--- title: European nature reserve Dachstein url: "https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/430026587/european-nature-reserve.html" description: The European nature reserve Dachstein offers great destinations and activities for summer and winter. date: 2012-06-19 modified: 2026-03-06 --- # European nature reserve Dachstein European nature reserve ========================= Gosau, Oberösterreich, Österreich ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/201074/74992249E5FF8F43250CB9735F5FE1188F31D9C81D913D0CF3BAF3AF2EA0265D/gosausee-mit-blick-auf-den-dachstein.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/225697/BC67E2506F1B39FE8D8997FD8D049059FAE483CDC90874AB13A0AE500A5709A1/gosaukamm.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/225709/42370BEE567528110A831D84AACBD6F6EDC0E25F2AE1F2EE315FC3C8F509A144/der-vordere-gosausee.jpg) © Open copyright © RudiKainPhotografie Close copyright [ ![The Vorderen Gosausee with the fantastic panorama of the Dachstein with its glacier.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/201074/74992249E5FF8F43250CB9735F5FE1188F31D9C81D913D0CF3BAF3AF2EA0265D/gosausee-mit-blick-auf-den-dachstein.jpg "© RudiKainPhotografie") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/201074/74992249E5FF8F43250CB9735F5FE1188F31D9C81D913D0CF3BAF3AF2EA0265D/gosausee-mit-blick-auf-den-dachstein.jpg) © Open copyright © Julia Rabl Close copyright [ ![Evening atmosphere in Gosau at Dachstein.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225697/BC67E2506F1B39FE8D8997FD8D049059FAE483CDC90874AB13A0AE500A5709A1/gosaukamm.jpg "© Julia Rabl") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225697/BC67E2506F1B39FE8D8997FD8D049059FAE483CDC90874AB13A0AE500A5709A1/gosaukamm.jpg) © Open copyright © Julian Elliott Phtography Close copyright [ ![The Lake Gosau with the view on the Gosau glacier.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225709/42370BEE567528110A831D84AACBD6F6EDC0E25F2AE1F2EE315FC3C8F509A144/der-vordere-gosausee.jpg "© Julian Elliott Phtography") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225709/42370BEE567528110A831D84AACBD6F6EDC0E25F2AE1F2EE315FC3C8F509A144/der-vordere-gosausee.jpg) © Open copyright © 360perspektiven Close copyright [ ![Aerial view of the glacier from a helicopter](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225710/BE88B413511C1A3EE843D4D8EF9EC9DFA4189A84BE44E2085C46ADBCB77D2A17/die-luftansicht-auf-den-gletscher.jpg "© 360perspektiven") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225710/BE88B413511C1A3EE843D4D8EF9EC9DFA4189A84BE44E2085C46ADBCB77D2A17/die-luftansicht-auf-den-gletscher.jpg) © Open copyright © RudiKainPhotografie Close copyright [ ![View of the sunset behind the glacier.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225711/6DC32FB1AADC0312F2B7901A310B98B2C3DA5289628A1E97614B2F22B9FD316E/sonnenuntergang-am-vorderen-gosausee.jpg "© RudiKainPhotografie") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225711/6DC32FB1AADC0312F2B7901A310B98B2C3DA5289628A1E97614B2F22B9FD316E/sonnenuntergang-am-vorderen-gosausee.jpg) © Open copyright © Julia Rabl Close copyright [ ![Beautiful view on the Upper Lake Gosau.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225712/E1127C5F43CEC505FECB796BD2D3D592635D9DB9ACF06546E14BE35809B72ABA/hinterer-gosausee.jpg "© Julia Rabl") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225712/E1127C5F43CEC505FECB796BD2D3D592635D9DB9ACF06546E14BE35809B72ABA/hinterer-gosausee.jpg) © Open copyright © RudiKainPhotografie Close copyright [ ![The snow - covered Gosaukamm.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225713/428ECF6116F761F5D4AE7227277F30D96938E9C27A035D80604BCA1D43564D06/gosaukamm-im-winter.jpg "© RudiKainPhotografie") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225713/428ECF6116F761F5D4AE7227277F30D96938E9C27A035D80604BCA1D43564D06/gosaukamm-im-winter.jpg) © Open copyright © Stefanie Wallner Close copyright [ ![The Dachstein view from the skiregion Dachstein West](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225714/CB5355E3514996AA5F37E99C02FB2F7052D7782FCAE75BD0C579BC20E98425F0/dachsteinblick.jpg "© Stefanie Wallner") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225714/CB5355E3514996AA5F37E99C02FB2F7052D7782FCAE75BD0C579BC20E98425F0/dachsteinblick.jpg) © Open copyright © Berghasen Close copyright [ ![The summit cross at the glacier in winter.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/225715/605367A0F753CF634A98EE3B3E66E817C75148957167E7FE73F3BDF16335ECD1/das-gipfelkreuz-am-dachsteingletscher.jpg "© Berghasen") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/225715/605367A0F753CF634A98EE3B3E66E817C75148957167E7FE73F3BDF16335ECD1/das-gipfelkreuz-am-dachsteingletscher.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Gosau 4825 Gosau [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Gosau%2C%204825%20Gosau "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Gosau%2C%204825%20Gosau "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&lat=47.5851071&lon=13.5362156&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&zoom=2000&server=meta.tourdata.at) **The Dachstein glacier is the highest mountain in Upper Austria at an altitude of almost 3,000 metres above sea level. At the same time, it is the prominent centre of a unique and sensitive alpine karst landscape, which enjoys the status of a European nature reserve.