Johann Klettersteig (Dachsteinwarte) — via ferrata in Ramsau am Dachstein

Dachstein · Ramsau am Dachstein, Steiermark

A big via ferrata up the Dachstein south face to the Dachsteinwarte: about 700 m of cable, the main difficulties in the lower part of the wall and rockfall higher up. It needs very good fitness. The approach is on foot from the cable car valley station past the Dachstein-Südwandhütte; descend by cable car from the Hunerkogel or via the Hunerschartensteig.

The regional portal and bergsteigen.com rate the route D/E overall; the overhanging start is the crux, graded E by bergsteigen.com and the regional brochure. We give E because under-grading is more dangerous than over-grading.

Route details

DifficultyE
Route length700 m
Vertical gain550 m
Climbing time3 h
Approach2 h
Altitude2730 m a.s.l.

Season and hours

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

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

Harness, via ferrata lanyard with an energy absorber (EN 958) and a helmet. The route is unstaffed with no rental at the start — bring your own gear or hire it down in the valley.

Requirements: The regional brochure gives a minimum age of 16.

Tickets: The via ferrata itself is free and the approach is on foot. The easiest way back is the paid Dachstein Gletscherbahn from the Hunerkogel (watch the last descent; fares change every season). A toll road leads to the valley station.

Other via ferratas on the map

← Via ferratas in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy