Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave

The Eisriesenwelt, the World of the Ice Giants, is the largest ice cave on earth, a vast frozen realm inside a mountain high above the Salzach valley near Werfen. Reached by a road, a cable car and a climb, its first section is filled with extraordinary ice formations, glittering walls and frozen waterfalls, explored on a guided tour by the light of carbide lanterns.

Highlights

• The ice formations - the glittering ice walls, columns and frozen waterfalls.
• The lantern tour - the guided walk through the ice by carbide lamplight.
• The mountain approach - the cable car and cliff-edge path to the entrance.
• The frozen chambers - the great ice-filled halls near the cave mouth.

When to go

The season from May to October, when the cave, cable car and tours run; it closes in winter. Even in summer the cave is below freezing, so warm clothes are essential.

What to expect

It is cold inside even in summer, so bring warm layers and sturdy shoes. Reaching it involves a drive, a cable car and a fair uphill walk, then many steps inside on the tour. It is seen only on a guided tour, in the ice-filled first section, not the whole cave.

Nearby

Werfen and its Hohenwerfen castle are below; Salzburg is about forty minutes away.