Schladming-Dachstein

The Schladming-Dachstein region is located in Styria and is best known for its Dachstein Glacier, which sits at an altitude of 2,700 m and is part of the highest mountain in Styria. Take in a spectacular view and let yourself be amazed by this dreamlike natural backdrop. Look out over the beautiful mountain ranges of Austria, all the way to the mountain peaks of the Czech Republic. A destination you definitely won't forget any time soon.

Exciting activities

Schladming-Dachstein offers a range of fascinating experiences. These are found around the Dachstein Glacier and the Dachstein massif and promise plenty of variety. Book yourself a seat on the Dachstein Glacier Cable Car or explore the Dachstein Suspension Bridge. Also worth seeing are the Dachstein Stairway to Heaven and the Stairway to Nothingness. The Ice Palace and the Skywalk are also mentioned as special highlights.

Dachstein Glacier Cable Car

The Dachstein Glacier Cable Car promises you a wonderful view on the way to the Dachstein massif. Float high above the ground and get closer than ever before to the highest mountain in Styria. The fully glazed panoramic gondola gives you the unforgettable opportunity to catch an incredible glimpse of the imposing mountain and feel as if you're in another world.

Tip: If you want to make sure you don't miss out on this experience, you can book your gondola spot in advance. Tickets can be found on the Schladming-Dachstein website. Please note that the road to the Dachstein Glacier Cable Car is subject to a route toll (also called a special toll). If you take the cable car, you are exempt from the fee for using the Dachstein road. To do so, you must validate your toll ticket at the Dachstein mountain station. However, if you do not take a ride on the cable car, you will have to pay the special toll. You can find more information on the Dachstein road in our guide.

Dachstein Stairway to Heaven

But it's not only the cable car that promises you a unique view — so does the Dachstein Stairway to Heaven. Follow the twelve steps up to a glass platform. This platform allows you to look far into the depths and distance, offering a spectacular view of the Dachstein. Don't forget to take a picture for the ages at this unique location! And one more small tip: for a visit to the Stairway to Heaven, good footwear and warm clothing are recommended, as you'll be up quite high. You can reach the Stairway to Heaven via the panoramic terrace of the Dachstein Glacier Restaurant.

Dachstein Suspension Bridge

The Dachstein Suspension Bridge guarantees not only a wonderful view but also a small dose of thrill. After all, who can say they've looked at the Dachstein from so high up on a suspension bridge?

This experience promises you not only incredible views into the distance, but also into the depths. It's not for nothing that the Dachstein Suspension Bridge is Austria's highest suspension bridge. Once you're on the suspension bridge and have overcome your inner hesitation, you'll find 400 m of seemingly endless depth beneath you. This attraction combines the unique view of the mountain panorama right in front of you with the Dachstein mountain massif beneath your feet. The suspension bridge also leads you directly to the next highlight of the Dachstein, the Ice Palace.

But before heading to the Ice Palace, you shouldn't miss the Stairway to Nothingness. The Stairway to Nothingness is located at the end of the Dachstein Suspension Bridge and takes you, in just a few steps, onto a glass platform at a dizzying height. The Stairway to Nothingness offers you the unique opportunity to stand directly against the rock face and get even closer to the Dachstein mountains. Embrace this almost frightening adventure and you'll be rewarded with a view that other people will never see. An experience you'll certainly tell your friends and family about. Please note that dogs are not allowed on either the suspension bridge or the Stairway to Nothingness.

Ice Palace

The Ice Palace gives you the feeling of entering a new world where anything is possible. Explore the mystical world of everlasting ice and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the "Explore the Glacier" exhibition. There you can discover the various facets of the glacier and marvel at impressive figures and ice columns. In no time at all, you can get from the cable car via the suspension bridge to the Ice Palace. Please note that dogs are not allowed here either.

Sky Walk

The Sky Walk also promises a special kind of thrill and lets you take in the mountain panorama from an incredible height. Directly beneath your feet, you can see the 250 m vertical drop of the Hunerkogel rock face, without having to laboriously climb it first. The Sky Walk is also made of glass, so it doesn't block a single view. If you're lucky, on very good weather days you can even see as far as the Hohe Tauern, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic. But it's not just the Sky Walk that's worthwhile — the circular trail around the cable car's mountain station is too. If you choose this route, you can admire the impressive Dachstein south face and see the beautiful peaks of the Alps. You can also take a wonderful break along this route by settling into one of the cozy beach chairs.

Sporting activities

In addition to the activities mentioned above, Schladming-Dachstein is also known for its large selection of hiking trails, which will definitely bring you closer to Austria's nature. You can follow the hiking trails on your own or take part in guided tours. Nordic walking is also very popular in this region! In addition to one-day hikes, you can also go on multi-day hikes. Besides hiking, you can also go on climbing trips or explore nature by mountain bike. If you prefer something more thrilling, you can also try rafting or canyoning.

But it's not only in summer that you can enjoy various activities in Schladming-Dachstein — you can do so in winter as well. The ski season begins every year at the start of December, always with a real highlight: the music event of the year. In past years, well-known artists have performed there, such as the Backstreet Boys in 2025.

After that, you can really kick off your ski holiday and explore the so-called 4 Mountains Ski Circuit. But what does this 4 Mountains Ski Circuit stand for? The special thing about Schladming-Dachstein is that you don't have to choose just one mountain — you can choose directly between four different mountains. The 4 Mountains Ski Circuit connects Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, and Reiteralm. This makes your ski experience unforgettable! In this ski region, every single one of you is sure to find something!

The best time to travel

Depending on the purpose of your trip, the best time to visit Schladming-Dachstein also varies. If you'd like to explore nature in pleasant temperatures and get to know the Dachstein massif better, then summer is wonderfully suited for a trip to Schladming-Dachstein. However, if you'd like to see this region's wintry appearance and expand your skiing skills, then you should travel to Schladming-Dachstein in winter. And don't forget about the special music event at the start of the ski season!

If you're traveling to Austria for a new ski adventure, you can also discover more ski resorts in our guide that are just as worth seeing.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a wonderful trip to Austria and lots of fun on your tour of discovery through Schladming-Dachstein. Don't forget to find out about the toll regulations in Austria. You can find more information on the toll in our guide. You're also welcome to use our route planner to better plan your trip and see the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we're happy to help. Contact us via email.