© Panoramic view of the Dachstein Salzkammergut (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)
Panoramic view of the Holiday Region Dachstein Salzkammergut (photo: Sven Posch / www.viewnect.com)

Holiday Region
Dachstein Salzkammergut

Search
Search
Close

Via ferrata Donnerkogel

 Interactive elevation profile

Download GPS data
Create PDF

Tour-Details

Starting place: 4824 Gosau
Destination: 4824 Gosau

duration: 3h 30m
length: 1,1 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 470m
Altitude difference (downhill): 34m

Lowest point: 1.582m
Highest point: 2.054m
difficulty: difficult
condition: difficult
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Climbing mount

powered by TOURDATA

The via ferrata on the "Donnewrkogel" is accessible from the middle of June till the middle of Oktober.

The via Ferrata Donnerkogel featuring the "Ladder to heaven" is definitely one of the most beautiful ferratas in the Salzkammergut

The attraction stairway to heaven here in Gosau at Dachstein, is part of the via ferrata Donnerkogel, which is between the Zwieselalm Area and the summit of the Donnerkogel.

The hike to the via ferrata is not long it just takes about 15 Minutes from the top station of the Gosaukammbahn, the climb itself takes between 3 and 4 hours depending on you speed and experience in climbing via ferratas.
Total time with descent between 5 and 6 hours.

The via Ferrata is graded C/D, very difficult, on the via Ferrata scale, climbers have to be experienced when doing it. Hiking down from the top of Donnerkogel will last for about 1 ½ hours. If you are a beginner, it is definitely recommeded for you to take a guided tour, by one of our mountain guides.

Route description via ferrata Donnerkogel

1st stage: From the entrance, climb briefly to a corner (B/C). A beautiful traverse of slabs (A/B) leads to a straddle (B/C). This is followed by the steep and challenging "Kaiser-Verschneidung" (C/D), one of the two key sections. Then left onto an earthy strip (A and A/B) and to another, somewhat more difficult slab traverse (C). Around a corner it goes to the "Enzianwand" (B/C). The trail leads up through the mountain pines in a zigzag course and then to a saddle on the left. There is an emergency exit (down on the right). The "Ziehkögelgrat" (max. A/B) is reached via two ladders (B, briefly C in between). At the end of the 1st stage there is another emergency exit (down to the right).

2nd stage: In the section "Long live the hunt" you first cross to the left (A/B). This is followed by some ladders laid on the ground (A). Another traverse (A) is followed by some upturns (B). After the "Gamsband" (A) you have to climb down a bit in the earthy-slippery terrain (A/B). Then the long traverse climbs again (A/B, short section B/C) and meets the 40-metre giant ladder. At the ladder, you can exit to easy terrain and bypass the "Donnermandl" or climb down to the descent path (emergency descent). The highlight is of course the 40-metre giant ladder, on which you can climb directly over to the "Donnermandl" easily (B) but very exposed and therefore considered by many to be more difficult.

Stage 3 without the giant ladder: After a short walking area (emergency descent to the right), there is a short traverse (A/B and C) and the steep and very exposed ascent - where the 40-metre giant ladder also docks with the "Donnermandl" - (first C/D, then easier) to the "Donnermandl" (1,920 m). This is the second key section of the climb (this must also be mastered by giant ladder climbers). Afterwards, briefly climb down into a saddle (B). The 3rd stage can also be bypassed.

Stage 4: Quite steep up the former "Preuß route" via the northwest ridge (C). Soon the ridge becomes flatter and wider (B). The exit is reached after overcoming individual steep steps (A/B and A).

Safely on the via ferrata!
Tour planning:

  • A requirement for every climbing tour is an accurate tour planning with a via ferrata guide and map.
  • Pay attention to the levels of difficulty of the via ferrata and do not overestimate your ability!
  • Find out about the weather situation and the current conditions for the ascent and descent.
  • Draw up a timetable for the ascent, via ferrata, descent and always plan a time reserve for possible emergencies.


