Five Fingers viewpoint near Hallstatt in Austria!
The Five Fingers viewpoint is a stunning lookout point located on Mount Krippenstein in the Dachstein Mountains of Upper Austria, just a few km outside of Hallstatt. It offers incredible views of Lake Hallstatt, the Dachstein Mountains. The viewpoint is free and easily accessible by cable car from the Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn parking lot.
Hallstatt in Austria is one of the most beautiful places in the world and a must-visit destination for any traveler. But what makes it even more attractive is the nearby Five Fingers viewpoint, which offers an unparalleled view of the area and is one of the most stunning sights in the country. Let’s explore the Five Fingers viewpoint and all the wonderful things to see and do in the area.
What is Five Fingers viewpoint?
The Five Fingers is a stunning lookout point with incredible views of the stunning Lake Hallstatt and mountains. The viewpoint is on a cliff face, and from this vantage point, visitors can see five different fingers of land that jut out into the lake below. The viewpoint also offers spectacular views of the Dachstein Mountains and Hallstatt Lake, and it is the perfect spot to take in the breathtaking scenery of the area.
Five Fingers is a free viewing platform in the Dachstein Mountains of Upper Austria, on Mount Krippenstein. It was named “5 Fingers” by virtue of its hand-like shape. Amazing place, which offers an adrenaline rush at the highest level. This is probably the most spectacular viewing platform in the Alps and reaches out like a hand over the 400 m drop. The viewing platform is less than a 20-minute walk from the Krippenstein Station of the Dachstein cable car line.
Design
5 platforms (the 5fingers), each in a different design, the visitor can put his head for heights to the testand enjoy unique views down over Hallstatt, the Hallstättersee lake and the inner Salzkammergut region. The individual fingers, which are approximately 4 m (13 ft) long fingers, are built over a precipice of about 400 m (1,300 ft) depth.
The fingers have different features such as a telescope and a glass floor. The 5 different levels, each 4 x 1 m in size, offer spectacular insight and views. One of the platforms is made entirely from glass and another enables visitors to gain their own personal view of the Hallstatt World Heritage site through a large Baroque picture frame.
The observation deck is illuminated until midnight. Therefore you can see it from far and wide, even at night. It is even visible from Hallstatt and Obertraun. On the way to the 5fingers you learn on information boards much about Fauna, Flora and the Geology at Dachstein Krippenstein.
General information
The amazing panoramas from the Five Fingers viewpoint start at the parking lot in Obertraun at the Hallstatt lake, from where the “Krippenstein-Seilbahn” cable car runs. This is one of the most sought-after destinations in Upper Austria.
Opening hours – SUMMER
Opening hours:
First climb at 8:40! Cable cars run continuously, every 15 minutes!
30.04.-01.07. last at 4.50pm
02.07.-11.09. last at 6.50pm
12.09.-06.11. last at 4.50pm8.30 do 16.50
Cable cars run every 15 minutes (every 15 minutes)!
Visitor can find current information on the WEBSITE: Dachstein Krippenstein
Opening hours – WINTER
Winter season: 24/12/2022 to 10/04/2023
Freesports Arena Dachstein Krippenstein is open daily from December 24, 2022 to Easter Monday, April 10, 2023 in winter 2022/2023*!
1st Section 1: from 8:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m
2nd Section 2: from 8:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m
3rd Section 3: from 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
Cable cars run every 15 minutes (every 15 minutes)!
Lift equipment: from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Slopes closed: 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Parking: free at the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car station
My day at Dachstein Krippenstein
How to Get to the Five Fingers from Hallstatt
The Five Fingers viewpoint is located just few km outside of Hallstatt, and it is easily accessible by car, bus or you can even walk there. To get to the Five fingers from Hallstatt, simply go around lake Hallstatt to the Obertraun Dachsteinseilbahn parking lot. From there, you can take the cable car top of the mountain Krippenstein. The journey takes about 15 minutes, and you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful views of the region. If you prefer to safe some money and hike, its challenging but possible. It is about 9-10km (5-6miles), but 1500m(4500ft) up.
Five fingers webcams
Visitor can find webcams of the area on these pages:
Webcams 5 Fingers Plattform am Krippenstein bei Obertraun • Livecams (tourispo.at)
Web cams | Dachstein Krippenstein (dachstein-salzkammergut.com)
Things to see around Five fingers
1. Dachstein shark from 5 fingers
The Dachstein shark is the latest attraction on the Heilbronn circular trail. Almost view into the pre-historic past of the Dachstein massif. Discover primeval hunter in the midst of what was its hunting area in days gone by. Today popular backdrop for taking a photo.
The 8 m long Dachstein shark – Deubler company created it in Bad Goisern. It is even inside accessible and possibly walkable. After going up the ladder, visitor can take a look at Dachstein’s early sea bed from the jaws of the shark.
The Dachstein shark demonstrates that the Dachstein massif was itself covered by sea water millions of
years ago and there was even a pre-historic shark at that time – it has been called the ice shark. During a hike on the Heilbronn circular trail, from the mountain station for the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car which takes you up to 2100 metres altitude, right up to the Dachstein shark, there are still a lot of fossils,
fossilised crustaceans and deposits in the rocks from the primordial ocean today, giving visitors a glimpse
into the pre-historic past of Dachstein and how it came into being.
Reviews of Dachstein shark
- A beautiful circular route around the five fingers, also suitable for children. The snow transitions are a nice addition.
- So yes, a shark in the Alps, another walking option from the Krippenstein cable car station. For children, it is a nice climbing frame, a nice view and an experience when the weather is nice
- One of the slightly bizarre viewpoints, but who wouldn’t want to look at the Hallstatt valley from the mouth of a metal shark… Free of course. 🙂
2. Welterbespirale – World Heritage Spiral
2,100 m high Krippensteinpeak observation point with boat-shaped aluminum platform and wooden deck chairs. View on all sides. A very nicely built free lookout. This is World Heritage Spiral, in German language Welterbespirale. There is a paved path here, it is ideal even for less experienced tourists. I recommend visiting early in the morning before there are many tourists.
Reviews of Welterbespirale
- Breathtaking views! Even though there were more tourists, it is definitely worth it.
- A wonderful view and the surrounding peaks of the Alps
3. Heilbronn Chapel
As the last but not the least do not forget to see Heilbronn Chapel.
Heilbronn Chapel is a beautiful small Church located near the viewing platform 5 fingers.
- A beautiful chapel set in nature. It stands out at first glance. It is halfway from the cable car towards 5 fingers.
- Small chapel in front of the impressive backdrop of the Dachstein massif. There’s something sublime about that.
A beautiful chapel set in nature. It stands out at first glance. It is halfway from the cable car towards 5 fingers.
Five fingers in winter
Not only in summer you can visit this place but also in winter it attracts you. Without a doubt in winter it is completely different experience. Since there might be a lot of snow, you rather check if you need snowshoes or not. In general, the way from the cable car is usually accessible. See how we enjoyed Dachstein Krippenstein in winter.
Where to eat at Five fingers?
Where to sleep at Five fingers?
Would you like to check other viewpoints in Hallstatt.
