Our Favorite Things to Do in Ramsau am Dachstein in Summer

How We Spent 2 Days Exploring Ramsau am Dachstein

Before planning our trip, we spent quite a bit of time looking at different regions across Austria. In the end, Ramsau am Dachstein stood out, and after spending two days here, we’re really glad we chose it. Just like every other Austrian region we’ve visited, this one has its own character and plenty of places worth exploring. From easy family walks and mountain adventures to fun attractions and peaceful lakes, there’s more than enough to fill a couple of days. In this guide, we’ll share our favorite stops and everything we think is worth adding to your Ramsau am Dachstein itinerary.

One thing we loved about staying in Ramsau am Dachstein instead of Schladming was how peaceful it felt. Even though the main attractions were only a short drive away, the village itself was quieter, surrounded by meadows and mountain views, making it a relaxing place to return to after a day of exploring.

How to Get to Ramsau am Dachstein

Ramsau am Dachstein is easy to reach whether you’re travelling by car or public transport. If you’re driving from Vienna, the journey takes around 3.5 to 4 hours (approximately 300 km), depending on traffic and your exact destination within Ramsau. The drive follows well-maintained motorways for most of the route before climbing into the Schladming–Dachstein region, with plenty of scenic mountain views along the way.

If you’re travelling by public transport, take a train to Schladming, the nearest railway station, which has regular connections from Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck. From Schladming, local buses run frequently to Ramsau am Dachstein, and the journey takes around 20–30 minutes depending on your stop. You can also take a taxi if you prefer a quicker transfer.

We arrived by car, which gave us the flexibility to explore the area at our own pace over the next two days. During our stay, we based ourselves at a local guesthouse, which made a convenient starting point for visiting the different attractions around Ramsau am Dachstein.

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Top Things to See and Do in Ramsau am Dachstein

Before arriving in Ramsau am Dachstein, we spent quite a bit of time researching the area and making a list of everything we wanted to see and do. Even so, the region still managed to surprise us. That’s something we’ve noticed on almost every trip around Austria—there’s always another viewpoint, trail, or attraction that wasn’t on our radar but ends up becoming one of the highlights. Ramsau am Dachstein was no exception. Here are the activities we tried during our stay and would happily recommend to anyone visiting the region.

Hike the Märchenweg (Fairy Trail)

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Ramsau am Dachstein is walking the Märchenweg, or Fairy Trail, on Rittisberg. The trail is inspired by classic fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, with interactive stations, wooden sculptures, sound installations, and familiar characters hidden throughout the forest. Children can climb Rapunzel’s hair, visit Hansel and Gretel’s gingerbread house, and stop at several hands-on play areas along the way, making the walk feel more like an adventure than a hike.

The full Fairy Trail is around 2.5 km long, climbs approximately 315 metres, and takes about 1.5 hours to complete at a relaxed pace. The trail starts at the valley station of the Rittisberg chairlift and ends near the Rittisstadl mountain hut and playground.

We visited in the evening, so we didn’t have enough time to complete the entire trail. Even walking just part of it, though, felt magical. The golden-hour light filtered through the trees, the forest was quiet, and the fairy tale stations seemed to blend naturally into the surroundings. It was one of those places where you can easily slow down, enjoy the atmosphere, and forget about rushing to the next stop.

Ride the Rittisberg Coaster

While you’re already at Rittisberg, don’t miss the Rittisberg Coaster. This alpine coaster is 1,330 metres long, including a 1,000-metre downhill section with banked turns, waves, and a full 360° spiral. The ride lasts around 6 minutes, and while you control your own speed with the hand brake, it’s surprisingly fast if you let it run.

We couldn’t resist giving it a try, and it quickly became one of our favourite activities in the area. The ride was included with our Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card, which made it even better. If you’re visiting during the period when the Summer Card includes the coaster, it’s absolutely worth taking advantage of, it combines mountain views with just the right amount of adrenaline.

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Take the Rittisberg Chairlift

Right next to the coaster, you’ll also find the Rittisberg four-seater chairlift, which takes you from the valley up to the Rittisstadl mountain hut and the upper part of Rittisberg. The ride takes around 10 minutes and is the easiest way to reach the Fairy Trail, hiking routes, mountain huts, and several other attractions on the mountain. A return ticket costs €23.50 for adults, while a one-way uphill ticket is €18.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to take the chairlift during our visit. After reading a few reviews and seeing the views from the top, though, it definitely looks like something worth doing. It seems like the perfect starting point for exploring more of Rittisberg without the uphill walk, so it’s already on our list for the next time we’re back in Ramsau am Dachstein.

