Ramsau am Dachstein

To the north of Schladming the Ramsau (1,000-1,200m/3,300-3,900ft), a high plateau 18km/11mi long by 4km/2.5mi wide, extends below the imposing face of the Dachstein massif. This is a popular walking and skiing area with a strung out hamlet of the same name (pop. 2,000). A road 16km/10mi long (part of the way subject to toll) passes through Ramsau-Kulm (1,082m/3,550ft) and Ramsau-Ort (1,136m/3,727ft) to a parking lot at the Türlwandhütte (1,715m/5,627ft). From here the Ramsau Gletscherbahn or Dachsteinsüdwandbahn (cableway) climbs northeast to the Hunerkogel (upper station 2,700m/8,860ft), on the Schladming glacier (summer skiing); to the east rears the Grosser Koppenkarstein (2,865m/9,400ft). From the Türlwandhütte it is a half hour climb to the Dachsteinsüdwandhütte (1,871m/6,139ft; inn; accommodation), a base of the Dachstein climbing school; immediately opposite rises the mighty southern face of the Dachstein.