Accommodation included
Via Ferrata Camp in Dachstein
We invite you to join us on a mountain adventure on the most spectacular via ferratas of the Dachstein, located in the Austrian Salzburg Alps. The via ferratas in this area are technically and physically challenging, but well worth the effort! During the camp, you’ll have the chance to climb the Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m), Styria’s highest peak, as well as the iconic Johann (D) and Skywalk (D/E) via ferratas. Michał Trzebunia will be overseeing everything —a high-altitude Tatra guide, climbing instructor, UIMLA international guide, and employee of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW). We provide lodging in a comfortable apartment in Schladming, high-risk sports insurance, and, optionally, a shared bus ride from Zakopane.
What is a “via ferrata”?
Via Ferrata, or “iron road,” is a mountain trail—often highly exposed—equipped with a steel cable for self-belaying (using a harness and a lanyard). Along the way, you’ll frequently encounter ladders, bridges, and metal steps that make it easy to navigate difficult rocky sections. Most often, a via ferrata is just part of a hike to the summit, which takes several hours.
What is the camp all about?
First of all, at the via ferrata camp, you’ll master a wide range of practical skills. You’ll learn and practice how to use specialized equipment. You’ll learn and practice the basics of climbing and essential rope techniques. You’ll learn what to do in emergency situations in high mountains.
On the other hand, under the guidance of experts, you’ll get to know yourself better and see how your body responds to new challenges. You’ll tackle the most beautiful via ferrata routes in the Dachstein range. You’ll learn how to properly and safely choose your next high-altitude goals, tailored to your current skill level.
The via ferrata camp in Dachstein, Austria, includes instruction in:
The program is designed not only to help you gradually become familiar with the technical aspects of the trails, but also with the exposure, elevation gain, and length of the entire hike.
Michał Trzebunia—high-altitude Tatra guide, UIMLA international guide, climbing instructor. Born in Zakopane, he has been involved in sports and the mountains from a very young age—he honed his skills in speed skating, alpine skiing, and freeride skiing. In the meantime, he discovered rock climbing, a discipline that allows for systematic self-improvement. A natural consequence of being in such an environment was his move toward a professional career. He obtained certifications as a rock climbing instructor, a high-altitude skiing instructor, and a third-class Tatra mountain guide, later expanding these to higher-level certifications that allow him to work in high-altitude terrain. For a quarter of a century, he has worked as a meteorologist at the High-Altitude Meteorological Observatory, where he also spent several years in the Snow Research Section. Today, he applies all his knowledge and experience in his work as a High-Altitude Tatra Mountain Guide.
What is not included in the price:
Plus: You’ll receive a 10% discount on future training courses.
The via ferrata camp in Dachstein (Austria) is designed for people who:
We also organize via ferrata camps in the Dolomites, the Julian Alps in Slovenia, and on Lake Garda in Italy. If you’re not sure whether via ferrata is for you—find out at a weekend via ferrata course for beginners in Slovakia.
Prices starting atxxxx.xx zł per person
Additional charges:
Participants from previous training sessions are eligible for a 10% discount —to receive it, enter the discount code (sent via email) during online registration.
Group Discounts:
– for a group of 3 people – 10% discount
– for a group of 4 or more people – 15% discount
Discounts cannot be combined with other offers. Please contact our office before making a reservation. We cannot apply a discount after a reservation has been made.
The payment is divided into two installments:
July–September 2027 — registration coming soon
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If there are no openings, please sign up for the waiting list by emailing gosia@mountainclimbingschool.pl
The schedule below is tentative, and class times are subject to change depending on weather conditions as well as the group’s preferences and availability.
Day 1 (Wednesday):
Meet in Zakopane around 8:00 a.m. and carpool with an instructor on a peer-to-peer basis (for those interested). Drive to the Dachstein area, check-in at the hotel. Around 7:00 p.m., there will be an official welcome, the camp will begin, equipment will be distributed, and the plan for the next day will be discussed. Group dinner (not included in the price).
Day 2 (Thursday): Hoher Dachstein, the “Roof of Styria” (2,995 m above sea level)
Breakfast at the hotel in the morning, then off to the via ferrata. Dinner in the late afternoon, then back to the apartment. Discussion of the plan for the next day, followed by free time.
Randkluftsteig Via Ferrata (B/C) Hoher Dachstein
Climbing Styria’s highest peak is an unforgettable experience, during which you can admire fantastic views from an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. The ascent, combined with the Randkluftsteig trail to the Hoher Dachstein, is easy to complete because you use the Dachstein Glacier cable car (included in the price) to assist with the climb. Above all, the short distance is what makes the via ferrata so appealing, allowing you to enjoy it while you’re still full of energy. At 2,995 meters above sea level, the Hoher Dachstein is a magnificent peak with a beautiful silhouette, and ascending it from the glacier side adds the flavor of a true Alpine adventure to the route.
Via ferrata description: The climb follows a well-secured rock route. The route offers moderate exposure and numerous steps to aid in progression. Ideal for those just starting out on via ferratas.
Key moment: crossing the edge gap between the ice and the wall. Depending on conditions, this may require the use of crampons and assistance from a guide.
Technical Specifications:
– via ferrata: 1 hr 30 min,
– ascent: 45 min,
– descent: 2 hr 15 min,
– total: 4h 30min,
– difficulty: A/B.
Day 3 (Friday): Sinabell (2,349 m above sea level)
Breakfast at the hotel, then off to the via ferrata. In the late afternoon, dinner and return to the apartment. Discussion of the plan for the next day, followed by free time.
