{{short description|Mountain in Austria}} {{Redirect|Dachstein|the French commune|Dachstein, Bas-Rhin}} {{more citations needed|date=February 2013}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Hoher Dachstein | image = Hoher Dachstein5830.JPG | image_caption = Hoher Dachstein summit | elevation_m = 2995 | elevation_ref = <ref name="peaklist">[http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/EuroCoreP1500m.html "Europe Ultra-Prominences"]. Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2026-01-25.</ref> | prominence_m = 2136 | prominence_ref = <ref name="peaklist"/><br /><small>[[List of Alpine peaks by prominence|Ranked 8th in the Alps]]</small> | listing = [[Ultra prominent peak|Ultra]] | map = Austria | map_caption = Austria | translation = high roof stone | language = [[German language|German]] | pronunciation = {{IPA|de|ˈhoːɐ̯ ˈdaxʃtaɪn|lang}} | location = [[Upper Austria]] / [[Styria]], [[Austria]] | range = [[Northern Limestone Alps]] | coordinates = {{coord|47|28|31|N|13|36|23|E|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name="peaklist"/> | type = [[Limestone]] | age = [[Triassic]] | first_ascent = 1834 Peter Karl Thurwieser, Adam und Peter Gappmayr (Gosau side) | easiest_route = | embedded = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site | child = yes | part_of = [[Hallstatt]]-Dachstein / [[Salzkammergut]] Cultural Landscape | criteria = {{UNESCO WHS type|(iii)(iv)}}(iii)(iv) | ID = 806 | year = 1997 }} }} [[File:Ramsau am Dachstein - Dachsteinsüdwand (a).JPG|thumb|290px|South face with the Hoher Dachstein in the middle of the picture]] '''Hoher Dachstein''' ({{IPA|de|ˈhoːɐ̯ ˈdaxʃtaɪn|lang}}) is a strongly [[karst]]ic [[mountain]] in central [[Austria]] and the second-highest mountain in the [[Northern Limestone Alps]]. It is situated at the border of [[Upper Austria]] and [[Styria]], and is the highest point in each of those states. Parts of the massif also lie in the state of [[Salzburg (state)|Salzburg]], leading to the mountain being referred to as the ''Drei-Länder-Berg'' ("three-state mountain").

The Dachstein massif covers an area of around {{convert|600|sqkm}} with dozens of peaks above 2,500&nbsp;m, the highest of which are in the southern and southwestern areas. The main summit of the Hoher Dachstein is at an elevation of {{convert|2995|m}}. Seen from the north, the Dachstein massif is dominated by [[glacier]]s with rocky summits rising beyond them. By contrast, to the south, the mountain drops almost vertically to the valley floor.

==Geology== The [[geology]] of the Dachstein massif is dominated by the ''Dachstein-Kalk'' Formation ("[[Dachstein Formation|Dachstein limestone]]"), dating from [[Triassic]] times. In common with other karstic areas, the Dachstein is permeated by a rich [[cave]] system, including some of the largest caves in Austria, such as the ''[[List of caves in Austria|Mammuthhöhle]]'' and the ''Hirlatzhöhle''. Another significant tourist destination is the [[Eisriesenhöhle]]. The Dachstein is famous for its [[fossil]]s, including [[Megalodon (bivalve)|megalodont]]s; the ''Linzer Weg'' leads over many such fossils, which are referred to as ''Kuhtritte'' ("cattle footprints").

Glaciers are uncommon in the Northern Limestone Alps, and those on the Dachstein — the ''Hallstätter Gletscher'' ("[[Hallstatt]] glacier"), the ''Großer Gosaugletscher'' ("great [[Gosau]] glacier") and the ''Schladminger Gletscher'' ("[[Schladming]] glacier") — are the largest, as well as being the northernmost and the easternmost in the whole of the [[Alps]]. Several smaller ice-fields also exist, such as the ''Kleine Gosaugletscher'' ("lesser Gosau glacier") and the ''Schneelochgletscher'' ("snow-hole glacier"). The glaciers are retreating rapidly, and may disappear entirely within 80&nbsp;years. The Hallstatt glacier withdrew by 20&nbsp;m in the year 2003 alone. By 2018, it is estimated that the glacier has retreated more than 1&nbsp;km since 1908.

==Climbing== The [[Summit (topography)|summit]] was first reached on July 18, 1834, by [[Peter Karl Thurwieser]], guided by the brothers Adam and Peter Gappmayr, via the Gosau glacier, after an earlier attempt by [[Erzherzog Karl]] via the Hallstätter glacier had failed. A wooden cross was erected at the summit during this ascent. The question of the first successful ascent has been a matter of controversial discussion even in contemporary newspaper articles. Two potential summit successes occurred in 1819 and 1823 by Jakob Buchsteiner, the latter of which is today thought to be the first ascent of neighbouring Torstein. The first person to reach the summit in winter was [[Friedrich Simony]], on 14 January 1847. The sheer southern face was first climbed on 22 September 1909 by the brothers Irg and Franz Steiner.

Being the highest point of two different [[States of Austria|''Bundesländer'']], the summit is a popular goal in both summer and winter. In fine weather as many as 100 climbers may be attempting the ascent, leading to congestion at key sections of the climb.

On 15 April 1954, during the [[Easter holiday]] 13 people from [[Heilbronn]] went missing in what is now known as the [[Dachstein hiking disaster]].

==See also== * [[Limestone Alps]] * [[List of mountains of the Alps]] * [[List of European ultra prominent peaks]] *[[List of World Heritage Sites in Austria]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Commons|Dachstein}}

{{World Heritage Sites in Austria}} {{Ultras of Europe}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Mountains of the Alps]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in Austria]] [[Category:Dachstein Mountains]] [[Category:Mountains of Upper Austria]] [[Category:Mountains of Styria]] [[Category:Mountains of Salzburg (state)]] [[Category:Ultra-prominent peaks of Europe]]