Dachstein Westgrat - Klettersteig — via ferrata in Ramsau am Dachstein

Dachstein · Ramsau am Dachstein, Steiermark

An ascent of the Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), the highest peak in Styria, by its west ridge. The protected climbing itself is easy — grade B — but this is NOT an ordinary via ferrata: the approach and descent cross the Gosau glacier, and the regional portal states plainly that there is crevasse danger and that crampons and rope protection are required. Do not start without glacier gear and crevasse-rescue skills. The crux is a steep step of about three metres; ice and snow make it unpleasant. The shortest return is via the Randkluftsteig, but from roughly early August the descent uses the Schulter-Klettersteig.

Route details

Difficulty	B
Route length	550 m
Vertical gain	210 m
Climbing time	2 h
Approach	2 h
Altitude	2995 m a.s.l.

Season and hours

Free access, but only in season. Season: July – September.

The route is unstaffed and free to enter — the months below are the season from the Dachstein regional brochure (2024), not opening hours. Higher up, snow decides: in spring and after autumn snowfall the approaches hold firn fields, and crampons and an ice axe are needed. Check conditions with the cable car operator or the Ramsau tourist office.

Gear and requirements

A full via ferrata kit (harness, EN 958 lanyard, helmet) AND glacier gear: crampons, an ice axe and a rope, plus crevasse-rescue skills. The approach crosses a crevassed glacier — do not start without that gear.

Tickets: The via ferrata itself is free. The standard approach uses the paid Dachstein Gletscherbahn; in summer seats must be reserved and fares change every season. A toll road leads to the valley station — if you ride the cable car, the road ticket is validated free of charge at the top station.

