The 5 Huts Trail (“5 Hüttenweg” in German) is a highly enjoyable day hike in Ramsau am Dachstein in Styria, Austria.

With very little effort, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the southern slopes of the Dachstein massif, as you traverse alpine pastures, larch forests, and meadows. 

You can start the 5 Huts Trail in Ramsau Ort (longer variation), or you can drive to Gasthof Edelbrunn (shorter variation) to begin the hike. We’ll be describing the shorter variation in this post. 

While the trail is relatively straightforward, we were a bit confused by the signage. The yellow “5-Hüttenweg” trail signs weren’t always consistent with the official trail description.

So, if you just follow the trail signs, you’ll end up missing parts of the 5 Huts Trail. Read our trail descriptions in detail, so the signs don’t lead you astray. 

5 Huts Trail, Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria

• Trailhead: Gasthof Edelbrunn, Ramsau am Dachstein | Google Maps
• Distance: 14 km circuit
• Time Needed: 5 hours
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 887 meters
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
• Minimum Elevation: 1322 meters
• Maximum Elevation: 1908 meters
• Route: Gasthof Edelbrunn – Dachsteinhaus – Brandalm – (Austriahütte) – Hotel Türlwand – Dachsteinsüdwandhütte – Neustattalm – (Walcheralm) – Glösalm – Dachsteinhaus – Gasthof Edelbrunn
• Where to Stay in Ramsau am Dachstein: Pension Adlerhorst (budget), Hotel Sporthof Austria (midrange), or Hotel Lindenhof (luxury)
• Recommended Trail Map: Dachstein WK 0281 1:50000 (Freytag & Berndt)

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5 Huts Trail Map

When Can You Hike the 5 Huts Trail

Mid-May – October, weather depending.

Given the popularity of the Dachstein region, we recommend hiking here off-season. We hiked this route in early October and it was absolute bliss.

Ramsau Ort Trailhead

If you decide to start in Ramsau Ort, head to the very conspicuous Evangelische Kirche (Protestant Church) in the middle of the village.

Behind the church, there’s a sloping green pasture. Hike up the pasture for about 290 meters.

The grassy track will intersect with the paved Mayerhoferweg road.

Follow the road for a few meters and then turn left onto “Panoramaweg.”

Continue along this path until you see a “5 Hüttenweg” trail sign steering you to the right.

Dachstein 5 Huts Trail Description

Gasthof Edelbrunn to Brandalm (40 minutes)

From Gasthof Edelbrunn, follow the gravel road into the forest, in the direction of Dachsteinhaus (10-12 minutes).

Soon after passing the Dachsteinhaus, you’ll see the western Ramsau plateau below, dotted with farmsteads and maple trees.

The mountain range flanking the other side of the Enns Valley is Schladminger Tauern. 

Continue ascending along the gravel road for another 30 minutes to Brandalm.

As you approach the historic Alm, the “three heads of the Dachstein” (Dachstein Dreigestirn) come into focus.

From left to right, these three peaks are Torstein (2948 m), Mittlerspitz (2925 m), and Dachstein (2996 m). 

At the picture-perfect Brandalm, you’ll find a mountaineer’s memorial, a tiny chapel, a children’s play area, as well as an Alm hut.

This is one of the places along the trail where you can eat regional specialties and traditional Styrian dishes. 

 Brandalm to Hotel Türlwand (40 minutes)

From Brandalm, you can either continue on the road towards Türlwand, or you can ascend to Austriahütte.

The “5 Hüttenweg” sign steers you along the road. But, if you want to hike up to the Austriahütte, locate the trail starting at the chapel. 

We stayed on the road for another 15 minutes. At the next trail intersection, we turned right, leaving the road behind.

Shortly thereafter, there’s another trail intersection. Turn left here. You’ll hike along a grassy track across a beautiful meadow on route to Hotel Türlwand. 

So, it’s entirely up to you whether you want to hike along the road from Brandalm to Türlwand, or hike along a hiking path via Austriahütte. 

Hotel Türlwand to Dachstein Südwandhütte (40 minutes)

From Hotel Türlwand, walk to the Dachstein-Gletscherbahn (Dachstein Glacier Cable Car) valley station (100 meters). 

The trail to the Dachstein Südwandhütte starts just to the right of the cable car valley station.

