Mountains of adventure for families in summer

One round-trip ride daily on a cable car in the region is included free of charge for holders of the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard. The 8-passenger gondola and quad chairlift “Quattralpina” on the Hauser Kaibling will also operate in summer this year for the very first time.

Power Duo: Sommercard & Summer Lifts

With more than 100 free holiday experiences and over 100 bonus services, the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard is one of the biggest all-inclusive cards in the Alps. Guests staying as little as one night at any of over 1000 participating accommodation providers between 29 May and 13 October 2019, will automatically receive this card. During your stay, the card includes use of mountain lifts, swimming lakes and pools, museums and public transportation throughout the region. If you think of mountain lifts in the Schladming-Dachstein Region, generally what first comes to mind is skiing in winter. However, even during the warmer months, nine of them will still be in operation. The popular ski mountains of winter will be transformed in summer into attractive mountains of adventure for the whole family. Sommercard holders get to enjoy one round-trip ride daily on the lift of their choosing included for free. Naturally, for hikers that means being able to avoid long, arduous climbs. The mountain terminals of these lifts are ideal starting points for hikes amid the summits. In addition to hiking enjoyment, in summertime our local mountains also boast an array of unique attractions:

Hauser Kaibling: a sheep theme path and, new as of this year, E-trials and disc golf 

The “Schafsinn” path circles the summit of the Hauser Kaibling. It informs you about the lives lived here by roughly 800 sheep, tended by a professional shepherd along with his sheepdogs. In addition to this path, other hiking paths lead from the Hauser Kaibling to the idyllic Moaralmsee, to the top of the Bärfallspitze as well as the striking Höchstein. In addition to the Schladminger Tauern gondola, on four days a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) the 8-passenger gondola as well as the connecting Quattralpina quad chairlift will also run this summer. With an E Trials Park, a disc-golf course, a children’s adventure path, more playgrounds and even a station for petting and feeding the sheep, the opportunities for an exciting family expedition to the Hauser Kaibling have grown significantly.

Planai: diverse, for families and summiteers

The Planai allows all of your summertime wishes to come true: hiking, mountain biking, the joys of Hopsiland, relaxation, or simply treating yourself to something good to eat. For a leisurely stroll, we suggest a walk along the Panorama Path around the summit, a path which, incidentally, is also suitable for prams. Ambitious hikers may decide to take on the neighboring mountain, the Krahbergzinken. If you are in the mood for a longer alpine tour, a hike along the Planai-Höhenweg will bring you to the Riesachsee and Preintalerhütte. Because summer 2019 sees the Planai gondola replaced by a new cable car, the Planai-West 8-passenger gondola will be operating instead. From the mountain terminal, a bus shuttle will run out to the Planaihof car park close to the summit.

Hochwurzen: scenic, with mountain go-carting and the new Bankerlweg

The Hochwurzen Summit Lift is a modern 10-passenger gondola that will carry guests to a popular starting point for hikes – as of 2019, also including the newly created “Bankerlweg”. Along this path, you will discover a wide variety of rest places, featuring around 20 different original, occasionally quite out-of-the-ordinary benches, including one for lovers, a family bench and a “sunset bench”, where you can take the weight off your feet and pause to savor the moment. If you prefer an exhilarating ride down the mountain, you might decide to rent a mountain go-cart. Equipped with disc brakes and wide tires, these funsport vehicles promise a ride along the Hochwurzenstraße you won’t soon forget.

Reiteralm: a “reflective” lake and the Three Summit Tour

Every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, the Preunegg Jet lift operates on the Reiteralm. From the mountain terminal, a very nicely maintained trail leads to “Mirror Lake”, famous for its beautiful reflection of the three prominent peaks of the Dachstein Massif on days whenever the wind is calm. If you decide to turn your visit to Mirror Lake into an extended hike, you can cross another three peaks off your alpine checklist in the form of the Gasselhöhe, Rippeteck and Schober. An interesting alternative for hikers is the “Silent Waters” theme path, which branches off the hiking path leading to Mirror Lake. Children are going to be thrilled to play with real snow thanks to the lovingly designed and created “Summer-Snow Playground” close to the mountain terminal of the Preunegg Jet.

Rittisberg: exciting, family-friendly

The Rittisberg in Ramsau am Dachstein is one of the most exciting mountain attractions in Styria. A popular excursion destination, it brings together a wide variety of highlights certain to appeal to the whole family. The opportunities range from the Flyline to a forest high-ropes course, archery, a Segway course and barefoot path, along with the all-weather Rittisberg Coaster. The hiking opportunities are also very family-friendly: Once you have reached the summit plateau using the Rittisbergbahn, you have several different hiking variants to choose from. Especially popular with the kids is the Fairytale Path, featuring approximately 30 different interactive stations certain to make this hike fun and exciting for youngsters and adults alike.

Dachstein: imposing, towering

Standing there alone, dominating the skyline and surrounding countryside, it is hardly surprising that the Dachstein is one of the most beautifully scenic mountains in the Alps. In fact, even the ride up there on the Dachstein Glacier Lift is a stunning panoramic experience in its own right. Floating towards the top in a glass-sided gondola, you will rise effortlessly over 1000 vertical meters. Attractions such as the Ice Palace, a suspension footbridge, the “Stairway to Nothingness” and the “Sky Walk” are all just a few minutes’ walk from the mountain terminal. Ambitious hikers have various tours to choose from, including out to the new Seethalerhütte or the Guttenberghaus.

Riesneralm: original, with Summit Pool

Two quad chairlifts, the Riesnerbahn and Krispenbahn, run in summer from Friday through Monday. Both mountain terminals are also trailheads for a series of tours through an expansive hiking area that is particularly popular with lovers of nature and the outdoors. After your hike, you might consider taking a refreshing dip in the Summit Pool; one of many memorable experiences and attractions awaiting you on the Riesneralm, that might also include an extended refreshment break enjoyed on the Hochsitz viewing platform.