Sinabell Via Ferrata (Klettersteig) (C)
The Sinabell Klettersteig is one of the most beautiful via ferratas in the Dachstein region. It follows a picturesque ridge, offering spectacular views and moderate technical difficulty. This well-designed, moderately difficult via ferrata is quite exposed and steep in places, but additional anchors and steps make the climb easier. The via ferrata leads to a vast summit plateau, offering a magnificent view of the neighboring mountain ranges. The descent follows a hiking trail. After coming down from the summit, delicious coffee and strudel await us at the mountain hut.
Key moment: climbing along the ridge (approx. 2–3 hours). Vertical sections are interspersed with easier terrain; the exposure is pronounced but comfortable, and the route offers a great sense of space and the feeling of “flying over the Alps.”
Technical Specifications:
– via ferrata: 1 hr 15 min,
– ascent: 3h 15min,
– descent: 3h,
– total: 7h 30min,
– difficulty: C.
Day 4 (Saturday): Dachsteinwarte (2,741 m above sea level)
Breakfast at the hotel, then off to the via ferrata. In the late afternoon, dinner and return to the apartment. Discussion of the plan for the next day, followed by free time.
Johann Via Ferrata (South Face) Climbing Route (C/D, D/E)
The Johann via ferrata is one of the most famous and demanding via ferratas in Austria. The route runs along the massive, 800-meter-high south face, offering incredible exposure and a purely athletic challenge. The start of the via ferrata is considered the crux and seems insurmountable, but once you’ve conquered it, the rest of the route is yours. In case of trouble, a guide provides rope belaying. This via ferrata requires excellent physical fitness. Climbers will encounter over 700 meters of steel cable and more than 250 anchors. The destination is the Dachsteinwarte summit (2,741 m above sea level), which offers a magnificent view of the Hohe Dachstein and other high peaks of the massif.
Entry Level (E/D): The via ferrata greets us with a “firm handshake.” The first few meters consist of a vertical, slightly overhanging section that tests the participants’ skills and upper-body strength.
The central sections (C/D): long stretches of pitons and ladders on nearly vertical rock. The exposure here is breathtaking—from up here, the roofs of the Südwandhütte look as small as matchboxes.
Traverses and pillars: a route winding through rock formations, offering technically varied sections.
Technical specifications:
– via ferrata: 4 hours,
– ascent: 3 hours,
– descent: 1 hour + cable car,
– total: 9 hours,
– difficulty: C/D, D/E.
Day 5 (Sunday): Hunerscharte (2,602 m above sea level)
Early breakfast at the hotel, check-out, and a hike to the via ferrata. Return to the cars at noon, lunch, end of camp, farewells, and departure for Poland.
Via ferrata Sky Walk Klettersteig – a must-do in Dachstain
This via ferrata is the perfect way to wrap up the camp. It’s a route for connoisseurs of “iron paths” and one of the most challenging in the Eastern Alps. It follows an extremely exposed and spectacular route directly to the upper station of the cable car on the Dachstein Glacier. Although it’s short, it offers a massive adrenaline rush, huge overhangs, and a breathtaking drop-off right beneath your feet. Completing this via ferrata can be considered a major mountaineering achievement. The via ferrata leads to the summit of Hunerscharte (2,602 m above sea level).
Start – vertical wall (D) – the via ferrata begins without a warm-up. From the very first meters, you’ll be climbing very steep terrain that requires precise footwork and a secure grip.
The key section—the overhang (D/E) —is in the middle of the route, where it leads through a highly exposed pillar and overhanging sections. This is where the greatest arm strength comes in handy.
The finale right beneath the tourists’ feet —the route ends with a spectacular finish just below the railings of the Skywalk observation deck. Climbers finish the route in full view of tourists admiring the panorama from the platform, which gives the experience a unique character.
Technical specifications:
– via ferrata: 1 hr 30 min,
– approach: 30 min,
– descent by cable car,
– total: 2 hours,
– difficulty: D/E, E.
A 3-star hotel in the center of Schladming, offering double rooms with private bathrooms. Bed linens and towels are provided in the rooms. A daily breakfast buffet is included in the price. The hotel is located in the town center; parking at the hotel is subject to a fee. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and also has a restaurant.
Option to travel by bus from Zakopane with an instructor—the trip is on a partnership basis, meaning the bus will be driven by our instructor, who is not a professional driver. The fee for round-trip transportation is 300 PLN per person. This amount already includes all parking fees and local transportation costs.
Participants who prefer to travel by their own or other means of transportation will meet us at the camp’s starting point and will get around on their own using their own means of transportation.
The Dachstein region is one of the most famous and spectacular via ferrata climbing destinations in the Eastern Alps. Located in the Dachstein massif in Austria, this region offers a variety of routes that provide unforgettable views and thrills for both beginners and experienced climbers.
We’ll take you to the Salzburg Alps, which are part of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria and Germany. The highest massif in this range is the Dachstein, with its highest peak, the Hoher Dachstein (2,995 m above sea level). The massif is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Hallstatt-Dachstein-Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape. The limestone geology ensures numerous karst formations, including such famous caves as the Rieseneishöhle (Ice Cave) and the Mammuthöhle (Mammoth Cave). The highest parts of the mountains are accessible via a network of cable cars, and at the foot of the massif’s highest peak, visitors can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing. A major attraction is the opportunity to ascend the Hoher Dachstein and walk along the famous Sky Walk.
In partnership with Allianz, we offer additional travel cancellation insurance. The coverage applies to situations both before the trip begins and during the trip (e.g., trip interruption or delay), such as illness or other events specified in the General Terms and Conditions.
General Rules Regarding Insurance:
