to frame the stunning views, with the majestic Alps and Hallstatt Lake creating a natural masterpiece behind you.

Telescope Finger: Equipped with a telescope, this finger allows you to get a closer look at the distant peaks and the Hallstatt village far below.

Jumpboard: For the paragliders! I didn’t understand why one had what looked like a diving board… but then I researched and learned it’s for paragliding, haha. Imagine jumping off that platform…

The 5th one has grates and appears to be just for walking and looking out, but I’m sure there’s a purpose I’m not understanding….

Where are the Dachstein 5 Fingers?

The Dachstein Five Fingers are located in the Dachstein mountains, but you probably could’ve told me that (if you’ve heard of them before… which I had not before visiting Austria, haha).

More specifically, the 5 Fingers are located in Dachstein Krippenstein (an area of the Dachstein mountains), famous for its ski resort, Ice Cave, Dachstein Shark, and of course the 5 Fingers viewing platform.

You’ll find this in the Upper Austrian part of the Dachstein range in a small town called Obertraun. And luckily for all of us, it’s only a few minutes away from Hallstatt – meaning it’s super easy to visit from the popular village (what most people do, including us).

How to Get to the Dachstein Five Fingers Viewing Platform

If you’re already in Hallstatt (lucky you!), it’s pretty simple to get there.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to hike all the way up the mountain to the Five fingers in Austria. That’d just be impossible in the snow and most likely take a few days, haha. Thankfully, there’s a cable car that’ll take you 95% of the way there. I’ve outlined the steps below (bus, cable car, and then short hike) in detail.

And boy oh boy are both the cable car and hike absolutely epic. Almost as impressive as the actual 5 Fingers viewpoint itself.

Step 1: Bus Route 543

From Hallstatt, take Bus 543 (Obertraun Dachstein Seilbahn) to Dachstein Krippenstein. The bus stop in Hallstatt is in front of the supermarket (in the lower part of the city) and buses come every 45-60 minutes or so (check the schedule in advance). Bus tickets are inexpensive, less than €3 per person each way, and the drive only takes about 15 minutes. The bus drops you off right in front of the cable car ticket office – super convenient!

Then you’ll need to take the cable car up the mountain, and finally a 30 minute scenic hike through the snow.

Plan to take the 544 bus route back.

Step 2: Cable car up the mountain

Buy your ticket (you’ll want a panorama ticket in order to hike/snowshoe to the Five Fingers), and then up the cable car you go! Find the official website here with cable car schedules and pricing. You can opt for a combo ticket in the summer (to visit the ice cave), but it’s closed in the winter.

I couldn’t stop taking photos as we were traveling up through the rugged mountain terrain to the top of the glacier. So many majestic peaks and lush valleys below – the views got more impressive the higher we got!

Note that you’ll be sharing a cable car with plentyyyy of your closest friends, haha (the cable car cabin is way larger than I imagined, kinda like the one in Jackson Hole, Wyoming we visited in winter). Yes, it’ll be crowded, and you’ll most likely be in the cable car with a bunch of skiers and all their equipment as well. Aim to stand on the outer edge so you can see the changing landscape and take photos of course.

Psst – get off the cable car at the second stop – Mountain Station Krippenstein (Section 2). It takes about 20 minutes or so to reach.

Step 3: Hike to the Five Fingers in Austria

Once at the summit, the hike takes about 30 minutes each way. I promise you it’s worth it – even in chilly (okay, more like freezing cold) conditions like we had. We actually passed by the World Heritage Spiral (Welterbespirale) on our walk to the Five Fingers, which we weren’t expecting!

And wow oh wow, our entire walk was absolutely GORGEOUS. We were so high up in the Austrian Alps and trekking right on the mountain – views were outta this world. I could’ve cried, it was so gorgeous. DO NOT MISS THIS ON YOUR WINTER TRIP TO HALLSTATT. I repeat, do not miss this.

Note that we actually walked to the Five Fingers viewing platform without snowshoes and were totally fine in snow boots (it was kinda slippery in some spots though), but you can rent snowshoes as part of your cable car ticket if you’d like.

The hike itself is pretty easy, although there’s definitely some slight elevation gain. The route is well-marked and semi-maintained in winter, making it accessible for most hikers. I always recommend sturdy footwear and warm clothing due to the mountain conditions.

Did I say how stunning the entire hike is? On par with the views from the 5 fingers viewing platform.

When to Go to the Dachstein Mountains

Any time is a great time to visit Hallstatt and the neighboring mountains.

As evidenced by our photos, we went in the smack dab of winter! The mountain will be completely covered in snow and ice from roughly November to March – which we just loved. The views were especially stunning with all the snow-covered peaks (such a magical, serene landscape). BUT it gets dark way earlier, so ultimately less time to enjoy the mountain.

With that being said, the mountain is an entirely different experience depending what time of year you visit. If you prefer a snow-free experience, summer is the time to go. Hiking will be way easier (as you’ll be walking on clear paths instead of snow and ice), and it’s basically a lush alpine paradise.

Think meadows bursting with wildflowers and a dramatic contrast between the vibrant greens of the landscape and the rugged mountain peaks – swoon! Kinda sounds like Switzerland to me! Plus, you can also visit the Ice Cave which is closed in winter.

Note that strong winds are possible anytime of year; these are the mountains we’re talking about – weather is unpredictable. Also, if there’s low clouds, the views will undoubtedly be impacted; plan to either wait it out or check the webcam in advance before heading up.

How long to spend at Dachstein Krippenstein?

Give yourself at least a few hours on the mountain, and longer if you wanna ski and/or snowshoe all the way to the Dachstein shark (it takes about 2 ½ hours roundtrip).

