We just visited Eisriesenwelt in Austria - the world's largest ice cave! Several readers told us about this very special cave, and of course we didn't want to miss it. We can say that it was the right decision. This is a very special cave!
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To Eisriesenwelt in Austria
After being tipped off about the Eisriesenwelt ice cave, we couldn't quite let it go. How exciting did it sound? The cave is located in Werfen, about 40 minutes south of Salzburg by car. We parked the motorhome at a ticket office, took a shuttle bus up through winding roads and started the hike up... Soooo beautiful!
Cable car ... again
If you read yesterday's post, about travelling cable car to the top of the Untersbergyou know that I (Helena) am not too fond of cable cars (read: terrified). But shame on the one who gives up! Now it was time again. This cable car was fortunately a little nicer. Or maybe I'm already getting used to it ...?
Continuing the hike to the ice cave
After the cable car stopped (at a station with a restaurant and toilets) we continued the hike upwards. And it just got more and more beautiful. This environment feels almost unreal!
World's largest ice cave in Austria
The Eisriesenwelt ice cave is a labyrinth with a total length of over 42 (!) kilometres. As a tourist, you only go through a tiny, tiny part of this, and yet you walk 134 metres up winding stairs.
Some of the halls are so large that a jumbo jet could fit inside and everywhere the cave is covered in ice, in the form of ice lakes, ice formations and huge ice columns. In many places the ice is 25 metres (!) thick. It was absolutely forbidden to take photos inside the cave, so we have to show pictures from the ice lake instead. website.
Nature enthusiast and explorer Anton von Posselt-Czorich from Salzburg discovered the ice cave in 1879, but despite publishing an article about it, it was soon forgotten. It was only in 1913 that Alexander von Mörk, a cave explorer, took an interest in the cave and made it known to the world. As early as 1920, tourists started coming here, but you had to walk to get there. all the way on footand there were no stairs either. Today it is much easier to visit the cave!
Who can visit the ice cave?
Inside the cave, you climb 134 metres of stairs, the height of a 40-storey building. It is not a difficult hike, nor is it very fast, but everyone has to judge for themselves what they can do. According to information, people with severe walking difficulties and people with heart problems are advised not to visit the cave.
Parents can decide for themselves whether the cave visit is suitable for their children, but it is stated that the visit is often not suitable for children up to 3-4 years old. If children come, they should wear warm clothes, including hats and mittens. The cave is open to animals, but the visit is not recommended due to the large number of steps.
What to wear/bring with you?
It's a relatively long uphill hike to get to the ice cave, so wear your best hiking shoes! Inside the cave it's 0 degrees centigrade and you'll be there for 60-70 minutes, so make sure you bring warm clothes.
Photography is not allowed inside the cave, but you should bring your camera/mobile phone to capture the amazing views along the way to the cave! There is a small food service at the station where the cable car stops. You may still want to bring a drink and a packed lunch or some quick energy.
Getting to the Eisriesenwelt in Austria
The ice cave is located at Eishöhlenstrasse 30 in Werfen, just south of Salzburg. You can drive here with your own car/camper or go on an organised tour. You will first arrive at a large car park, where you can leave your car/camper and take a shuttle bus closer to the cave.
It is also possible to drive the same route as the shuttle bus, but be prepared for steep and winding roads. When the bus stops, there is a little hiking, then a cable car, and then hiking again. Then you will arrive at the fantastic cave!
Film from the world's largest ice cave
Peter has put together a film from Eisriesenwelt, the world's largest ice cave. Don't miss checking it out!
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diana's dreams says:
Wow, what adventures you are on 🙂 hugs
19 July 2018 - 7:43
Helena says:
The visit to the cave was a real adventure! 🙂
19 July 2018 - 9:28
Inga Magnusson says:
Powerful!
19 July 2018 - 8:17
Helena says:
The mountains are incredibly powerful!!!
19 July 2018 - 9:28
Snows says:
Cable cars are not my thing either but the cave was really amazing so maybe I should make the sacrifice 😉.
19 July 2018 - 8:23
Helena says:
Yes, I feel that I have to "sacrifice" myself. Otherwise you do not get to experience this nice and cool 🙂
19 July 2018 - 9:30
Kenneth Risberg says:
From beautiful buildings and cities to stunning mountain landscapes and awesome caves. You'll probably make the trip of the year.
