Ramsau am Dachstein
Silberkar Lake - a hidden treasure
Waterway
Data:
copyright: René Eduard Perhab
15.10. - 17.05.2026
Tour description
The Silberkarsee – actually Hölltalsee – is a lake in the limestone of the Dachstein massif. It is located on a side route of the so-called "Königsetappe" (King's Stage) in Ramsau. It owes its name to the most common ascent route through the Silbarkar Gorge. The lake's water level fluctuates considerably and is highly dependent on the amount of precipitation in the Dachstein Mountains. At times, it can even dry out completely.
The tour
moderate
publicly accessible
Starting and end point
Silberkarklamm bus stop or Silberkarklamm parking lot
Tour characteristics
Fitness (4/6)
Skills (4/6)
Information
Distance: 10 km
Duration:
5 h
Ascent: 1120 m
Descent: 1120 m
highest point: 1923 m
Best season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Map, elevation profile & further information
From the Silberkarklamm stop, walk up the parking lot to the entrance to the Silberkarklamm Gorge. After paying the maintenance fee, climb the wooden stairs through the gorge up into the Silberkar cirque and soon reach the Silberkar Hut. At the crossroads behind the hut, the climb becomes somewhat steeper and soon winds up through the mountain pines in small switchbacks. Past the exit route of the Siega via ferrata, the trail continues up through the extensive mountain pine fields. On one of the larger open spaces, you reach the Stangalm, from which it is now not far to the Grubach crossroads. Here you reach the highest point of your tour (unless you decide to extend the tour via the Königsetappe). From the Grubach, a narrow path leads you through mountain pines down to the Silberkarsee lake, where you can relax on the shore for a break.
The return journey follows the same route. An alternative route to the valley is to take hiking trail #66 through the Seetal valley up to trail #616 and then along this to the Guttenberghaus, and from there back to Ramsau am Dachstein.
The return journey follows the same route. An alternative route to the valley is to take hiking trail #66 through the Seetal valley up to trail #616 and then along this to the Guttenberghaus, and from there back to Ramsau am Dachstein.
Trail conditions
From west: Tauernautobahn A 10 to the Ennstal junction - exit in the direction of Graz/Schladming - around 20 km on the Ennstal federal road to Schladming - Ramsau junction. In Ramsau to the "Stierer-Kreisung" where you turn towards Rössing. Downhill to Rössing and left at the Lodenwalker up to the Silberkarklamm car park.
From North/East: Pyhrn autobahn in the direction of Liezen and Ennstal federal road to Aich. At Höhenfeld, turn off in the direction of Ramsau am Dachstein. Through Weißenbach near Haus and along the state road to Ramsau Rössing. Turn right at the Lodenwalker and up to the Silberkarklamm car park.
Silberkarklamm car park. Attention: partly subject to a fee!With the regular buses of the Ramsauer Verkehrsbetriebe (route # 962) to the Silberkarklamm stop in Ramsau Rössing.
Schedula available at: www.rvb.at
A good backpack is helpful, and for routes in alpine terrain, a hood, gloves, a good jacket, and pants are essential equipment. Good, waterproof shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and sufficient drinks are essential. A flashlight, maps, a knife, and a small first-aid kit are also essential.
Sudden changes in the weather, rapid drops in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog, and snowfields are objective hazards and require proper behavior while out and about. Hut keepers are experienced mountaineers and can provide good tips on the weather and the route. Inadequate equipment, overconfidence, carelessness, poor physical condition, and incorrect assessment can lead to critical situations. During thunderstorms: Avoid summits, ridges, and rope safety devices at all costs.
GPS data and orientation aids
Available GPS data—like hiking maps—are only a guide, as they can never accurately depict or represent the richness of detail of a real trail. Especially in dangerous areas, the decision as to whether and how to proceed must always be based on the local conditions.
In case of emergency, please call the following emergency numbers:
Sudden changes in the weather, rapid drops in temperature, thunderstorms, wind, fog, and snowfields are objective hazards and require proper behavior while out and about. Hut keepers are experienced mountaineers and can provide good tips on the weather and the route. Inadequate equipment, overconfidence, carelessness, poor physical condition, and incorrect assessment can lead to critical situations. During thunderstorms: Avoid summits, ridges, and rope safety devices at all costs.
GPS data and orientation aids
Available GPS data—like hiking maps—are only a guide, as they can never accurately depict or represent the richness of detail of a real trail. Especially in dangerous areas, the decision as to whether and how to proceed must always be based on the local conditions.
In case of emergency, please call the following emergency numbers:
- 140 - for alpine emergencies - Austria-wide
- 112 - Euro emergency number GSM emergency service
If you'd like to take a loop and don't want to take the same route back, you can take trail #66 through Seetal to the crossroads with trail #616 and from there descend back to Ramsau via the Guttenberghaus.