Note in bad weather:

  • Via ferrata routes are dangerous in bad weather, as the wire rope anchorages can become lightning rods.
  • Information on the current Dachstein weather can be found at Dachstein weather forecast.
  • In spring, you have to reckon with leftover snow on the via ferrata.


Make sure you use the right equipment:

  • Check your equipment for safety defects before every climbing tour!
  • The complete climbing equipment consists of: Helmet, chest harness, seat harness and carabiners, via ferrata gloves, climbing shoes and suitable climbing clothing.
  • Take emergency equipment with you: First aid kit, bivouac sack, mobile phone!


Via ferrata ascent:

  • You should only climb via ferratas if you are familiar with your equipment and know how to use it.
  • Partner check before you start! Check each other's equipment to make sure it is complete and correctly fitted.
  • During the climb, always keep an eye on the weather, your physical condition and the time schedule.
  • Watch out for other climbers and plan time for overtaking.
  • You can also find important tips for tour planning and behaviour on the via ferrata in the "Alpenvereinaktiv-App".
  • Don't subordinate everything to the entry in the summit book or the completion of a tour - have the courage to break off or turn back!

In case of emergency call the mountain rescue under 140

Download the via ferrata guide of Bad Goisern, Gosau at Dachstein, Hallstatt and Obertraun.


Experience a 360° panorama tour on the Zwieselalm…

Starting point: Zwieselalm-Gosaukammbahn
Destination: Zwieselalm-Gosaukammbahn

Details - climbing mount
  • difficulty acc. to Kurt Schall: difficult (C)
  • Hop off description: Access about 30 minutes from the Gosaukamm cable car mountain station on trail 611 to the "Törleggsattel", from here descend a few metres to the entrance on the left.
  • Hop on description: From the summit of the "Großer Donnerkogel", descend trail 628 and follow the markings to the "Törleggsattel", from here follow trail 611 to the Gosaukamm cable car mountain station.
  • duration climbing mount: 3 h
  • duration Descent: 2 h

The Donnerkogel via ferrata with the Himmelsleiter is open throughout the summer months and accessible in dry and sunny weather.

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 - Stainach-Irdning lines
Arrival by train in "Steeg / Gosau" then continue with bus 541/542 in the direction Gosausee
 
By bus
Bus 470 (Abtenau - Gosau) direction Gosau, stop Gosau Abzw. Pass Gschütt
Bus 541/542 (Bad Ischl - Gosausee) direction Gosausee, stops Haltestelle: Gosau Klaushof, Gosau Bärnausiedlung, Gosau  Ressenbachweg, Gosau Vordertal B166, Gosau Ramsau B166, Gosau, Gemeindeamt, Abzw. Pass Gschütt, 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 https://www.oebb.at/en/ (train) and https://www.postbus.at/en(bus).

Parking
  • Parking space: 200
  • Parking area for disabled: 4
  • Bus parking space: 4
Travelling by public transport
Route planner for independent travellers
General price information

Prices for the Gosaukammbahn can be found at www.dachstein.at

  • Free entry
  • Suitable for single travelers
  • Suitable for friends
  • Suitable for couples
Other special suitabilities

Only climbable at very good weather conditions.

Most economical season
  • Summer
  • Autumn

Please get in touch for more information.


Via ferrata Donnerkogel
Dachstein Tourismus AG
4825 Gosau

Phone +43 5 95095 - 20
E-Mail gosau@dachstein-salzkammergut.at
Web www.dachstein.at
Web www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at
https://www.dachstein.at
https://www.dachstein-salzkammergut.at

You can also visit us on

Visit us on Facebook Visit us on Instagram Visit us on Pinterest Visit our videochannel on YouTube Wikipedia

We speak the following languages

German
English

Vis-à-vis users

1. The tours presented for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc. are to be considered non-paid tour recommendations and only serve as non-binding information. We have no intention of concluding a contract with the users of this website. The utilisation of the data does not lead to the establishment of a contract with us.

 

The data may only be used for private use; any commercial use is prohibited. In particular, it is not permissible to offer the data on commercially run websites, file-sharing platforms etc. or to use it to develop commercial products. Downloading data does not imply that users are granted rights to the data concerned.

