Iva Says
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Americas
      • Dominican Republic
      • North America
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Bulgaria
      • France
      • Greece
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Macedonia
      • Netherlands
      • Italy
      • Romania
      • Serbia
      • Slovenia
      • Switzerland
    • National Parks
    • Travel Ideas + Lists
    • Where I’ve Been
  • Reviews
    • Accommodations
    • Attractions
    • Destinations
    • Transportation
  • Resources
    • Travel Guides
    • Travel Quizzes
    • Travel Resources
    • Travel Tips
  • Nature
    • Beaches
    • Camping
    • Caves
    • Hiking
  • Travel Photos
  • Lifestyle
    • Awards
    • Blogging
    • How-To
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Americas
      • Dominican Republic
      • North America
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Bulgaria
      • France
      • Greece
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Macedonia
      • Netherlands
      • Italy
      • Romania
      • Serbia
      • Slovenia
      • Switzerland
    • National Parks
    • Travel Ideas + Lists
    • Where I’ve Been
  • Reviews
    • Accommodations
    • Attractions
    • Destinations
    • Transportation
  • Resources
    • Travel Guides
    • Travel Quizzes
    • Travel Resources
    • Travel Tips
  • Nature
    • Beaches
    • Camping
    • Caves
    • Hiking
  • Travel Photos
  • Lifestyle
    • Awards
    • Blogging
    • How-To
No Result
View All Result
Iva Says
No Result
View All Result

Travel Guide To 5 Fingers in Hallstatt, Austria

by Iva
May 18, 2022
in Destinations, Travel Guides
Reading Time: 9 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Please note this post may contain affiliate links. IvaSays may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article, at no extra cost to you.

Hotel and Flight Search

One of the most visited places in Austria has to be Hallstatt, a small town located on the banks of the Hallstätter See. The village is nestled between the Dachstein and Salzkammergut Mountains and is world-famous for its picturesque setting and history.

While many visitors enjoy walking around the town and taking in the views, plenty of exciting activities keep visitors occupied. One such attraction is Five Fingers, an elevated walkway that offers panoramic views of Hallstatt and its surroundings.

Visitors can reach 5 Fingers via a steep hike or take a ride on one of the cable cars running from town up to the summit. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views or a bit of exercise, 5 Fingers is worth a visit.

Why 5 fingers in Hallstatt is a must-see attraction

The 5 Fingers in Hallstatt are a must-see attraction for tourists visiting Austria because of their unique and picturesque appearance. The metal finger platform is located in the Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut UNESCO World Heritage mountain region, known for its natural beauty and lakes.

Houses on Hallstatt lake in Austria.
Must see Hallstatt, Austria, and its top attraction 5 Fingers.

How to get there to Hallstatt and Five Fingers

The 5 fingers are located above the town of Hallstatt, which is about 2 hours away from Salzburg by car, and some buses go to Hallstatt from Salzburg. Once you’re in Hallstatt, you can either take a cable car ride or hike up to the fingers. The lift rides (2 of them) take about 11 minutes, and the hike takes several hours, depending on your fitness level.

How long does each lift at Dachstein Krippenstein take to reach 5 Fingers?

This might not be a frequent question most travelers ask, but some of us do. When I wanted to research how long it takes to reach 5 Fingers with the lift, there were different times in most travel guides, from 20-45 minutes. Even on the official Dachstein Krippenstein site, there is no information.

So, for those that want to know the time it takes each lift (from the parking lot to the ice and mammoth cave and then to 5 fingers), here it is:

  • Dachstein Krippenstein Middle Station (Lift 1) – 5 minutes.
    The ride from the parking lot to the middle station on Dachstein Krippenstein is a little less than 5 minutes, and this will lead you to the Ice Cave and the Mammoth Cave. Right outside the station, you will find small cabins that are museums, a picnic area, bathrooms, and even a coffee shop.
  • Dachstein Krippenstein Berg Station (Lift 2) – 6 minutes.
    From the middle station to the top, where 5 Fingers is located, the lift takes approximately 6 minutes. At Berg station, you will find a restaurant, bathrooms, a lodge with food, hiking trails to the World Heritage, 5 Fingers, the Shark Monument, and access to the 3rd lift that takes you to Gjaid station.

The total time is 11 minutes to reach the 5 Fingers station from the parking lot with the lifts.  

What you can see and do at 5 Fingers

Once you’ve reached Berg station, where the Five Fingers platform is located, there are plenty of things to do. You can admire the views of the lake and the mountains, visit the ice and mammoth caves, hike, see the shark monument, and check out the World Heritage site.

Visiting the Ice and Mammoth Caves At Dachstein Krippenstein in Hallstatt

The caves are located at the first stopping point to 5 Fingers. Both require a guided tour, which you can quickly sign up for at the cable lift station. The caves are opposite each other, and each requires about a 5 – 10 minute walk.

The guided tours to the caves last about one hour.

What Caves Should You Visit At Dachstein Krippenstein?

Dachstein Mountain at the middle station has two caves – the ice and mammoth caves. How much time and money you have will determine seeing both or just one cave.

People walking in an ice cave
Music and light show in the Ice Cave at Dachstein Krippenstein in Hallstatt, Austria.

If you are short on time, I highly recommend the ice cave tour at Dachstein!

Cave Tours At Dachstein Krippenstein

Suppose you want to see the caves near Obertraun, Austria, you will need to take the first lift at Dachstein mountain. There is a “Tickets” booth at the lift station where a worker will tell you the cave tour time for each cave.

