Hallstatt, Austria, is a picturesque village nestled along the shores of Lake Hallstatt, renowned for its unparalleled beauty and UNESCO World Heritage status. While most travelers visit the village itself and enjoy a boat ride on the lake, those with additional time can venture to the lesser-known Five Fingers viewing platform in the Dachstein Mountains. This unique platform, shaped like a five-fingered hand, extends from a cliff, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and a thrilling experience for adventurous visitors.

To reach Five Fingers, you must take a cable car. The cable car station (Dachstein Salzkammergut Cable Car Station) is located in the small town of Obertraun, approximately 7 kilometers from Hallstatt. If you are traveling by car, you can park at the station. However, I took the public bus, which was a simple and convenient option.

Let's Go!

My journey began at Hallstatt village, where I boarded bus route 543. The fare was 2.10 euros, and the boarding point was the village's only bus stop. The starting point for the walk into Hallstatt village is directly opposite the village's minimarket, which I believe is impossible to miss.

Nah&Frisch Minimarket

Buses run all day, as shown in the travel schedule. Our destination is the Cable Car. The bottom table shows that there is a bus every hour from 08:57 to 16:41, but they are about 1 hour apart. So, plan well.

Bus 543, the driver is very friendly.

It's about a 15-minute drive, not far, but we'll stop by the "Obertraun" train station first.

Before reaching the intersection, there is a blue archway sign indicating the entrance. So, if you are driving, please pay attention.

Upon arrival, purchase tickets at the left-hand sales point. The cable car entrance is located in the main building behind.

Our Panorama Ticket for adults costs 29.30 euros.

Note : From the price table, it can be seen that there are many places we can visit. The main ones are:

The yellow path leads to the Five Fingers viewpoint, our destination. The Shark's Mouth viewpoint (which I did not visit) is also on this path.

The sky blue will be a visit to the ice cave (I did not visit).

"Due to limited time, I only visited Five Fingers, which took four hours roundtrip from Hallstatt. Therefore, if you wish to explore the entire area, it is recommended to purchase an All-inclusive ticket and arrive early in the morning to spend the entire day."

More information can be found on the website.

http://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.com/en/dachstein/dachstein/

Cable car entrance.

We will then take Cable Car 1, which takes approximately 5 minutes to reach Station 1.

At the first station, there is a fork for those who want to visit the caves and another fork for those who want to take the cable car. We took the cable car for two more sections (about 5 minutes) to reach the Five Fingers viewpoint.

Upon reaching Station 2, follow the signs to the Five Fingers viewpoint. The average walking time from Station 2 to the Five Fingers viewpoint is 30 minutes. It took me 35 minutes, which is close to the average.


Some areas were still covered in ice when I visited in June.

Are you handsome? :p

The red dot marks the village of Hallstatt, where we arrived by bus. The white line sloping upwards to the right represents the funicular railway that takes visitors to the salt mine, another popular tourist destination in Hallstatt.

Arrived at "Five Fingers".

This picture frame requires a bit of internal force to fit in. The bottom is a clear glass panel, which is a bit scary.

The weather changed quickly. In a flash, the sky darkened and it started to rain. My time was up, so I started walking back the same way I came. I walked down the stairs to the station at the bottom.


The sky is overcast, and people have all gone inside the building to take shelter.

For high-society individuals like myself, the cable car system provides real-time bus arrival information to help us plan our return trip and avoid unnecessary delays. The journey involves two cable car segments, each taking 5 minutes, with a 10-minute transfer time between stations. Therefore, regardless of whether you are ascending or descending, once you board the cable car, it will take exactly 20 minutes to reach the final station.

The sign below indicates the time.

The train arrives on time according to European standards. Return to the original village of Hallstatt.

Mission accomplished. Allow me to summarize once again.

Five Fingers: A Scenic Day Trip from Hallstatt

If you find yourself in Hallstatt with at least four hours to spare, consider a trip to Five Fingers. This breathtaking viewpoint offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes.

Getting There:

  • Public Transportation: Buses depart from Hallstatt to Five Fingers roughly once an hour. Check the schedule carefully, especially if your time is limited.
  • Taxi: For larger groups or those pressed for time, taxis are available.

Planning Your Trip:

  • Time Commitment: Allocate at least four hours for the round trip, including travel time and time spent at the viewpoint.
  • Accessibility: The journey involves a cable car ride and a short walk. Ensure you are comfortable with these aspects before embarking.

Additional Considerations:

  • Weather: Check the weather forecast before heading out, as conditions can change rapidly in mountainous areas.
  • Clothing and Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor activities.

Enjoy the Experience:

Five Fingers offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the Salzkammergut region. Take your time, soak in the views, and capture unforgettable memories.

Alternatively, if you have ample time or can plan to spend the entire day here, it is highly recommended to dedicate a full day to Dachstein Salzkammergut. Purchasing the All-inclusive ticket offers exceptional value, allowing you to experience both the Five Fingers and other scenic viewpoints, including the captivating ice caves. However, it is crucial to verify the final cable car descent time to ensure a smooth return.

(If there is a restaurant upstairs that serves meals, but if you want simple and portable food and drinks, such as sandwiches, you can also buy them at the supermarket next to the Hallstatt bus station.)

Note: This bus schedule is for the summer season. Please check with the bus stop for the latest information.

For more information, please visit the website.

http://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.com/en/dachstei...

I hope you enjoyed this review.

Thank you.

Jobby



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