Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria is home to many caves, with the main concentration found in the Northern Limestone Alps, a mountain range of the Eastern Alps. Many of these caves are located in the geographical region of Salzkammergut and in the Totes Gebirge. One of the most notable caves in Austria is the Eisriesenwelt, which translates to world of ice giants. This cave system extends more than 42 km deep into the mountain and is known for its impressive ice formations. Other popular caves in Austria include the Tischofer cave, known for its Stone Age bone finds, and the Lurgrotte, one of the largest show caves in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Eisriesenwelt |
| Location | Werfen, Northern Limestone Alps |
| Type | Ice cave |
| Size | 42 km deep, 20 m wide, 18 m high |
| Features | Ice palaces, crystalline beauty, winding passageways, galleries |
| Accessibility | 20-minute walk from car park to cable car, 20-minute walk from cable car to cave, 1400 steps to climb in the cave |
| Timing | Open from May 1 to October 31, daily |
| Tickets | Available online and on-site; discounted group rates for 20+ people; free entry for guide and bus driver |
| Amenities | Restaurants |
| Recommendations | Good shoes, warm clothing, rucksack |
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What You'll Learn
The world's largest ice cave is in Austria
The world's largest ice cave is located in Austria, in the Austrian Alps. Known as Eisriesenwelt, or the "World of the Ice Giants", the cave is 26 miles deep, although only the first half-mile of the formation is open to visitors. The cave is located on the Hochkogel mountain, less than an hour from the city of Salzburg.
The journey to the cave is an adventure in itself. Visitors must first hike for 20 minutes from the car park to the cable car station, and then take another 20-minute hike from the cable car station to the cave entrance. The cable car ride offers spectacular views of the mountain and the steep walls of the cave. Once at the cave entrance, there are 1,400 steps to climb, 700 up and 700 back. The temperature inside the cave is 0 degrees Celsius or below, so visitors are advised to bring warm clothing, including gloves, hats, and warm jackets. Good shoes are also essential, as the steps can be slippery.
The lighting inside the cave is quite dark, with only the light from torches and historically recreated lamps to guide visitors. There are no electric lights, in order to provide an authentic cave experience. The ice formations inside the cave are impressive, with garlands of icicles, frozen cascades of blue-hued waterfalls, and ice cones as tall as a 10-story building. At the end of the guided tour, visitors arrive at a frozen lake inside a chamber known as the Eispalast, or "Ice Palace".
The Eisriesenwelt ice cave is a magical and otherworldly experience, offering a glimpse into the planet's geological and climatic past. It is a popular attraction, with thousands of visitors each year. The cave is open to the public from May to October, and tickets can be purchased online.
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Austrian caves are concentrated in the Northern Limestone Alps
Austria is home to several caves, many of which are popular tourist attractions. The main concentration of Austrian caves is in the Northern Limestone Alps, a mountain range in the Eastern Alps. Many of these caves are located in the geographical region of Salzkammergut and in the Totes Gebirge.
One of the most notable caves in Austria is the Eisriesenwelt, or "World of Ice Giants", located outside Werfen, close to Salzburg. This cave system extends more than 42 kilometres deep into the mountain, with the first section, about one kilometre in length, featuring impressive ice formations. It is the largest ice cave in the world and is a protected natural monument, carefully preserved to maintain its unique beauty and ecosystem. The cave is accessible by cable car, and visitors are equipped with historically recreated lamps to explore the cave on secure pathways. The lighting from the torches creates a fascinating and spectacular atmosphere. The walk to the cave is quite challenging, with a 20-minute walk from the car park to the cable car and an additional 20-minute walk from the cable car station to the cave, followed by 1,400 steps to climb inside the cave.
Another notable cave in Austria is the Lurgrotte, one of the largest show caves in the country. It offers a unique experience with climbing and exploration. However, the guide may not speak English, which can be a limitation for some visitors. The Tischofer cave is also worth mentioning, with a length of approximately 40 metres, a width of 20 metres, and a height of 9 metres. This cave is known for its Stone Age bone finds, including tools and spear tips.
The Giant Ice Caves in Werfen, near Salzburg, are another popular attraction, boasting the title of the biggest ice caves in the world. Visitors can explore impressive ice formations and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, Judenburg is home to impressive ice caves, offering 50-minute tours in German and English. These tours require a good level of fitness and appropriate footwear due to the significant amount of uphill walking involved.
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Tischofer cave is known for its Stone Age artefacts
The Tischofer Cave (German: Tischofer Höhle) is a cave in the Kaisertal valley in the Kaisergebirge mountains in Austria. It is known for its Stone Age artefacts, excavated skeletal remains, and tools made from bone. The cave is roughly 40 metres long and 8.5 metres high at the entrance. It was used as a shelter by cave bears and other predators during the Paleolithic era, evidenced by the numerous excavated skeletal remains. The cave bear bones and bone tools discovered in the cave have been dated to about 27,000-28,000 years ago, making it the oldest proven site of human occupation in Tyrol.