Riding that cable car must be tickling your stomach.
Great pictures/film.
19 July 2018 - 8:27
Helena says:
This is definitely the trip of the year for us! 🙂
19 July 2018 - 9:31
Husis blog says:
I have to say wow again, what a cave. Must have been really cool to see this IRL.
You can ride a little more cable car so you will see if it was because this was smaller or if you are actually starting to get used to it... 🙂 .
19 July 2018 - 8:55
Helena says:
There will be more cable cars ? so I will notice... 😉.
19 July 2018 - 9:32
Ama de casa says:
What an incredibly cool place - in a double sense! But the stairs sound a bit daunting, I think I'll wait until they have installed escalators. Or a lift 😉 .
Great views too!
19 July 2018 - 9:33
Helena says:
Haha, escalators would be something 😉 The view is awesome! 🙂
19 July 2018 - 19:20
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
The Eisriesenwelt ice cave is something I haven't heard of before.
19 July 2018 - 10:12
Helena says:
We hadn't done that before either. There is a lot to discover! 🙂
19 July 2018 - 19:21
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
It's amazing how many cool places there are and how many great tips you get from blogs! We have never heard of this cave and the "to-do list" is getting longer and longer.....
Practice makes perfect - Peter's films just get better!
19 July 2018 - 11:16
Helena says:
Surely there are many places to discover! I agree that blogs are a great source of information! Our list also tends to be long ... 😉 ...
19 July 2018 - 19:22
JoY says:
Glad you took my tip? When we were there, you had to walk in the dark with a carbide lamp and the guide stopped and lit up the halls with some glow sticks. It really is an amazing cave.
Hugs
19 July 2018 - 11:56
Helena says:
Yes!!! Thank you so much for the tip!!! It was the same now, walking with lamps with a flame. I probably forgot to write it! Cool visit to the cave really!!!
19 July 2018 - 19:23
Our Vantastic Travels says:
Amazing what nature can do! Time to take a trip there again, as it has been prepared with stairs and lighting, since we were there in the late 70s. We had no mittens or hats for the children when we were in Croatia with the caravan. But everything went well anyway,
19 July 2018 - 12:03
Helena says:
Wow, how cool that you were there in the 70s, before the stairs existed!!!! Maybe interesting with a return visit then, and see what has changed! 🙂
19 July 2018 - 19:25
Mr Steve says:
You are on a breathtaking adventure. Soon the cable car will be a piece of cake for you.
Great film.
19 July 2018 - 12:55
Helena says:
It has actually become easier and easier with the cable car! ?
19 July 2018 - 19:25
Matts Torebring says:
What an experience it must have been to go into the cave and see the nature outside.
19 July 2018 - 19:48
Helena says:
The nature here in Austria is amazing, especially when you get to higher altitudes!
20 July 2018 - 7:11
Mr Andersson says:
Nice report! Visited the ice cave yesterday, in the fog, may seem like a good idea but we missed the whole nice view on the way up and down 🤗 but lucky that we have been here once before (1987, (train trip time😍) but the walk / hike from the car park to the lift and then from the lift to the cave opening is the same, a dose of real exercise and all the steps in the cave. Nice visit, and if you want to enjoy the view, choose clear weather for the cave visit (like you did) 👍🏻👍🏻
On the way down, the weather cleared somewhat and I again took pictures of the Eagle's Nest of the film, from the mountain, where the ice cave is located, you get nice pictures.
18 July 2021 - 8:37
BP says:
I have never heard of that ice cave. Great to be able to ride shotgun with you. What breathtaking views! Good thing I'm not afraid of heights - I was thinking of the great film that I'm sure Peter and not you Helena took.
The interior of the cave is as breathtaking as the landscape outside. WOW again!
19 July 2018 - 20:37
Helena says:
Yes, it is Peter who made the film! It is always he who films and edits film 🙂 And of course the landscape is fantastic!!!!
20 July 2018 - 7:12
Lena - good for the soul says:
But wow! I have to go there sometime! So beautiful! And as usual great film!
Hug Lena
20 July 2018 - 7:42
Helena says:
Amazing and very special place!
31 August 2018 - 16:31