Getting your cave tour time

You need to return to the Ticket booth to get a time for the second cave. They only give out time for one cave tour at a time because people walk at different speeds and take breaks. So no one will miss a cave tour. Each tourist or group has to visit the Ticket station before going to the second cave.

Walking to caves

The Tickets station worker will say it takes 20 minutes to reach the mammoth cave. It doesn’t! I wouldn’t give it more than 5-7 minutes. It’s an easy hike, much easier than the ice cave.

On the other hand, the ice cave will take a bit longer to reach. It’s all uphill from the cable station, so pace yourself.

Cave tours

The tour of the Mammoth cave takes about 50 minutes. I believe the tour guide said it was a steady 3 degrees Celsius inside the cave, and I wore sweatpants and a sweatshirt to keep warm. So, if you get cold quickly, bring a jacket.

The tour guide speaks English, but you should tell him before the tour starts so you can walk behind him and hear what he is saying. Then, when he gets to each cave point, he will speak in German.

They are cool caves to see with lots of stairs, so be prepared. 

What is the Best Ticket to Buy for Dachstein Krippenstein? 

The price of an adult ticket ranges from 40 to 60 Euros, and the price is about the same whether you visit a cave or not. The All-Inclusive ticket costs 53 Euros and includes visits to both the mammoth and ice caves and the lifts to 5 Fingers and the World Heritage site.

If you want to save money or don’t have a lot of time, the Dachstein Salzkammergut ticket is a good option. It costs 50 euros per adult, and I highly recommend seeing the ice cave if you choose this ticket.

Sheep on a mountain.
Meeting the famous sheep at Dachstein-Salzkammergut mountain.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Hallstatt?

To make the most of your visit to the five fingers in Hallstatt, be sure to spend some time exploring the town of Hallstatt as well. This charming town is located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt and is known for its picturesque homes and buildings. There are also several shops and restaurants in town, so you can grab a bite to eat or pick up some souvenirs.

If you want to cool off on the hot summer days, go for a swim in the lake. Or take a boat ride around Hallstatt, and they even offer drinks and dinner on a boat.

People sitting at table by lake.
Enjoy delicious food and some wine on Hallstatt Lake.
People laying on grass and sun tanning by a lake.
Go to Obertraun and enjoy its beautiful park for some sun, kayaking, ice crème, and fishing.

Be sure to book a salt mine tour!

You can also visit the nearby towns of St. Wolfgang and Gosau to explore more of the Salzkammergut region.

Tips for Visiting 5 Fingers in Hallstatt

Some tips for visiting the 5 fingers in Hallstatt include packing some snacks and water for the hike up, wearing comfortable shoes, and bringing a camera to take plenty of pictures. Also, be sure to check the weather before you go to prepare for any conditions. I would advise you to bring a jacket for the caves as the temperature inside them is low.

Some Photos of Five Fingers

Metal platform for viewing around mountains.
Five Fingers
Wooden house on a mountain.
View from the World Heritage platform.
Cable car station on mountain.
Berg station at Dachstein Krippenstein.
Cable car going down a mountain.
Lift car at Berg station.
Snow on mountain.
Glacier view from Dachstein Krippenstein in Hallstatt, Austria
Apple pie and banana sundae deserts.
After an eventful day, we hiked around Berg Station at 5 Fingers, some dessert, and beer.
Tags: 5 FingersAustriaEuropeHallstattKnow Before You Go
Previous Post

5 Tips for a Great Golf Vacation

Next Post

5 Fun Activities to Do in Monaco

Iva

Iva

Iva is a former engineer who decided to explore the world before settling down. She is a pragmatist at heart, so she hopes to provide honest and useful guides to all her readers.

Related Posts

48 hours in Rome - Visit the Colosseum in Rome.

A Weekend in the City of Love: Experiencing Rome in 48 Hours

January 27, 2023
Top 10 sights in Malta: what to see in Malta in seven days.

The best of Malta in 7 days: a tour guide

November 22, 2022
Portugal Bucket List: Visit Portugal For A Weekend

Portugal for a Weekend – What To Do In Portugal

August 3, 2022
What are the mental and physical benefits of travelling?

What Are the Mental and Physical Benefits of Traveling?

August 20, 2021
Next Post
5 Fun Activities to Do in Monaco

5 Fun Activities to Do in Monaco

Portugal Bucket List: Visit Portugal For A Weekend

Portugal for a Weekend - What To Do In Portugal

Substainable travel tips

6 Tips for More Sustainable Travel

  • Where I’ve Been
  • About
  • Contact
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return and Shipping Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Sitemap
  • RSS Feed

© 2020 Iva Says - All Rights Reserved. Request permission before using any images or content.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Americas
      • Dominican Republic
      • North America
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Bulgaria
      • France
      • Greece
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Macedonia
      • Netherlands
      • Italy
      • Romania
      • Serbia
      • Slovenia
      • Switzerland
    • National Parks
    • Travel Ideas
  • Reviews
    • Accommodations
    • Attractions
    • Destinations
    • Transportation
  • Resources
    • Travel Guides
    • Travel Quizzes
    • Travel Resources
    • Travel Tips
  • Nature
    • Beaches
    • Camping
    • Caves
    • Hiking
  • Travel Photos
  • Lifestyle
    • Awards
    • Blogging
    • How-To
  • About
  • Contact
  • Our Policies
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • Privacy Policy
    • Return and Shipping Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2020 Iva Says - All Rights Reserved. Request permission before using any images or content.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

The logo for the travel blog of Iva Says
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.