Clouds were moving in and the conditions on the mountain were starting to deteriorate. Winds blew the cable car as we traveled to the second station at 6,800 ft elevation. Everyone made ooh and ahh noises as we crossed over one of the support structures and swayed back and forth in the wind. It was a little unnerving.
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Once we reached the top, we had about 45 minutes to explore. Due to the time crunch and unfavorable weather, we rushed out to the viewing point behind the lift station. On a clearer day you can see a small portion of the Dachstein Glacier, but the clouds were starting to roll in and the view was blocked.
Over the Edge at Krippenstein's 5fingers
I begged Dan to walk out to the 5fingers viewing point by taking the path that wraps around the mountainside and brings you to a five-point platform looking out towards Hallstatt and the lake. Jacket hoodies up, faces down, we pushed through the cold, strong winds and hurried to the lookout in record time.
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Wind was blowing through the finger's metal grates making eerie whistling noises and the metal structure groaned. Dan refused to go out there, but I wanted a quick picture as proof. I slowly crept out on one finger, got the shot, and ran back to solid ground. We were the only crazy ones out there. On a nicer day, there are breathtaking view of Hallstatt, the lake, and the Salzkammergut region.
View from 5fiingers. // The wind whipping through the structure.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a very small village nestled between the side of a mountain and a lake. This area is rich in salt and for thousands of years, this "white gold" was mined from the mountains above Hallstatt.
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We spent half a day and overnight in Hallstatt. It was a cloudy and misty day, but it gave Hallstatt a magical feeling. We meandered through the old streets passing weathered, wooden buildings. Closer to the water we encountered some swans.
THE BONE CHAPEL
Take a few minutes from your day and visit the Bone Chapel. It's a small, interesting, stone room with skulls and other bones from some of Hallstatt's former residents. With little room to have a cemetery, some residents were exhumed from the cemetery ground after a few years & either returned to the family or added to the Beinhaus. It's certainly worth a quick visit at only €1.50 per person.
DAS BEINHAUS
Nature's Freezer: Dachstein Eishöhle
Three miles from Hallstatt is the neighboring village of Obertraun and the gateway to the Dachstein mountain range. A local bus can take you from Hallstatt's Lahn, located outside of Hallstatt's village center, and drop you off at the Dachstein Krippenstein lift station. One lift ride up to Schönbergalm (section I) brings you to two main activities: visiting the Giant Ice Cave or the Mammoth Cave. This particular mountain range is known for it's "cracks" inside the mountains previously carved by water. The Mammoth Cave takes you on a small 1KM portion of the entire 60+KM passageways inside the mountain. We chose to visit the Giant Ice Cave instead.
A second lift will take you from Schönbergalm (section I) to the top of Krippenstein (section II). There are lots of trails and viewpoints looking out towards the Dachstein Glacier or back towards Hallstatt. Our time was limited and the weather was unfavorable, so we only focused on the 5fingers viewing platform. It's a thrilling platform that extends over the cliff face offering five different viewing stations.
The first cable car carried us up to an elevation of about 4,500 ft. We checked in and received our group number for the ice cave tour. They give you enough time to hike up to the starting location. The route is paved, but very steep. I found it a little strenuous, but luckily it's a relatively short trek.
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Typically, sixty-five people make up a tour group traversing through the ice caves. Today, our tour was comprised of Dan and myself, a family of three, and two couples. Visitors have been touring these ice caves since about 1912. Tourists would actually hike up in order to view the ice wonder before the cable cars were built in 1951.
Q: How dark does it get in the caves when all the lights are off?
A: Here, let me show you...
it's pitch black.
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The tour begins at the youngest part of the cave: a man-made section. (pictured left)
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The man-made room does not feature any ice, but has stalactites hanging from the ceiling.
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You gain elevation as the tour progresses through the cave.
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During touring months, the ice is thickest and the rooms are coldest in May.
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This is also the best month to see ice hanging from the ceiling before they break and a sparkling frost on the ceiling of one room.
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Tours last about 50 minutes.
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Temps are slightly below or around freezing; it's warmest near the entrances & exits.
Dachstein Krippenstein