Relax at the Ramsau Beach Leisure Lake (Freizeitsee)

If you’re visiting on a warm summer day, Ramsau Beach (Freizeitsee Ramsau) is the perfect place to slow down and relax. This artificial leisure lake has a large grassy area where you can sunbathe, swim, read a book, or simply enjoy the mountain views. The water is clean and refreshing, and with the Dachstein mountains in the background, it’s a pretty hard spot to beat.

There’s a restaurant right next to the lake if you get hungry, along with toilets, changing facilities, and everything you need for a comfortable afternoon. Entry to the lake is free, and you’ll only need to pay for parking, which cost us around €4 for the day. After finishing our hike, we spent a couple of hours here relaxing by the water, and it was exactly what we needed. If you have some extra time in Ramsau am Dachstein, this is a great place to unwind before heading off on your next adventure.

Explore One of the Many Walking Trails

One thing we noticed is that you don’t always have to plan a big hike to enjoy the scenery. There are plenty of short walking trails connecting the different attractions, villages, and hotels. One evening, instead of driving back, we simply walked from the leisure lake to our guesthouse. It wasn’t a long hike, but it turned out to be one of those peaceful moments we really enjoyed. The trail passed through meadows and quiet paths with mountain views almost the entire way. If you have a little extra time, we definitely recommend swapping the car for a short waddle, you’ll discover a different side of Ramsau am Dachstein at a slower pace.

Visit the Dachstein Glacier

No trip to Ramsau am Dachstein feels complete without visiting the Dachstein Glacier, and for us, it was the highlight of the entire area. A panoramic cable car takes you from the valley station up to the Dachstein Gletscher at 2,700 metres, with the journey taking around 10 minutes. From there, you’re just below the glacier’s highest point, the Hoher Dachstein, which rises to 2,995 metres, making it one of Austria’s most impressive mountain peaks.

Even though we visited in summer, there was still snow, which made the whole experience feel even more special. Waddling through the snow while looking out over the surrounding Alps is something we won’t forget anytime soon. On top, you’ll also find some of Dachstein’s most famous attractions, including the Sky Walk, the Suspension Bridge, the Stairway to Nothingness, and the Ice Palace. If you only have time for one big attraction during your stay in Ramsau am Dachstein, this is the one we’d recommend the most.

Nearby Attractions

Ramsau am Dachstein is a great base for exploring the Schladming–Dachstein region. Many of the area’s best attractions are within a short drive, making it easy to combine mountain adventures, scenic gorges, viewpoints, and charming villages into the same trip. Here are a few nearby places that are well worth adding to your itinerary.

• Visit the Beautiful Silberkarklamm Gorge.  Just a short drive from Ramsau am Dachstein, you’ll find the Silberkarklamm Gorge, one of the most scenic hikes in the region. Wooden bridges and staircases lead you through the narrow gorge, following the rushing mountain stream past waterfalls, rock walls, and several viewpoints. It’s a great half-day adventure and one of our favourite hikes during the trip. We enjoyed it so much that we wrote a dedicated guide covering everything you need to know, including the hiking route, ticket prices, opening hours, parking, and our personal tips. Check out our complete guide here: Silberkarklamm Gorge Guide: Hike, Tickets & Tips.

• Schladming (8 km | 10–15 min). An alpine town with cafés, restaurants, shops, and the Planai cable car. It’s a great place for an evening stroll or a meal after a day outdoors.
• Reiteralm (15 km | 20 min). A popular mountain area with scenic hiking trails, mountain lakes, and family-friendly walks in summer.
• Sattelberg Viewing Platform (12 km | 20 min). A peaceful viewpoint overlooking Ramsau am Dachstein and the surrounding Alps, perfect for sunrise or sunset.
• Steirischer Bodensee (20 km | 30 min). A beautiful alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks. An easy walking trail circles the lake, making it a popular destination for families and photographers.
• Hängebrücke & Wilde Wasser Trail (22 km | 30 min). A scenic hiking area featuring waterfalls, a suspension bridge, and well-maintained trails through the mountains.
• Talbach Waterfall, Schladming (9 km | 15 min). An easily accessible waterfall just a short walk from Schladming’s historic centre.
• Rohrmoos Adventure Mountain (12 km | 20 min). Home to summer hiking trails, mountain huts, playgrounds, and family activities with beautiful views over the Enns Valley.

Make the Most of the Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card

One of the biggest perks of staying in Ramsau am Dachstein was receiving the  Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card from our accommodation. Our card was valid for the two days we stayed in the region and gave us access to many attractions that would otherwise have added up to a significant cost.