We were kinda short on time (we had just arrived mid-day from Cesky Krumlov), so our visit was a tad rushed, but it was still absolutely breathtaking and well worth the trip.

Overview of the Cable Car Stops and Trails

The Krippenstein cable car takes visitors from the valley up to the mountain area. And once you make it up the cable car, there’s plenty to keep you busy. As noted, we opted to do some winter hiking on the Five Fingers snowshoe trail, but there’s also skiing and more panoramic views.

The cable car makes three stops on its way up the mountain:

Stop 1: giant ice cave (closed in winter)
Stop 2: skiing and trails to Five Fingers and Dachstein Shark
Stop 3: panoramic views and longer hiking trails

At stop 2, there’s three signposted and groomed snowshoe winter hiking trails.

Trail No. 1: World Heritage Spiral (easy, ~30 minutes round trip)
Trail No. 2: Five Fingers (easy, ~1 hour round trip)
Trail No. 3: Dachstein Shark (easy to moderate, ~2.5 roundtrip)

Safety Considerations and Tips for Your Hike to the Dachstein Five Fingers

Check weather conditions: Before heading out, check the weather forecast for the day. The weather in the mountains can change rapidly, and visibility can be poor in fog or snow. It’s best to avoid hiking in severe weather conditions. Never take a chance – your life is more important than anything.

Dress appropriately: It’s chilly up here y’all! Wear layers of warm, moisture-wicking clothing to not only stay comfortable, but also to manage sweat and retain body heat. Temps typically drop significantly at higher altitudes, so be prepared for cold weather. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good traction will be a huge help, but we wore our everyday snow boots and were just fine (granted it was a tad slippery).

Bring essentials: Carry a small backpack with essentials such as water, snacks, a map, a first-aid kit, and a fully charged cell phone. I also recommend slathering on the sunscreen beforehand (the sun is stronger at higher altitudes!) and of course sunglasses since when the sun reflects off the snow it’s super hard to see! Chapstick will be a lifesaver as well – no one likes dry, cracked lips.

Follow marked trails: Just stick to the designated hiking paths and follow the trail markers. While some parts of the trail weren’t as obvious, we tried our best to stay on the marked routes. This is especially important in snowy or icy conditions, like it’ll be when hiking to the Five Fingers in the dead of winter.

Stay hydrated and energized: The dry mountain air can lead to dehydration more quickly than you might expect. Drink water regularly throughout your hike, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Psst – it’s best to avoid caffeine and alcohol before and during the hike, as they can increase dehydration. And bring along some high-energy snacks, like trail mix, nuts, granola bars, and dried fruit. There’s some for purchase at the cable car station, but not tons.

Hike in daylight: Hate to break it to ya, but the sun sets exceptionally early in the winter, as early as 4:30pm. Make sure you start your hike with plenty of daylight left. Plus, you gotta catch the last cable car down (check the schedule beforehand!).

Other info and FAQs about the Dachstein Five Fingers

Can I visit the Five fingers in Austria as a day trip from Hallstatt? Certainly – the bus from Hallstatt to the base of the cable car only takes 15 minutes, haha!

How hard is the hike to the 5 fingers in Austria? The hike itself isn’t too hard, and I’d say it’s manageable for most hikers with a moderate level of fitness. The thing that gets you is the altitude and cold – so just prepare for that. The hike from the cable car station to the Five Fingers platform typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours roundtrip. There’s a few short uphill sections, rocky paths, and uneven terrain, but it was all covered in snow… so… we were just walking on packed snow the entire time, haha.

What is the altitude of the five fingers? The Dachstein 5 Fingers is located at an altitude of approximately 2,700 meters (8,860 feet) above sea level, which is actually quite high, and on par with that of Machu Picchu and higher than Denver, Colorado and Mexico City! Some people have a harder time hiking at higher altitudes, so take it slow and rest if you need to acclimatize for a bit. And drink a lot of water!!!

What can you see from the Five Fingers viewing platform? From this vantage point, visitors can marvel at the snow-capped peaks of the Dachstein range, vast glaciers, and sparkling alpine lakes. On clear days, the view stretches across the Austrian and Czech Republic landscapes, making the Dachstein 5 Fingers a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers like myself.

How crowded is it? We didn’t find it very crowded on the trail at all when we visited in the winter (the cable car was still full though!). However, expect it to be quite crowded during peak tourist seasons, especially in summer (June to August) and fall (September to October).

What to wear and bring: Wear sturdy hiking boots or snow boots with good traction, and dress in layers to adjust to changing temps. Don’t forget to pack essentials like a windproof jacket, plenty of water, snacks, and sun protection, as well as a camera to capture the views of course!

Dachstein 5 Fingers vs. Hallstatt Skywalk

The Dachstein 5 Fingers are NOT the same thing as the Hallstatt Skywalk. I was super confused at first, as they’re both alpine viewing platforms with stunning views in/near Hallstatt. These last few photos are of the Hallstatt Skywalk so you can see the difference.

To be quite honest, they’re extremely different experiences. You need to bus to the cable car and then take a short snowy hike up to reach the Dachstein 5 Fingers, while the Hallstatt Skywalk is reached by a simple funicular from town, making it way more accessible.

I’d say the views at the five fingers are more impressive (think panoramic views of jagged mountain ranges and deep valleys), but the views of the picturesque lake and charming village from the skywalk are stunning too. Just different.

With that being said, if you have the time, do both! That’s what we did!

That’s everything you need to know about snowshoeing up to the 5 fingers in Austria in winter! Are you planning a trip to the Hallstatt area soon?!