The World's Largest Ice Cave is in Austria, and it's Spectacular
Known for being somewhat of a winter wonderland, with its many ski resorts and guaranteed snowfall, perhaps it comes as no surprise that Austria is home to the world’s largest ice cave – a sprawling set of winding, glittering caverns, and tunnels, with icebergs hanging down from the roof like daggers and rivers seemingly stuck in time. Read on to find out more about this unique natural wonder, known locally as ‘the world of ice giants.’
Discovery
The entrance to this frozen labyrinth is inconspicuously located in the Tennengebirge mountains above the town of Werfen, in the province of Salzburg. The caves are believed to have formed during a geological time known as the Tertiary Period. However, they were only discovered much, much later in 1879, by an Austrian explorer, Alexander von Mörk, who was one of the founders of the Salzburg Cave Explorers. Years later, after research had been conducted, the caves become more well known to visitors to the area, and various structures were installed to make exploring the interior easier, including a visitor’s lodge.
Stretching across for about 40 kilometres (25 miles), the dramatic cavern appears to have been expertly crafted by inventive architects, rather than being an entirely organically produced structure. The interweaving hallways and crevices are formed so that air can pass through, making it possible for water to trickle through during the warmer seasons and then freeze under colder temperatures to form the dramatic, natural sculptures.
Exploring for yourself
Lamp-lit tours of the incredible subterranean ice palace can be taken between May and October – however, be sure that you’re warmly dressed, even if visiting in the summer months, for reasons that we shouldn’t need to explain. A local guide will take you through the tunnels, beginning at the Posselt Hall that contains the Posselt Tower stalagmite (a special kind of rock formation), then you’ll move to the area known as the Great Ice Embankment, which is a spectacular formation that staggers over you at about 75 feet (23 metres). You then pass through the Hymir’s Castle, and end up at the resting place of the ashes of the cave’s discoverer, Alexander von Mörk’s, where the tour ends.
Eisriesenwelt, Eishohlenstrasse 30, Werfen, Austria, +43 6468 5248
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
