Climbing in the Alps

When climbing, you move freely on the rock face or in the climbing gym - with a rope, belay partner and climbing equipment. This form requires technique, strength and good safety equipment.

When via ferrata climbing, you follow a fixed route with a steel cable, iron steps and stirrups. Here you are secured with a special via ferrata set, harness and helmet, while you attach yourself to the wire rope.

In the Schladming-Dachstein region, there are numerous climbing routes and via ferratas for beginners and pros - perfect for your mountain adventure.

In the Schladming-Dachstein region, certified mountain and alpine schools offer guided tours for all skill levels.

Among other things, you can choose from

• Beginners' courses for first steps on the rock
• Family and group tours on easy via ferratas
• Alpine climbing routes for experienced climbers
• Private tours with personal supervision
• Taster climbing days for children and young people

You can book guided tours directly at the mountain guide offices in Ramsau, Schladming or Gröbming as well as via schladming-dachstein.at.

This way you can get to know the most beautiful via ferratas in the region safely and with professional guidance.

Yes, the Schladming-Dachstein region offers many family-friendly via ferratas with easy difficulty and short walking times.

Particularly suitable for children and beginners:

• Kali via ferrata (A-B) - easy practice route for first attempts
• Kala via ferrata (B) - somewhat more challenging, ideal for families
• Kalo via ferrata (B-C) - varied with great views
• Sattelberg via ferrata area in Ramsau am Dachstein - perfect for training & fun

All routes are well secured and offer a unique mountain and nature experience on the Dachstein massif.

If you don't have your own equipment, you can conveniently hire everything you need on site.

Climbing harnesses, helmets and via ferrata sets are available from:

• Mandl Sport 2000 in Ramsau am Dachstein
• Mountain Shop Schladming by Irene Reingruber in the center of Schladming

Both stores offer high-quality climbing equipment for hire and can advise you on choosing the right equipment for your climbing or via ferrata adventure.

The via ferrata certificate is an official certificate that provides basic knowledge for safe climbing on via ferratas.

In the Schladming-Dachstein region, you can acquire it as part of a course with experienced mountain guides.

You will learn

• how to use the via ferrata set, harness and helmet correctly
• safety and climbing techniques on the rock
• the correct behavior on via ferratas and in alpine terrain
• the assessment of difficulty levels and dangers

Courses are regularly offered by mountain and alpine schools in Ramsau am Dachstein, Schladming and Haus im Ennstal.

Upon completion, you will receive a via ferrata certificate as proof of your training.

The Schladming-Dachstein region offers a selection of beautiful mountain lakes – some suitable for swimming, others strictly protected.

If you want to swim:

• Check in advance whether the lake is suitable for swimming or is protected.
• Be mindful of nature: be quiet, respect the shore areas, do not use soap or oil, and be careful when entering the water.
• Help preserve the purity of the lakes – for future generations.

Many hiking trails are dog-friendly, but there are exceptions—there may be restrictions, especially in nature reserves or on farmed alpine pastures with grazing livestock.

Dogs are not allowed on the following hikes:

• Alpinsteig Höll to Riesachsee
• End of the Obertal valley from Eschachalm (Duisitzkarsee / Keinprechthütte)
• Gumpental (Moaralmsee)
• Ramsauer Almengebiet (Neustattalm to Bachlalm)
• Sölktal (Trogermühle in Mössna towards Knallalm)

When hiking in Schladming-Dachstein, you will often encounter cows. To ensure that everything remains relaxed, please observe the following rules:

• Keep your distance
• Remain calm
• Do not run
• Do not provoke the animals
• Do not stroke the animals

Travelling with a dog?

• Always keep it on a short leash and lead it calmly.
• In case of danger: let go of the dog immediately, never pick it up – this will protect both you and your pet.

Not permitted without the consent of the forest owner:

• Camping after dark
• Tent camping
• Camping with caravans
• Spending the night in a vehicle

Alpine wasteland

• Freely accessible to tourists (above the tree line).
• Exception: agricultural areas such as alpine pastures – no free access there.

Nature reserves

• Camping and bivouacking are prohibited by law in nature reserves such as the Riesach Valley, Seewigtal Valley, or Klafferkessel.

Outside forests and alpine pastures

• The same applies here: camping is only permitted with the consent of the landowner.