Obir Dripstone Caves

The Obir caves were found by accident: miners driving galleries for lead and zinc in the Hochobir in 1870 broke into a natural cavity, and further chambers were opened as the workings extended. The mine closed in 1903 and the caves were left until they were developed for visitors in the 1990s, which is why the entry is through a mine adit rather than a natural mouth - a bus takes you up the mountain road and you walk in through the tunnel. What was done inside distinguishes it from most show caves: the lighting was designed as a scheme rather than simply installed, with sequences that reveal chambers gradually and a section on the geology and on earthquakes, since a seismographic station operates in the stable conditions underground.

The landscape

• A mine tunnel entrance - the way in, driven for lead and zinc in the 1870s.
• Designed lighting - sequences revealing the chambers rather than flat floodlight.
• Dripstone formations - the flowstone and columns the caves were developed for.
• A seismographic station - working in the stable conditions underground.

When to go

April to October; the caves hold around eight degrees year-round. Half a day.

Practical notes

Guided tours only, running to a timetable, and it is cold inside - bring a jacket. Access is by shuttle bus from the ticket office, which adds time. Tours are largely in German.

Nearby

Bad Eisenkappel and the Trögerner Klamm are close; Slovenia is over the border.

Key facts