The Stone Age artefacts found in the Tischofer Cave provide valuable insights into the lives of early humans in the region. The cave was occupied by paleo-humans who utilised the cave bear bones and skulls to create tools. The discovery of these artefacts suggests that the cave was an important site for early human habitation and tool-making. The bone tools are on display at the local history museum in the fortress of Kufstein, along with other artefacts found in the cave.
In addition to the Stone Age artefacts, the Tischofer Cave has also yielded discoveries from more recent periods. For example, human skeletons and associated tools indicate that the cave served as a copper smithy and foundry during the Bronze Age. The cave was also important locally as a gathering place and weapons cache for local rebels during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Tischofer Cave can be reached on foot via the Kaiser Path (Kaiseraufstieg) in the Kaisertal valley. The path is secured with cable railings and leads to the impressive entrance portal of the cave, which is 80 metres above the valley floor, 20 metres wide, and 8 metres high. The cave has a rich history, not only for its archaeological significance but also for its role in the Tyrolean Rebellion during the Napoleonic Wars.
The name "Tischofer" has an interesting origin. Initially, the cave was called "Schäferhöhle" or "Shepherd's Cave" as it was used by shepherds. During the Tyrolean Rebellion in 1809, the cave served as a strategic hideout for the freedom fighters, who stored food and weapons there. According to legend, there was a desk in the middle of the cave, and the freedom fighters would refer to going to the "Tisch oba" (up to the desk) in their local dialect. This phrase became a sort of password and was later used to refer to the cave itself.
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The Lurgrotte is one of the largest show caves in Austria
The Lurgrotte was first scientifically explored by Italian cave explorer Max Brunello on April 1, 1894. However, it gained fame shortly after when seven experienced speleologists were trapped inside due to a surprise flood and had to be rescued after nine days. In 1905, members of the Austrian Tourist Club surveyed the cave, and in the 1920s, cave explorer Hermann Mayer worked to develop the Peggauer section for visitors. It became a show cave in 1935 after the first complete traverse and could be walked through entirely from 1962 to 1975.
The Lurgrotte is known for its impressive stalactites, including the "Giant," a 40-ton stalactite that is likely the thickest free-hanging stalactite globally. The cave also has archaeological significance, with findings indicating habitation since the Paleolithic era. Neanderthals and cave bears sought shelter in the outer parts of the cave about 50,000 years ago.
Today, visitors can explore the Lurgrotte on guided tours, which can last up to seven hours and involve crawling and wading through waist-deep water. The cave is accessible from both the Peggau and Semriach entrances, and it is the only cave in Austria with two entrances. The well-developed paths inside mean no special safety precautions are necessary during the tour, but sturdy footwear is recommended.
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The Giant Ice Caves in Werfen are a popular attraction
The Giant Ice Caves are open to the public from May 1 to October 31, with operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in July and August, and 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in May, June, September, and October. The tour begins at the entrance to the cave, where the temperature is usually below freezing, and visitors are advised to wear warm clothing. The whole journey to the peak of this massive mountain is an Austrian engineering marvel, and the access built to the cave is quite impressive. The cave features impressive ice formations and a mysterious world of ice that extends more than 42 km deep into the mountain. Although the cave is 42 km long, only the first kilometre, which is covered in ice, is accessible to tourists. The rest of the cave is made of limestone.
The tour starts at the Posselt Hall, a large room with a stalagmite called the Posselt Tower in the centre. Past the Posselt Tower is an ashen cross on the wall, marking the farthest point of exploration of Anton Posselt. The tour then continues to the Alexander von Mörk Cathedral, one of the largest rooms in the cave and the final resting place of von Mörk's ashes. The final stop is the Ice Palace, a kilometre into the cave and 400 metres underground. From here, visitors begin their journey back to the entrance. The entire tour takes around one hour and 15 minutes.
The Giant Ice Caves can be reached via a cable car, with a 20-minute walk from the car park to the cable car station and an additional 20-minute walk from the station to the cave. There are 1,400 steps to climb in the cave, 700 up and 700 back. The lighting inside the cave is quite dark, and traditional mine lamps are provided to visitors. Tours are offered in German and English, and there is a tour every half hour. Photography is not permitted inside the cave, but there are restaurants and toilets at the cable car station and the cave entrance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Eisriesenwelt (or "world of ice giants") in Werfen, Austria, is the world's biggest ice cave, extending more than 42 km deep into the mountain.
Visitors to the Eisriesenwelt are advised to wear good sports shoes or sturdy footwear, as well as warm outer clothing. There is no electricity in the cave, so visitors will be equipped with historically recreated lamps to explore the cave.
The Lurgrotte is one of the largest show caves in Austria. The Tischofer cave is another notable cave in Austria, known for its Stone Age bone finds, including tools and spear tips.