** The Dachstein Glacier --------------------- A total area of 13.300 hectares on the northern, Upper Austrian side of the Dachstein is under protection. Whoever walks through this area will find different **landscapes** depending on the altitude. In the extensive **forest areas** of the lower regions of the protected area, coniferous forests of **spruce, fir and larch dominate**, about 1.200 metres above sea level. The closer the tree line gets, the more the **Swiss stone pine** begins to gain the upper hand in the forest. Beyond 1.900 metres more and more **mountain pine bushes**, **alpine roses** and other **shrubs** take over the alpine terrain. In the increasingly rocky terrain, a very impressive mountain vegetation with numerous alpine flowers has established itself under these extreme living conditions. The **karstic plateau** below the Dachstein peak, with it is **sinkholes**, **erratic blocks**, **moraines** and **cart fields**, is an exceptional example of a high alpine landscape cut out of the limestone by the glaciers. The Dachstein with its existing glaciers ultimately towers above it as the highest region of the protected area. Dachstein Caves ---------------- The cave systems of the Dachstein massif are the underground proof of the enormous creative power of water and ice. The [Mammoth Cave](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/401363/mammoth-cave.html?utm_source=tourdata&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=tourdata), the [Giant Ice Cave](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/400756/dachstein-giant-ice-cave.html?utm_source=tourdata&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=tourdata) and, in the valley area in [Obertraun](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000976/obertraun-on-lake-hallstatt.html?utm_source=tourdata&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=tourdata), the [Koppenbrüller Cave](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/en/highlights-obertraun/oesterreich-poi/detail/401672/koppenbruellercavenearobertraun.html?utm_source=tourdata&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=tourdata), through which water still actively flows, have been adapted for visitors. [**Experience a 360° panorama tour through Gosau valley…**](https://dachstein-panorama.at/?startscene=27&startactions=lookat(19.49,5.61,100.3,0,0);) [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **European nature reserve** Gosau 4825 Gosau Phone +43 6136 8821Show no. E-Mail [gemeinde@gosau.ooe.gv.at](#mailto) Web [www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/](https://www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/ "New window") https://www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/ https://www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/ --- **You can also visit us on** [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/dachsteinsalzkammergut) [ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/visitdachsteinsalzkammergut) [ TikTok ](https://www.tiktok.com/@visitdachstein) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/dachsteinsalzkammergut) [ YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/user/dachsteinskg) [ Wikipedia ](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosau)--- **Contact person** Mr Markus Schmaranzer Gemeinde Gosau Vordertalstraße 30 4825 Gosau Phone +43 6136 8821 - 10Show no. E-Mail [bgm@gosau.ooe.gv.at](#mailto) Web [www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/](https://www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/ "New window") --- **Legal contact information** Gemeinde Gosau Markus Schmaranzer Vordertalstraße 30 AT-4824 Gosau bgm@gosau.ooe.gv.at https://www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/ UID: ATU23414204 --- **We speak the following languages** German English [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten) ------------------------------------------------ - always open (24/7) - opened daily - open to the public [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Elevation**767 m **Accessibility / arrival****by car** **from Salzburg:** Motorway exit Golling via B162 Abtenau and B166 to Gosau **from Linz:** Motorway exit Regau on Salzkammergut street B145 towards Gmunden and Bad Ischl to Bad Goisern, in Bad Goisern turn right onto B166, at the Gosaumühle junction turn right towards Gosau **from Vienna/Graz:** Motorway exit Liezen on the B320, in Trautenfels turn on Salzkammergut street B145 to Bad Aussee, turn on Koppen street through Obertraun and Hallstatt, at the Gosaumühle junction turn left towards Gosau **from Villach:** Tauern motorway to exit “Eben im Pongau”, via the B166 Pass Gschütt federal road to Gosau **by train** Attnang-Puchheim - Steinach-Irdning lines Arrival by train in "Steeg / Gosau" then continue with bus 542 in the direction Gosausee **By bus** Bus 470 (Abtenau - Gosau) direction Gosau, stop Gosau Abzw. Pass Gschütt Bus 542 (Bad Ischl - Gosausee) direction Gosausee, stops Haltestelle: Gosau Klaushof, Gosau Bärnausiedlung, Gosau Ressenbachweg, Gosau Vordertal B166, Gosau Ramsau B166, Gosau, Gemeindeamt, Abzw. Pass Gschütt, Hauptstraße, Gosau Wirtsweg, Gosau Leitenweg, Gosau Schüttmannweg, Mittertal b. Gosau Ort, Mittertal, Hornspitzlift, Hintertal b. Gosau Falmbach, Hintertal b. Gosau Mühlradl, Hintertal b. Gosau Ort, Hintertal b. Gosau Madlgasse, Hintertal b. Gosau Schmiedweg, Hintertal b. Gosau Freilichtmuseum,Hintertal b. Gosau Zwieselalmbahn (Panoramajet), Hintertal b. Gosau Gosaukammbahn Detailed information on the respective train and bus times can be found at (train) and (bus). [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - All weather - Suitable for groups - Suitable for schools - Suitable for teenagers - Suitable for seniors - Suitable for single travelers - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples - Suitable for children **Season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. [To the website](https://www.gosau.ooe.gv.at/ "New window") powered by [TOURDATA](https://www.tourdata.at "New window") [ ![TOURDATA Logo](https://dachstein.salzkammergut.at/fileadmin/templates/global/images/Logo-Tourdata.png "TOURDATA Logo") ](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")