This path ascends slowly to the mountain hut, crossing the southern slopes of the Dachstein massif.

The grade is very gentle, so while you’re gaining elevation the whole time, it’s not exhausting. 

One part of the trail has been washed out. This section is secured with ropes. 

Dachstein Südwandhütte to Neustattalm (1 hour 20 minutes)

From the Dachstein Südwandhütte terrace, you’ll see several trail signs.

The “5 Hüttenweg” and “Schönbühel-Neustattalm” (1 hour) trail signs direct you to the left, however, you should follow the “Glösalm ü. Maralm” (1 hr 45 min) trail sign, pointing right. 

Exit the outdoor terrace, and turn right onto the narrow footpath. After about 5 minutes, you’ll reach another trail intersection.

Turn left in the direction of “Pernerweg,” and descend a series of switchbacks.

At the next intersection, turn left again, but this time towards “Glösalm.” 

You’ll descend this loamy track across tussock slopes and then through larch forest.

Eventually, the trail emerges from the forest and delivers you to a lovely meadow.

At the trail intersection, turn left towards Glösalm and follow the gravel road. 

After about 10 minutes, you’ll find yourself at another intersection. Turn left again towards Türlwand and continue 20 minutes to Neustattalm. 

Neustattalm to Walcheralm (10 minutes)

Neustattalm is another dreamy alpine pasture with a dramatic mountain backdrop. Several wooden huts are huddled around a road, creating an idyllic alpine scene. 

From Neustattalm, continue following the gravel road. After several meters, the road intersects with the paved Dachstein Mautstrasse (tolled road).

Cross this road and take a quick detour to Walcheralm. 

Walcheralm is open to the public. You can purchase fresh cheese or light meals here.

The interior is charming and shouldn’t be missed. The food, however, was disappointing. 

Walcheralm to Glösalm (10 minutes)

Retrace your steps back to the paved Dachstein Mautstrasse.

You’ll hike down this paved road for 170 meters (2 minutes), until you see the trail branching off to the right. Follow this trail to Glösalm. 

Glösalm to Dachsteinhaus (40 minutes)

Glösalm is yet another option for lunch, or a snack. 

The 5 Huts Trail continues left in the direction of the serpentine tolled road. Cross the street and follow the trail.

The trail descends into a spruce forest, below the Schlizenalm. Continue following the forest road to the Dachsteinhaus. 

Dachsteinhaus to Gasthof Edelbrunn (7 minutes)

Complete the 5 huts trail by following the familiar road back to Gasthof Edelbrunn. 

Where to Stay in Ramsau am Dachstein

Budget | Pension Adlerhorst is a clean and comfortable B&B in Ramsau am Dachstein. Guests love the generous breakfast, quiet location, and friendly hosts. The Pension is only a 10-minute drive to Schladming, which is a resort town with lots of restaurants and shops. It’s also the gateway to the Schladminger Tauern mountain range, which is another fantastic place to hike, especially if you love mountain lakes.

Midrange | Hotel Sporthof Austria is a traditional Austrian mountain hotel, offering a plentiful breakfast, half board (breakfast and dinner) if desired, a wellness center (sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin, and hot tub), a large garden, and sun terrace.

Luxury | Hotel Lindenhof is the finest hotel in Ramsau am Dachstein, boasting gorgeous alpine-modern rooms, a wonderful wellness center, Dachstein mountain views, and an on-site restaurant featuring Austrian and international cuisine prepared with ingredients sourced from the hotel’s farm. A sumptuous breakfast buffet is included in the rate as well as the Schladming-Dachstein Summer Card.

Look for accommodation in Ramsau am Dachstein.

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More Things to Do around Ramsau am Dachstein

More Hikes in the Dachstein:

• Bachlalm to Neustadtalm Circuit Hike
• Rötelstein Peak Hike
• Hofpürgl Hut to Sulzenalm Circuit Hike

Discover Styria:

• Wine Tasting in South Styria
• Hochschwab Summit (2-day hike)
• Hesshütte in Gesäuse National Park (2-day hike)
• Schladminger Tauern High Trail (5 day hike)

Learn More about the European Alps:

• The Alps in Summer: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting 
• Hiking in the Alps: Invaluable Tips 

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