Other via ferratas on the map

• Via Ferrata „Dwie Skałki” — Góry Świętokrzyskie (Poland), A/B
• Krucze Skały — Karkonosze (Poland), B
• Hurra Jura — Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska (Poland), C
• Kamieniołom Podkowiński — Wyżyna Kielecko-Sandomierska (Poland), A
• Via Ferrata Przełom Marcinka — Pogórze Dynowskie (Poland), C
• Via Ferrata Pastýřská stěna — Czeska Szwajcaria (Czechia), E
• Via Ferrata Vodní brána — Dolina Izery (Czechia), D/E
• Via Ferrata Hluboká — Dolina Wełtawy (Czechia), C/D
• Ferratový park Velká Dohoda — Kras Morawski (Czechia), E
• Via Ferrata Vír — Wyżyna Czesko-Morawska (Czechia), B/C
• Via Ferrata Kočičí kameny — Góry Izerskie (Czechia), B/C
• Ferrata HZS Tatranská Kotlina — Tatry Bielskie (Slovakia), C
• Via Ferrata HZS Martinské hole — Mała Fatra (Slovakia), C
• Ferrata HZS Kyseľ — Słowacki Raj (Slovakia), C
• Via Ferrata Skalka — Kremnickie Wierchy (Slovakia), E
• Via Ferrata Dve veže — Wielka Fatra (Slovakia), C/D
• Via Ferrata Sokolie skaly — Jaworie (Slovakia), C
• Ferrata Pamír (Driekyňská skala) — Starohorské vrchy (Slovakia), C
• Detský via ferratový areál Zvonička — Pohronský Inovec (Slovakia), B/C
• Via Ferrata Hrádok – Mikova železná cesta — Revúcka vrchovina (Slovakia), B/C
• Detská via ferrata Čingov — Słowacki Raj (Slovakia), A
• Eiger-Rotstock Klettersteig — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), B
• Erlebnisklettersteig Gemmiwand — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), D
• Hexensteig am Pfaffen — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Aletsch — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Baltschiedertal — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Bergsee — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Braunwald — Alpy Glarneńskie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Brunnistöckli — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), B
• Klettersteig Chäligang — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), B
• Klettersteig Daubenhorn — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Diavolo — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Eggishorn — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Fürenwand — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Gabi Simplon — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Gantrisch — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Graustock — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Greitspitz — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Jägihorn — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Kandersteg-Allmenalp — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig La Resgia — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Mittaghorn — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Mürren — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Ostegghütte — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Pinut — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), B
• Klettersteig Piz Trovat — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Piz Trovat II — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Saas Grund / Gorge Alpine — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Schwarzhorn — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), C
• Klettersteig Schweifinen — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Senda Ferrada Piz Mitgel — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), D
• Klettersteig Sulzfluh — Alpy Retyckie (Switzerland), E
• Klettersteig Zittergrat — Alpy Urneńskie (Switzerland), D
• Simmeflue-Steig — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), B
• Tälli Klettersteig — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), C
• Tierbergli Klettersteig — Alpy Berneńskie (Switzerland), D
• Via Farinetta — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata d'Evolène — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata de Pierredar — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata de Planpraz — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata dei tre Signori — Alpy Lepontyńskie (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata des Rochers de Naye — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata des Wasserfalls (de la Cascade) — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata du Belvédère — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata Gemskopf / La Tête de Chamois — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata La Videmanette — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata Le Moléson - La Face — Préalpes fribourgeoises (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata Le Moléson - Le Pilier — Préalpes fribourgeoises (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata San Salvatore — Alpy Lepontyńskie (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata Tichodrome — Jura (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata Tour d'Aï — Préalpes vaudoises (Switzerland), D
• Via Ferrata von Moiry — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), E
• Via Ferrata von Tière — Alpy Walijskie (Switzerland), C
• Hindelanger Klettersteig — Alpy Algawskie (Germany), C
• Mindelheimer Klettersteig — Alpy Algawskie (Germany), C
• Edelrid Klettersteig (Salewa Klettersteig) — Alpy Algawskie (Germany), B/C
• Ostrachtaler Klettersteig — Alpy Algawskie (Germany), B/C
• Besler Klettersteig — Alpy Algawskie (Germany), A/B
• Tegelbergsteig — Alpy Ammergawskie (Germany), C/D
• Gelbe-Wand-Steig — Alpy Ammergawskie (Germany), A
• Fingersteig — Alpy Ammergawskie (Germany), D
• Klettersteig Ettaler Manndl — Alpy Ammergawskie (Germany), A/B
• Alpspitz-Ferrata — Wetterstein (Germany), B
• Mathaisenkar-Klettersteig — Wetterstein (Germany), B/C
• Mauerläufersteig — Wetterstein (Germany), D/E
• Höllental-Klettersteig — Wetterstein (Germany), C
• Mittenwalder Höhenweg — Karwendel (Germany), B
• Karwendel-Klettersteig — Karwendel (Germany), C
• Grünstein-Klettersteig — Alpy Berchtesgadeńskie (Germany), E
• Berchtesgadener Hochthronsteig — Alpy Berchtesgadeńskie (Germany), C/D
• Schützensteig — Alpy Berchtesgadeńskie (Germany), B
• Laxersteig — Alpy Berchtesgadeńskie (Germany), C/D
• Pidinger Klettersteig — Alpy Chiemgawskie (Germany), D
• Hausbachfall-Klettersteig — Alpy Chiemgawskie (Germany), C
• Höhenglücksteig — Jura Frankońska (Germany), D/E
• Norissteig — Jura Frankońska (Germany), C
• Via Ferrata Bambini — Jura Frankońska (Germany), B/C
• Klettersteig am Kemitzenstein — Jura Frankońska (Germany), B
• Nonnensteig — Góry Żytawskie (Germany), C/D
• Klettersteig Wolkensteiner Hag und Wolfspfad — Rudawy (Germany), C
• DAV-Klettersteige Wolkenstein — Rudawy (Germany), D/E
• Ernst-Hartwig-Klettersteig — Thüringer Schiefergebirge (Germany), C/D
• Todtnauer Klettersteig — Schwarzwald (Germany), C
• Burgenklettersteig Manderscheid — Eifel (Germany), C/D
• Neuerburg Klettersteig — Eifel (Germany), C
• Ferrata Ivano Dibona — Dolomiti (Gruppo del Cristallo) (Italy), B/C
• Via Ferrata Cesco Tomaselli — Dolomiti (Gruppo di Fanes / Lagazuoi) (Italy), D
• Ferrata delle Trincee — Dolomiti (Gruppo del Padon / Marmolada) (Italy), C
• Ferrata Giovanni Lipella — Dolomiti (Gruppo delle Tofane) (Italy), C
• Ferrata Sci Club 18 — Dolomiti (Gruppo del Cristallo / Faloria) (Italy), D
• Ferrata Attilio Tissi — Dolomiti (Gruppo del Civetta) (Italy), C/D
• Via Ferrata delle Bocchette Centrali — Dolomiti di Brenta (Italy), B
• Via Ferrata delle Bocchette Alte — Dolomiti di Brenta (Italy), C
• Sentiero Attrezzato SOSAT — Dolomiti di Brenta (Italy), B
• Ferrata Bolver Lugli — Pale di San Martino (Italy), C
• Ferrata delle Taccole — Monte Baldo (Italy), C/D
• Sentiero Attrezzato Cecilia — Grigne (Grigna Meridionale) (Italy), B
• Via Ferrata al Pizzo d'Erna (Gamma 1) — Prealpi Lecchesi (Pizzo d'Erna) (Italy), C
• Ferrata del Procinto — Alpi Apuane (Italy), B/C
• Sentiero Renato Salvatori — Alpi Apuane (Italy), B
• Via Ferrata del Gorbeillon — Alpi Pennine (Italy), D
• Via Ferrata Enrico Ricci — Gran Sasso d'Italia (Italy), B
• Sentiero Attrezzato Gaetano Falcipieri — Prealpi Vicentine (Pasubio) (Italy), B
• Ramsauer Klettersteig — Dachstein, C
• Johann Klettersteig (Dachsteinwarte) — Dachstein, E
• Anna Klettersteig (Mitterstein) — Dachstein, D
• Sky Walk (Hunerkogel) — Dachstein, E
• Schulter-Klettersteig (Hoher Dachstein) — Dachstein, C
• Hunerschartensteig — Dachstein, B
• Koppenkarstein Westgrat Klettersteig — Dachstein, B/C
• Hias Klettersteig (Silberkarklamm) — Dachstein, D
• Rosina Klettersteig (Silberkarklamm) — Dachstein, D
• Siega Klettersteig (Silberkar) — Dachstein, C/D
• Jubiläumsklettersteig (Eselstein) — Dachstein, D
• Austria-Klettersteig Sinabell — Dachstein, C/D
• Klettersteig Stuibenfall — Ötztal, C
• Innsbrucker Klettersteig (Nordkette) — Karwendel (Nordkette), C/D
• Klettersteig Lehner Wasserfall — Ötztal, E
• 5-Gipfel-Klettersteig (Rofan) — Rofan, D
• Absamer Klettersteig (Bettelwurfhütte) — Karwendel, C
• Klettersteige Galitzenklamm — Dolomity Lienzkie, E
• Gjaidstein - Klettersteig — Dachstein, A/B
• Westgrat - Klettersteig (Eselstein) — Dachstein, B/C
• Westwand - Klettersteig (Eselstein) — Dachstein, B
• Tonisteig (Hochtausing) — Hochtausing, B/C
• Burgstall - Klettersteig — Grimming, B
• Franzi - Klettersteig (Reiteralm) — Schladminger Tauern, C/D
• Klettersteige am Sattelberg — Dachstein, C/D
• Klettersteigpark Stoderzinken — Dachstein, E

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