2022 Austria Day 5: Dachstein Krippenstein, Hallstatt

12 Sep 2022: Day 5

Our first itinerary of the day was Hallstatt salt mine. Salt mining in Hallstatt has been going on for 7,000 years making it as the oldest salt mine in the world, so having the chance to tour the mine was a real treat. We parked our car at P2, and took the funicular to go up to high valley at 838 metres above sea level. The ride took about 5 minutes.. We spent 3-4 hours for the tour and walking along the skywalk. The 90-min tour included a light show, 2 really cool slides and train ride out from the mine.

It was cloudy in the morning and the view was disappointing. 

A short and little steep walk to the salt mine entrance where we joined the tour

We changed into jump suits

The tour started with walking into tunnels

Light show

The tour concluded with a little speedy train ride out of the mine. This was the most interesting part of the tour as we passed through squeezy tunnels without any shields. 

Little souvenir from the tour

The sky turned clear when we finished the mine tour. And now the view was spectacular.

We appreciated the sunshine and quickly headed to Dachstein in the afternoon. The Dachstein mountain range in the Austrian Alps is breathtaking, with Dachstein Krippenstein in the Salzkammergut Lake District as the crown jewel. It’s located near the town of Hallstatt, and in my opinion, it’s one of the best things to do in Hallstatt, even if it’s not precisely in Hallstatt.

Visiting Dachstein Krippenstein was a little confusing, mainly because I didn’t know about buying the correct ticket. In this section, I will share my insights to help you make the most of your visit. With several ticket options available, I will break it down for you so you can make an informed decision.

Dachstein Cable Car

Ticket 1: Let’s start with the Panorama Ticket. If you’re short on time and only plan to visit the 5-Fingers, this might be the right choice for you. However, this ticket does not include access to any of the caves, and we highly recommend visiting at least one of them. The views from the 5-Fingers are stunning, but the caves are also an incredible experience you won’t want to miss.

Ticket 2: The Dachstein Salzkammergut Ticket includes the first two cable cars and either the Mammut or the Ice Cave. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the mountain and visit at least one of the caves, which we highly recommend. The 5-Fingers is also a must-see attraction, as the view from there is unique and breathtaking. With this ticket, you’ll have plenty to see and do during your visit.

Ticket 3: All-Inclusive Ticket, if you want to make the most of your visit and have the entire day to explore. This ticket includes access to both caves and all three cable cars. You’ll have the chance to experience everything Dachstein Krippenstein offers, but it requires more time and energy. We highly recommend this ticket if you have a full day to explore and are up for the challenge.

I was afraid the weather would probably turn bad for the next few days and we wanted to use the remaining day to explore Hallstatt town. That was the reason why we did not go for Ticket 2. We drove to Hallstatt after Dachstein Krippenstein and had dinner in the town. Hallstatt is a village on Lake Hallstatt's western shore in Austria's mountainous Salzkammergut region. It was declared as one of the World Heritage Sites in Austria by UNESCO in 1997. The quaint alpine village, situated on Lake Hallstatt’s western shore in the mountainous Salzkammergut region, is home to fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, an ancient salt mine, and unparalleled views of the Austrian Alps.