Via ferrata Seewand (Dachstein Mountains)

Via ferrata Seewand – this hiking was part of a 2-week trip in Europe (August 2016).

Seewand Klettersteig is a challenging via ferrata in the Dachstein Mountains. It offers breathtaking views over Hallstatt (Hallstätter See) and Inner Salzkammergut.

⚠️Via ferrata (“iron path”) is a protected climbing route that consists of steel cable rails fixed to the rock and metal steps. It can also be built with ladders or suspension bridges. Via ferratas were first used during the World War I to get between mountains to avoid climbing an inaccessible ridge. They first appeared in the Dolomites, Italy.

⚠️When doing the outdoor activity called via ferrata, you have two carabiners clipped onto the steel cable and you climb the mountain in a safe way without necessarily being an expert in climbing. The carabiners are attached to a lanyard which is installed on a harness. A helmet is mandatory for protecting your head from falling rocks and gloves are optionally, but they will protect your hands from the friction with the steel cable and give you a better grip.

Via ferrata Seewand – technical details

• level of difficulty D/E;
• climbing time 4-6h;
• elevation gain 800m/2624ft;
• difficult, steep, exposed;
• starting point at Parkplatz Hohwiesen (Kesselgründe) – public bathing area between Hallstatt and Obertraun; then follow the footpath that leads to Hirschaualm in ~40mins; that is the point where the ascent begins for the next 4-6h – via ferrata topography below; the final section is a marked trail that leads you in ~40mins to Gjaidalm mountain hut; then you can take the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car back down or descend on foot for about 3-4h;

Seewandklettersteig(topography)

⚠️Via ferrata not suitable for beginners and children!

⚠️The time of the last Dachstein Krippenstein cable car: 17h00 in peak season, otherwise 16h30.Photos in chronological order

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