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Echernwald Via Ferrata

Dear climbing friends!

The Echerntal via ferrata is no longer accessible due to the forest fire of August 2018 and is officially closed. However, due to the fact that we continually get inquiries regarding the Echerntal via ferrata, we have decided toleave this article online. We would like to inform you that this climbing opportunity in Hallstatt will not longer be available in the foreseeable future. As an alternative, we would like to recommend this via ferrata to you: Click here ...

Your editorial staff

Via ferrata: Access can be found just above the Roman settlement on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, at the base of the Echernwand rock face. We commence by the world famous, prehistoric fortified tower which dates back to 1284. This was built to defend the salt mines. The summit is known as the "Siegkogel" and reminds us of the victory over the Archbishop of Salzburg in the rights to the salt just a few years after the construction of the tower.

  • Traverse: 450 metres of climbing
  • Ascent: Horizintal climb (safety equipment recommended.) 15 minutes to Rudolfsturm cable car mountain terminus.
  • Ascent: via the Salt Mines Train or via the footpath down to Hallstatt (allow 30 minutes).
  • Difficulty Rating: Predominantly "C" grade with 2 grade "D" sections (Roli Wandl and above the Deubler Ladder)
  • Development and Maintenance: Hallstatt Parish Council
  • Developed: Outdoor Leadership, in March 2010

Access is from the Salinen car park. The route continues uphill to the ladder access to the via ferrata (approx. 15 minutes) History: The via ferrata is located in a region famous for its ancient salt mining culture. Salt has been mined here continuously since the first Stone Age. The cultural high point was approx. 900 - 400 years BC. This was known as the "Hallstatt Era" and corresponds to the first Iron Age. Liability: The developers and landowners can accept no liability for the safety of the users of the via ferrata. All usage of the climbing facility is entirely voluntary, and climbers must carry out a thorough self-assessment of their suitability to complete the climbing tour. Thorough planning and preparation are essential, and users must be confident that they are suitably fit. This climb is not suitable for beginners. It is a challenging alpine climb with significant risks of rock fall and rapid changes in weather conditions.

Safety on the rock face

In recent years rock climbing has developed encouragingly strong and each year inspires more and more people. Its versatility means you get a taste of everything: whether hard tracks in the Boulder room or indoor climbing hall, long routes with alpine ambience or leisurely tours on a sunny cliff - in climbing, regardless of age, everyone finds their individual conditions. Safety guidelines play an important role in enabling you to enjoy this fascination to the full. The best advice for "correct" climbing in the Salzkammergut region can be found here.

And after climing -  visit  the oldest saltmine of the world

Hallstatt Salt Worlds

Rustic! Incomparable! Simply Irresistible!

Simply get away from the hustle and bustle, surrounded by nature, cowbells ringing instead of your smartphone…. Holidays up on an Alpine pasture, or in one of the many mountain huts, are becoming increasingly popular. But it is not always easy to find the "right" Alpine pasture or mountain hut. Therefore, we have compiled the most beautiful "Mountain service stations" for you, with stunning panoramic pictures and the most important information for all "newcomers" and World Heritage hikers. As it is usual in the Simonyhütte, the Adamekhütte or Hütteneckalm in Bad Goisern to greet people informally with a “Du” rather that the formal "Sie", as we say here in the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut…. "Grias di"!

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