We used the Summer Card for the Dachstein Glacier cable car, which is one of the area’s most expensive attractions, as well as for the Rittisberg Coaster. Having both included made the card more than worth it. Another great benefit is that the card generally includes one cable car ride per day, allowing you to explore a different mountain each day of your stay. Depending on where you go, you’ll also find free or discounted entry to swimming pools, museums, family attractions, hiking lifts, and other activities throughout the Schladming–Dachstein region.

If you’re planning to stay overnight in the area, it’s definitely worth choosing accommodation that includes the Summer Card. It can save you a substantial amount of money while making it much easier to experience the region’s top attractions.

How Long To Stay in Ramsau am Dachstein

We think 2–3 days is the perfect amount of time for a first visit to Ramsau am Dachstein. That’s exactly how long we stayed, and it gave us enough time to explore the main highlights, enjoy a few hikes, visit the Dachstein Glacier, relax by the leisure lake, and still have time to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

If you’re a keen hiker or want to explore the wider Schladming–Dachstein region, you could easily spend 5–7 days here without running out of things to do. There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails, mountain huts, cable cars, alpine lakes, and nearby attractions to discover. Whether you’re looking for an active holiday or a relaxed mountain getaway, Ramsau am Dachstein makes a great base for several days of exploring.

Where to Stay in Ramsau am Dachstein

Ramsau am Dachstein offers accommodation for every type of traveller, from traditional guesthouses and family-run pensions to modern hotels, self-catering apartments, and cosy alpine chalets. Many places include breakfast, mountain views, free parking, and, during the summer season, the Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card, which can add a lot of value to your stay.

During our visit, we stayed at Pension Glöshof, which was a great base for exploring the area. Its location made it easy to reach the Dachstein Glacier, Rittisberg, the leisure lake, and several nearby hiking trails within a short drive.

Other Great Places to Stay in Ramsau am Dachstein

• Hotel Lindenhof. A popular 4-star hotel with a spa, indoor pool, and excellent mountain views, ideal for couples and wellness stays.
• Almfrieden Hotel & Romantikchalet. A cozy alpine hotel known for its traditional Styrian style, wellness area, and direct access to hiking and skiing.
• Ferienhotel Knollhof. A quiet mountain hotel offering panoramic views, an outdoor pool, and easy access to hiking trails.
• Hotel Matschner. Located in the centre of Ramsau, this hotel features a spa, indoor pool, and is a good base for exploring the region year-round.
• Mountain Hostel Ramsau. A budget-friendly option offering simple rooms, apartments, and a great location for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Landhaus Kirchgasser. A traditional guesthouse with comfortable apartments, mountain views, and easy access to both hiking trails and the Dachstein Glacier cable car.

Best Time to Visit Ramsau am Dachstein

The best time to visit Ramsau am Dachstein really depends on what kind of holiday you’re looking for. Every season has something different to offer, so you can’t really go wrong.

• Spring (April–May).  As the snow begins to melt, the valleys turn green and hiking trails gradually reopen. It’s a quieter time to visit, although some higher mountain routes may still be covered in snow.
• Summer (June–September). This is the best season for hiking, mountain biking, alpine lakes, and family attractions. Most cable cars are operating, mountain huts are open, and you can make the most of the Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card. Even in summer, you’ll often find snow waiting for you on the Dachstein Glacier.
• Autumn (September–October). Cooler temperatures, colourful forests, and fewer visitors make autumn a great time for scenic hikes. The mountain views are often at their clearest, making it a favourite season for photographers.
• Winter (December–March). Ramsau am Dachstein transforms into a winter sports paradise. The region is famous for its extensive cross-country skiing network, while nearby ski resorts offer downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and other winter activities.

We visited during the summer, and we can highly recommend it. The combination of hiking, mountain attractions, alpine lakes, and even snow on the Dachstein Glacier made every day feel different. If you enjoy being outdoors, summer is a fantastic time to experience everything Ramsau am Dachstein has to offer.

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We enjoyed our time in Ramsau am Dachstein just as much as we did in the Tauplitz region. Although the two destinations are quite different, each has its own character and plenty of reasons to stay for a few days. From glacier adventures and mountain hikes to relaxing by the lake and discovering family-friendly attractions, Ramsau offered a great mix of activities that kept every day different.

We hope this guide has inspired you to add Ramsau am Dachstein to your Austria itinerary. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer mountain holiday, we’re sure you’ll find plenty to explore. Pack your hiking shoes, take your time, and enjoy everything this beautiful corner of Austria has to offer. Happy waddling!

Travel Bold. Eat Well. Waddle Wild.

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