Caves, trails on the Dachstein and Lake Hallstatt give a stay in Obertraun a variety of possible focuses. Those interested in the history of the Earth can explore caves and signposted themed trails; those who prefer spending time outdoors will find described hiking trails, a viewing platform and, in winter, a cross-country ski trail. Swimming in the lake is another option. When choosing a hotel in Obertraun, it may therefore help to first consider which of these sides of the village you want your trip to focus on.

Caves and the history of the Earth on the Dachstein

The Dachstein-Krippenstein cable car runs to the Ice Cave, the Mammoth Cave and the cave museum on the Schönbergalm. The first and second sections take you onwards to the Krippenstein at an altitude of 2,108 metres. The cable car’s operating hours vary by season and may change; check them, along with mountain conditions, before making plans.

The Dachstein Giant Ice Cave links several striking features: the route leads from the “Ice Palace” via the “Parsival Dome” to the “Great Iceberg”, an ice cone more than nine metres high. The cave experience also includes a suspension bridge and a light and sound show. The Mammoth Cave offers a different sense of scale: of the more than 70 kilometres of explored passages, about one kilometre can be visited on guided tours. The two caves thus offer different highlights—named features and a staged experience in one, the scale of the explored cave system and a guided section in the other.

The “Hike Through the History of the Earth” themed trail also brings the geological perspective to life. It runs for 550 metres from the Schönbergalm cable car station to the Mammoth Cave and presents 550 million years of Earth’s history. On the Dachstein Hiking World on the Krippenstein, 20 signposted stations at just under 2,000 metres above sea level tell the story of how the landscape was formed. The route is considered a hike for the whole family.

Trails with different destinations

The starting point for reaching the Koppenbrüller Cave is given as the “Koppenrast” inn at the end of Obertraun: from there, an easy hiking trail follows the Traun to the cave entrance in about 15 minutes. During guided tours, snowmelt or heavy rainfall can transform the dry streambed in the Simony Hall into a raging torrent within minutes. This is a striking natural phenomenon to encounter during a cave visit.

The Obertraun themed trail leads to the Koppenbrüller Cave and then through the Koppenwinkel to the Koppenwinkelalm. For a different kind of route, the Heilbronn Circular Hiking Trail offers views of the Dachstein massif and ends at the Gjaidalm. The approximate walking times to the cave from Koppenrast and from the cable car to the 5fingers platform refer to different sections and starting points: for 5fingers, about 25 minutes of easy walking is indicated after the cable car ride. These times do not each describe the duration of a full excursion.

In Obertraun, forest and meadow paths run partly along the Sarstein slope and partly through meadows, forests and floodplain woodland. Benches invite you to stop for a rest along the way. The 5fingers viewing platform adds a specific destination on the Krippenstein to routes like these. Check conditions before setting out on mountain hikes.

The lake, protected areas and the seasons

Swimming is possible at Obertraun’s sunny bathing beach on Lake Hallstatt, in the lake’s warmest bay. In winter, a cross-country ski trail runs through the Koppenwinkel nature reserve. Lake Koppenwinkel and the surrounding area have been protected since 1978; green floodplain woodland surrounds the lake. Activities therefore differ not only according to your interests but also according to the season: the lake and bathing area are part of the swimming experience, while the ski trail belongs to the winter landscape.

For a break along the way, the Dachstein in the Salzkammergut offers places to stop and enjoy regional specialities. The region around Hallstatt and Obertraun is described, in its cultural and natural dimensions, as a cultural and natural heritage of the highest international standing. If you are considering Obertraun as a place to stay, you can shape your trip around your own priorities: caves and the history of the Earth, trails with mountain views or the lakeside landscape offer different possibilities, without requiring a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Moosham, Gosau, Kogl, Ohlsdorf, Rußbach, Pinsdorf, Sankt Wolfgang Im Salzkammergut, Bad Goisern Am Hallstättersee.

Go to the main travel overview: Gmunden.