The Most Beautiful Sunset Spots in the Schladming-Dachstein region
When the last rays of the sun illuminate the mountain peaks... When silence settles in and the day slowly draws to a close... When the horizon is bathed in a warm red and the first lights come on in the valley… Watching the sunset from a mountaintop is one of those truly special mountain experiences that constantly reminds you of the uniqueness and beauty of nature. In this blog post, we’ll share some spots for breathtaking sunsets in the Schladming-Dachstein region:
Stoderzinken
With its unique 360-degree panoramic view stretching from the mighty Dachstein, across the Ennstal Valley and the Schladminger Tauern, on to the Styrian Salzkammergut, and all the way to the Gesäuse Mountains, the Stoderzinken is a fantastic mountain peak from which to watch the sunset. Even the drive up the Stoderzinken Alpine Road is an experience in itself. Starting from the parking lot, it takes about 50 minutes to reach the summit. Another reason why the Stoderzinken is a favorite destination for me for a sunset hike is that the short return trip allows you to reach your car before it gets completely dark.
Krahberg prongs
There are certain things that never lose their appeal, no matter how many times you experience them. This is also true of sunsets. Every sunset is different. Every sunset is unique in its own way. When calm settles over the mountain and most hikers have returned to the valley after their day’s hike, you might just spot one or two of the mountain’s animal inhabitants.
After driving up the toll road to Planai, you’ll reach the summit after a hike of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The final steep section to the summit requires a head for heights and sure-footedness, though it is secured with a rope. With a view of the Dachstein Trio and the Bischofsmütze bathed in the evening glow, the day comes to a wonderful close. However, you shouldn’t set out too late if you want to make it through the tricky section while it’s still light out.
Gasselhöhe
You don’t always need perfect weather to see the most beautiful sunsets. In fact, a few scattered clouds can create the most impressive atmospheres, like here on the Gasselhöhe. Coming via the Reiteralmstraße, you’ll find parking at the Gasselhöh’ Hütte, Reiteralmhütte, or Eiskarhütte. The trail to the summit involves a short climb and takes a good hour; the return trip follows the same route.
A truly beautiful, longer option is the approximately three-hour Reiteralm High-Altitude Loop Trail. Author’s tip: For a sunset hike, I personally prefer to hike the loop in reverse order. The trail leads across the picturesque Spiegelsee to Rippetegg. This is followed by a descent along the ridge to the aforementioned Gasselhöhe—a wonderful spot for a magnificent sunset.