 

The tour recommendations posted were created with utmost care; nevertheless, we assume no liability for the correctness and completeness of the information.

 

We point out that neither the tour recommendations included on this website nor the associated data and information were posted by us, but rather by third parties (Art. 16 Austrian E-Commerce Act). We have no influence on whether the details provided (e.g. distance, level of difficulty, change in altitude, description etc.) are authentic, correct and complete. We do not review these third-party contents. For this reason, we assume no liability for the authenticity, correctness and completeness of the information.

 

Construction-related measures or other influences (e.g. landslides and similar occurrences) can lead to temporary or permanent changes in a route (e.g. loss of a bridge and similar occurrences). Such occurrences can lead to part of the route or the entire route becoming impassable.

 

The use of the data as well as undertaking (riding, walking, taking etc.) the recommended tours or using the network of paths occurs at users’ own risk and on their authority. In particular, users themselves are responsible for the choice of route, outdoor orientation, adherence to traffic rules, supplies and equipment for tours listed in Point 1 (e.g. bicycle etc.), wearing a helmet, estimating their own fitness, recognising dangers and maintaining an appropriate velocity. We exclude ourselves from any liability whatsoever for damages, in particular accidents, that occur whilst taking part in the recommended tours.

 

2.Some of the tours lead over roads with normal traffic conditions. Please observe that there is an increased risk which can be avoided by means of appropriate attention and proper estimation and implementation of one’s own abilities. For this reason, please travel a route that is unfamiliar to you slowly and with special care. Pay constant attention to potential dangers and always observe traffic. Do not leave the routes featured in descriptions.

 

The potential use of private roads, in particular forestry roads and agricultural transport roads, can be subject to legal restrictions, which must be observed and adhered to.

 

The normal traffic rules apply. Each user (e.g. biker, motorbiker) is responsible for adhering to these rules and maintaining his/her bike/vehicle and its equipment (lights, brakes etc.) in good working order. Each user is also responsible for ensuring that he/she rides at a velocity that is appropriate for the conditions and his/her skill level and for maintaining sufficient distance to the rider in front. We explicitly recommend adjusting velocity to correspond to the respective field of vision, wearing a helmet, using reflective clothing (or similar) and employing bicycle lights in line with regulations.

 

3.Each tour requires good physical fitness as well as detailed planning. We explicitly recommend only taking the tours in the case of optimal healthiness.

 

We recommend that you conclude an accident and liability insurance policy. Use an onboard computer that displays the respective kilometres travelled per day and is calibrated for the front wheel.

 

4.Special for mountain bikers – Fair-play rules:

 

Mountain biking is one of the most wonderful outdoor leisure-time activities. Whilst biking or on a mountain biking tour, mountains and lakes, meadows and cabins are re-discovered in new ways. A couple of rules for fair play in the forest help to avoid conflicts whilst mountain biking.

 

a.Pedestrians have the right of way: We are accommodating and friendly to pedestrians and hikers. Upon encountering these fellow travellers, we alert them by using the bicycle bell and slowly overtake them. We avoid paths with heavy pedestrian traffic altogether. Take nature into account: We do not leave refuse behind.

b.The braking distance should be half of the total distance visible: We ride at a controlled pace, are ready to brake and maintain a braking distance half as long as the total distance visible, especially in curves, because we always have to count on obstacles on the path. Damage to the path, stones, branches, wood piles, grazing livestock, cattle grids, barriers, tractor-type forestry machines and authorised vehicles pose dangers that we need to be ready for.

c.Don’t drink and drive!: Do not drink alcohol when mountain biking. Take care at stop-off points (dealing with bike racks, dirty shoes or clothing).

It is obligatory to provide first aid!

d.Marked routes, closed paths and blockades: Keep to the marked routes, observe the blockades and accept that these roads are primarily for agricultural and forestry use!

