Overview
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Klettersteig Donnerkogel overview
1,1 km Via Ferrata
4,56 km in total
470 m
470 m
3 hours Via Ferrata
1,5 hours hike down
Lollipop trail
Easy - Moderate - Difficult - Expert
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What is Klettersteig Donnerkogel
Donnerkogel Mountain
The Klettersteig Donnerkogel is a popular via Ferrata to the top of the Donnerkogel.
The Donnerkogel mountain is part of the Gosaukamm ridge, located in the Dachstein mountain range in Austria. The Grosser Donnerkogel is 2054 m high. Just in front of it is the Kleiner Donnerkogel with a height of 1916 m.
What is a via Ferrata
A via Ferrata, which means “iron path” in Italian, is a climbing route, equipped with fixed anchors such as iron rungs, ladders, and cables. It helps climbers to ascend and traverse rocky terrain, making the routes accessible for people with no advanced climbing skills. Along the route, a steel cable runs to which you have to attach yourself with a via Ferrata kit for safety.
Via Ferratas originated in the Alps during World War I, allowing troops to move through mountainous terrain. Today, via Ferratas are primarily used for recreational purposes, offering a way to climb vertical and exposed alpine terrain more safely.
Klettersteig Donnerkogel
The official name of Klettersteig Donnerkogel is Intersport Klettersteig Donnerkogel. It is a 3-hour long via Ferrata that takes you to the top of the Grosser Donnerkogel with the Stairway to Heaven as epic highlight.
This via Ferrata is rated as C/D (very difficult) on the Austrian scale, which ranges from A (easy) to E (extremely difficult). This means it’s suitable for climbers with good physical fitness and who have done some climbing before.
The Klettersteig Donnerkogel includes vertical sections, steep rock faces, exposed sections, metal rungs, cables to help climbers, metal ladders, and the Sky Ladder suspension bridge. Some sections include easier paths or ledges where you can just walk instead of climbing (difficulty A/B). You’ll also pass some vertical and overhanging sections, that require more strength and technique to climb (difficulty C/D).
Along the way, you can enjoy some very scenic views over Gosau Valley and the surrounding mountains.
Important note: The Klettersteig Donnerkogel is not a hiking trail! It is a via Ferrata route which requires the necessary equipment and experience! Don’t do this trail if you don’t have equipment or experience! Knowledge of the correct use of the equipment is also required!
Donnerkogel Parking & Starting Point
Officially, the Donnerkogel Klettersteig starts and ends at the Gablonzer Hütte.
To get here, you first have to get to the ‘Parkplatz vorderer Gosausee‘ at Gosausee. You can get here by car or by bus 542 which runs from the neighboring towns towards the parking lot.
Here, you take the Gosaukammbahn cable car up to the mountain station. Alternatively, you can also hike up which takes around 1 hour to 1,5 hours. This is a great option if you want to save some money or if you want to climb before or after the cable car operation hours. You can also choose to take the cable car in one direction and hike the other way.
From the mountain station, you follow the wide gravel road for around 5 minutes to the Gablonzer Hütte.
Practical
Klettersteig Donnerkogel
Gablonzer Hütte - Start of the Donnerkogel Klettersteig
At the Gablonzer Hütte, you turn left following trail 611 to Donnerkogel, zigzagging up a ski slope. Hike for around 20 minutes until you reach the upper Törlegg saddle, where you turn left again. After a short descent, you reach the iron cable where the Donnerkogel Klettersteig starts.
Start - Stairway to Heaven
The first part of the Klettersteig Donnerkogel, you cross horizontally along a vertical wall and then climb vertically up. This part is already quite challenging. After this vertical climb, the climbing becomes a little less steep. You continue to climb along the narrow edge against the vertical wall, including some metal ladders.
Eventually, the climbing route turns into a walking path around the Kleiner Donnerkogel and then descends a bit. Finally, you turn around the corner of the Kleiner Donnerkogel and have to climb a bit along a vertical mountainside again until you finally see the Sky Ladder appear.
Climbing the Stairway to Heaven
The Stairway to Heaven is a vertical ladder suspended around 90 meters above the ground, almost at the end of the Donnerkogel Klettersteig. The ladder is approximately 40 meters long, bridging the Kleiner Donnerkogel to the Grosser Donnerkogel. A maximum of 3 climbers are allowed on the ladder at the same time. Don’t forget to clip your safety gear to the ladder. The easiest way is to hang one carabiner on each side and slide them up with both hands as you climb.
If this is just too exciting for you, luckily you can also walk around and skip the ladder.
Stairway to Heaven - Grosser Donnerkogel
In our opinion, the most difficult part is directly after the Stairway to Heaven. Here you have to climb vertically for quite some time. Be sure to look behind you to see what a beautiful environment you are hanging in against a vertical wall. Eventually, you climb over the edge of the vertical wall. Here, you can unclip from the metal cable of the Via Ferrata and hike the last part uphill until you reach the cross at the top of the Grosser Donnerkogel. Take some time to rest here and enjoy a phenomenal view.
