Koppenkarstein Westgrat Klettersteig — via ferrata in Ramsau am Dachstein

Dachstein · Ramsau am Dachstein, Steiermark

A high-alpine ridge via ferrata up the Großer Koppenkarstein, with a long rope bridge over the Austriascharte. It starts 20 minutes from the cable car top station, so it suits less fit climbers. Sources differ on the height gain: 250 m in the brochure, 320 m on bergsteigen.com.

Route details

DifficultyB/C
Vertical gain250 m
Climbing time1 h 30 min
Approach20 min
Altitude2863 m a.s.l.

Season and hours

Free access, but only in season. Season: June – 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 12.

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.

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