Blockades can often not be avoided and are in your own interest. Biking beyond the intended path and outside of opening times is punishable and turns us into illegal bikers.

e.We are guests in the forest and behave accordingly, including vis-à-vis forestry and hunting staff. Whilst mountain biking, mobile telephones and music players are forbidden! Biking requires your full attention.

f.Avoid unnecessary noise. Out of consideration to the animals living in the wild, we only bike during full daylight. As a principle, we always wear our helmet (even when riding uphill)! Don’t forget emergency supplies: We always have a repair set and bandages along.

g.Don’t overestimate your skills: We should not overdo it when it comes to biking technique and physical fitness. Take the level of difficulty posed by the route into consideration and make a precise estimate of your experience and skills as a biker (braking, bell, lights)!

h.Close gates: We approach grazing livestock at a walking pace and close every gate behind us. We should avoid causing escape and panic reactions in the animals. Nothing stands in the way of the fun and athletic challenge in the mountains and forests!

i.Traffic rules: The general traffic rules (StVO) apply for all the mountain biking routes and we adhere to them. Our bike therefore needs to be in perfect technical condition and equipped in line with the traffic rules, including brakes, a bell and lights. We inspect and service our mountain bikes regularly anyway.

 

5.We assume no liability for the contents of external websites; in particular, we assume no liability for their statements and contents. Moreover, we have no influence on the design or contents of the websites to which hyperlinks on dachstein.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to dachstein.salzkammergut.at. There is no on-going review of websites to which hyperlinks on dachstein.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to dachstein.salzkammergut.at. We do not appropriate the contents of websites to which hyperlinks on dachstein.salzkammergut.at lead or from which hyperlinks lead to dachstein.salzkammergut.at.

 

Vis-à-vis bloggers

PLEASE OBSERVE:

1. Each of your tour recommendations for hiking, walking, biking and road biking, mountain biking, motorbiking, horseback riding, climbing, cross-country skiing, and going on skiing and snowshoe tours etc., along with other details and information, is free of charge. In particular regarding the correctness of the information, we assume no liability, nor do we assume any liability whatsoever for the consequences of the use of your tour recommendation by a third party (in particular by a user of this website). We do not review the tour recommendations you post, including other details and information, at any time.

We have no intention of concluding a contract with persons who post tour recommendations and/or other details and information on this website. Posting data (information) does not imply that a contract has been concluded.

By recommending a tour, we assume special responsibility vis-à-vis other athletes. Please take this responsibility seriously and describe your tour recommendation with utmost care and to the best of your knowledge and belief.

 

2.Your tour recommendations must therefore clearly and unambiguously include at least the following criteria and provide a sufficiently detailed description:

• Starting point

• Detailed route description

• Distance/Overall distance 

• Level of difficulty

• Dangerous spots

• Average duration of trip

• Change in altitude

• Finishing point.

If possible, please provide the change in altitude.

 

3.When you post a tour recommendation, you give us the order to save your tour recommendation and/or the details you provide on our website and to make it/them accessible to third parties, in particular to users of this website, in the long term. We reserve the right to block or delete tour recommendations and/or other details and/or information that you post, either partially or entirely, at any time without providing a justification. Should this occur, it grants you no rights whatsoever.

Thank you for your efforts!

 

4. We are not responsible for the contents of external websites; in particular, we do not assume any liability for their statements or contents. Furthermore, we do not influence the design or contents of websites that can be accessed from dachstein.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to dachstein.salzkammergut.at. The websites that can be accessed from dachstein.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to dachstein.salzkammergut.at are not regularly monitored. Furthermore, we do not assume any claims to the websites that can be accessed from dachstein.salzkammergut.at via hyperlinks or that use hyperlinks to refer to dachstein.salzkammergut.at.

 Interactive elevation profile

Download GPS data
Create PDF

Tour-Details

Starting place: 4824 Gosau
Destination: 4824 Gosau

duration: 3h 30m
length: 1,1 km
Altitude difference (uphill): 470m
Altitude difference (downhill): 34m

Lowest point: 1.582m
Highest point: 2.054m
difficulty: difficult
condition: difficult
panoramic view: Dreamtour

Paths covering:
Climbing mount

powered by TOURDATA