# Hoher Dachstein

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Mountain in Austria

"Dachstein" redirects here. For the French commune, see [Dachstein, Bas-Rhin](/source/Dachstein%2C_Bas-Rhin).

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Hoher Dachstein Hoher Dachstein summit Highest point Elevation 2,995 m (9,826 ft)[1] Prominence 2,136 m (7,008 ft)[1] Ranked 8th in the Alps Listing Ultra Coordinates 47°28′31″N 13°36′23″E / 47.47528°N 13.60639°E / 47.47528; 13.60639[1] Naming English translation high roof stone Language of name German Pronunciation German: [ˈhoːɐ̯ ˈdaxʃtaɪn] Geography Hoher Dachstein Austria Location Upper Austria / Styria, Austria Parent range Northern Limestone Alps Geology Rock age Triassic Mountain type Limestone Climbing First ascent 1834 Peter Karl Thurwieser, Adam und Peter Gappmayr (Gosau side) UNESCO World Heritage Site Part of Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape Criteria Cultural: (iii)(iv) Reference 806 Inscription 1997 (21st Session)

South face with the Hoher Dachstein in the middle of the picture

**Hoher Dachstein** (German: [\[ˈhoːɐ̯ ˈdaxʃtaɪn\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Standard_German)) is a strongly [karstic](/source/Karst) [mountain](/source/Mountain) in central [Austria](/source/Austria) and the second-highest mountain in the [Northern Limestone Alps](/source/Northern_Limestone_Alps). It is situated at the border of [Upper Austria](/source/Upper_Austria) and [Styria](/source/Styria), and is the highest point in each of those states. Parts of the massif also lie in the state of [Salzburg](/source/Salzburg_(state)), leading to the mountain being referred to as the *Drei-Länder-Berg* ("three-state mountain").

The Dachstein massif covers an area of around 600 square kilometres (230 sq mi) with dozens of peaks above 2,500 m, the highest of which are in the southern and southwestern areas. The main summit of the Hoher Dachstein is at an elevation of 2,995 metres (9,826 ft). Seen from the north, the Dachstein massif is dominated by [glaciers](/source/Glacier) with rocky summits rising beyond them. By contrast, to the south, the mountain drops almost vertically to the valley floor.

## Geology

The [geology](/source/Geology) of the Dachstein massif is dominated by the *Dachstein-Kalk* Formation ("[Dachstein limestone](/source/Dachstein_Formation)"), dating from [Triassic](/source/Triassic) times. In common with other karstic areas, the Dachstein is permeated by a rich [cave](/source/Cave) system, including some of the largest caves in Austria, such as the *[Mammuthhöhle](/source/List_of_caves_in_Austria)* and the *Hirlatzhöhle*. Another significant tourist destination is the [Eisriesenhöhle](/source/Eisriesenh%C3%B6hle). The Dachstein is famous for its [fossils](/source/Fossil), including [megalodonts](/source/Megalodon_(bivalve)); 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](/source/Hallstatt) glacier"), the *Großer Gosaugletscher* ("great [Gosau](/source/Gosau) glacier") and the *Schladminger Gletscher* ("[Schladming](/source/Schladming) glacier") — are the largest, as well as being the northernmost and the easternmost in the whole of the [Alps](/source/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 years. The Hallstatt glacier withdrew by 20 m in the year 2003 alone. By 2018, it is estimated that the glacier has retreated more than 1 km since 1908.

## Climbing

The [summit](/source/Summit_(topography)) was first reached on July 18, 1834, by [Peter Karl Thurwieser](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Karl_Thurwieser&action=edit&redlink=1), guided by the brothers Adam and Peter Gappmayr, via the Gosau glacier, after an earlier attempt by [Erzherzog Karl](/source/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](/source/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 [*Bundesländer*](/source/States_of_Austria), 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](/source/Easter_holiday) 13 people from [Heilbronn](/source/Heilbronn) went missing in what is now known as the [Dachstein hiking disaster](/source/Dachstein_hiking_disaster).

## See also

- [Limestone Alps](/source/Limestone_Alps)

- [List of mountains of the Alps](/source/List_of_mountains_of_the_Alps)

- [List of European ultra prominent peaks](/source/List_of_European_ultra_prominent_peaks)

- [List of World Heritage Sites in Austria](/source/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Austria)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-peaklist_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-peaklist_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-peaklist_1-2) ["Europe Ultra-Prominences"](http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/EuroCoreP1500m.html). Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2026-01-25.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Dachstein](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Dachstein).

v t e World Heritage Sites in Austria Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape Semmering Railway City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg Wachau Cultural Landscape Fertő / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape1 Historic Centre of Vienna Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps2 Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe3 Flag of Austria 1 with Hungary 2 with France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland 3 with Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine

v t e Ultra-prominent peaks of Europe Scandinavia & Arctic Galdhøpiggen Kebnekaise Jiehkkevárri Snøhetta Store Lenangstind Sarektjåkkå — On islands: Beerenberg Hvannadalshnúkur Newtontoppen Mount Kruzenshtern Western Europe Spain: Mulhacén Aneto Torre Cerredo Almanzor — Massif Central: Puy de Sancy Atlantic islands Canaries: Teide Roque de los Muchachos Pico de las Nieves Malpaso — Azores: Pico Madeira: Ruivo Alps (List) Mont Blanc Grossglockner Finsteraarhorn Wildspitze Bernina Hochkönig Dufourspitze Hoher Dachstein Marmolada Viso Triglav Barre des Écrins Säntis Ortler Baldo Gran Paradiso Coca Cima Dodici Dents du Midi Chamechaude Zugspitze Antelao Arcalod Grintovec Großer Priel Grigna Settentrionale Bondone Presanella Birnhorn Col Nudo Pointe Percée Jôf di Montasio Polinik Tödi Birkkarspitze Ellmauer Halt Grande Tête de l'Obiou Hochtor Grimming Grand Combin Tournette Zirbitzkogel Kesch Cima Brenta Apennines Corno Grande Amaro Serra Dolcedorme Montalto Cimone Eastern Europe Carpathians: Gerlachovský štít Parângu Mare Moldoveanu Peleaga Pietrosul Rodnei — Crimea: Roman-Kosh — Urals: Narodnaya Balkans Musala Olympus Vihren Taygetus Korab Jezercë Athos Kyllini Ossa Papingu Pangaion Hills Kajmakčalan Smolikas Giona Jakupica Këndrevica Radomir Parnassus Botev Çika Valamara Baba Psili Koryfi Mediterranean islands Corsica: Cinto — Sardinia: Punta La Marmora — Sicily: Etna — Crete: Ida Lefka Ori Dikti — Other Greek islands: Dirfi Ainos Fengari — Cyprus: Olympus Caucasus Elbrus Bazardüzü Kazbek Tebulosmta Aragats Dykh-Tau Mount Dyultydag Kaputjugh Mount Addala-Shukhgelmeer Shani

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hoher Dachstein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoher_Dachstein) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoher_Dachstein?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.