Dachstein Giant Ice Cave
An ice cave in the Dachstein above Obertraun, holding formations that grow and shrink with the seasons.
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UNESCO World Heritage
The Dachstein Rieseneishöhle sits at around 1,450 metres in the limestone of the Dachstein above Obertraun, and the ice in it is not a glacier remnant but seasonal: meltwater and rain enter in spring, freeze in chambers that hold cold air trapped from winter, and build formations that grow and shrink year to year - which means the shapes the guides name are not permanent and the overall ice volume has been declining. The show route passes through chambers with names from the Nibelungen saga, lit to bring out the ice walls and floors. The neighbouring Mammuthöhle, a huge non-icy system, and the Koppenbrüllerhöhle river cave are on the same ticket options. Access is by cable car from the valley and a walk from the middle station.
What you actually see
- Seasonal ice formations - built and lost each year rather than permanent.
- Named ice chambers - the show route through halls named from the Nibelungen.
- A cable car approach - up from Obertraun, then fifteen minutes on foot.
- Neighbouring caves - the Mammuthöhle and the Koppenbrüllerhöhle nearby.
When to go
May to October; the cave is closed in winter. Half a day.
Honest expectations
It is close to freezing inside - warm clothing is essential in any season. Guided tours only, with a timetable and queues in summer. Ice volume has fallen; older photographs show more.
Nearby
Hallstatt is across the lake; the Five Fingers viewpoint is on the same mountain.
What to pack for Dachstein Giant Ice Cave
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
