Description
5fingers observation platform on Krippenstein mountain is not for the faint-hearted. The spectacular viewing point near Dachstein mountain pokes into the 400m/1,312ft deep abyss like a hand with five fingers.
From Krippenstein mountain station, 5fingers is about 20 to 30 minutes' walking distance. On your way, information boards teach you about the fauna, flora, and geology of the area. Up on top, you get a great view over Lake Hallstättersee and the Salzkammergut. The platform's five planks are 4m/13ft long and 1m/3ft wide. One of them is made of glass, another one features a large baroque picture frame to get you a nice souvenir photo. As the 5fingers are illuminated until midnight, you can see them from afar even at night.
Apart from the 5fingers, the way to the pioneer cross leads past another observation platform, the World Heritage View above the lodge on Krippenstein. From there, you have a great view over Dachstein glacier.
How to get there
To get to 5fingers observation platfor, take the cablecar to the top station Krippenstein (Teilstrecke II), and walk on to the top.
To get to the Dachstein Krippenstein Lifts, follow B158 from Salzburg. Change onto B145 at Bad Ischl. Follow B166 for almost 6km/3.7mi and turn left onto Hallstättersee Landesstraße. Just before Traun, turn right to stay on Winkl, and continue to the base station.