Grosser Donnerkogel - Gablonzer Hütte
From the top of the Grosser Donnerkogel, you follow a steep rocky path back down. Keep following the red markings along the mountain flank back towards the Gablonzer hut. We hated this path because of the many loose stones and large rocks that required you to carefully place your feet. Eventually, you end up back on trail 628, where you turn right. Keep following this path until you get back to the Gablonzer Hütte where you left earlier that day.
When to climb
Season
The Klettersteig Donnerkogel is only accessible from May to October, depending on the snow conditions. It is not possible to climb the via Ferrata and the Sky Ladder during the winter, because the trail is completely covered in snow.
Time of the day
Most people need about 4 to 6 hours to complete the entire loop. We therefore recommend that you start climbing as early as possible. Be sure to take the timetable of the cable car into account, so that you make it before the last descent (unless you want to hike back down or stay in the Gablonzer Hütte).
Because it is one of the most famous via Ferratas in Austria, the route can get very busy, especially during the high season. There is a good chance that you will have to queue at the Ladder to Heaven because everyone wants to take a photo. If you want to beat the crowds, you can also spend the night in the Gablonzer Hütte and start very early in the morning or in the afternoon.
Weather Conditions
Do not try to climb the Klettersteig Donnerkogel in bad weather conditions such as rain and strong winds. Even just after rainfall, the path and cables will still be wet, making it dangerous to climb. It is best to climb on a clear and dry day.
Required Via Ferrata Equipment
To climb the Donnerkogel Klettersteig, you need a proper via Ferrata set, including a helmet, harness, via ferrata lanyards with carabiners, and sturdy footwear. Gloves are also recommended. Never ever ever try to climb a via Ferrata with a regular climbing set or without any equipment!
If you don’t have your own via Ferrata gear, you can rent some at Sport Jirka at the valley station of the Gosaukammbahn for €25 per day.
Download the “Schau Aufs Land” app via the link below and use our discount code: coordinotes10
Sleep at farms
Donnerkogel FAQ
What's the price of Klettersteig Donnerkogel?
Without a guide, the Klettersteig Donnerkogel itself is free to climb. You only have to pay for the cable car (€21,30 online) and the equipment rental (€25).
Can I climb the Donnerkogel Klettersteig if I have no climbing experience?
We do not recommend climbing the Donnerkogel via Ferrata if you have no climbing experience. There are some technical parts that require some experience. For your own safety, it is also very important to know how to correctly climb a via Ferrata and use your equipment. A mistake is easily made if you don't know what you are doing, which can lead to life-threatening situations. If you want to learn climbing via Ferratas, it is possible to take a course in Gosau.
I have climbed before, but I don't know if I can do the Donnerkogel. How do I know if I am experienced enough?
Do you know how to climb and use your equipment, but would you like to practice some more? There are plenty of via Ferratas of different levels in the area of Gosau. For example, there is the Laserer via Ferrata in Gosau where you can practice your skills.
Do I need to hire a guide?
A guide is not required to climb the Donnerkogel Klettersteig. However, if you don’t have any experience with climbing or via ferratas, but still want to climb the Stairway to Heaven Austria, we highly recommend you to take a course in Gosau or hire a guide.
Can I leave the Klettersteig Donnerkogel if it's too hard?
No, once you have started the via Ferrata there is no turning back. You can only skip the sky ladder by walking around, but even then you have to complete the entire via Ferrata. The ladder itself is one of the easier parts of the Donnerkogel Klettersteig. The most technical part is just after the ladder.
Can I climb the Stairway to Heaven without climbing the Donnerkogel Klettersteig
No, the only way to reach the ladder is via the Donnerkogel via Ferrata. You have to complete the entire route, so you cannot start somewhere halfway.
Where to stay
Camping
In the village of Gosau you will find two parking spaces specifically for campers. If you are looking for a campsite, the nearest ones are in Hallstatt: Campingplatz Klausner-Höll and Camping am See.
Close to Gosausee, there’s also a farm where you can stay for free in return for buying something from the farm shop when you are a member of Schau aufs Land.
Hotels
At Gosausee itself you can stay at Gasthof Gosausee, near the cable car. You will also find some nice accommodations to stay in the village of Gosau and on the road to Gosausee.
Would you like to start climbing in the morning before the cable car starts running or in the afternoon after the last cable car down? Then you can spend the night in the Gablonzer Hütte.
Hotels in Gosau
Discover the best places to stay in Gosau and enjoy a comfortable trip.
Tips & Safety
Do not climb the Klettersteig Donnerkogel …
- When it rains, during heavy winds, or right after rainfall.
- If you don’t have any climbing experience.
- Without proper Via Ferrata equipment.
- If you are unsure about your climbing skills.
- If you are afraid of heights.
Important hiking tips!
Other things to do in the area
Gosausee itself is a beautiful lake with the most perfect reflections on a windless day. You can walk around the entire lake in 1.5 to 2 hours.
Near Gosau you also find Hallstatt, one of the most picturesque villages in Austria. You can also visit Achensee and take some beautiful hikes in the region, such as the Schober-Frauenkopf hike.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
