Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave

Eisriesenwelt, German for 'World of the Ice Giants,' is a natural limestone and ice cave located in Werfen, Austria, within the Tennengebirge mountains. It is the largest ice cave in the world, stretching for more than 42 kilometers, though only the first kilometer, densely packed with intricate ice formations, is accessible to the public. The cave remained largely unknown to the wider world until its official discovery by Anton von Posselt in 1879, and it wasn't until the early 20th century that Alexander von Mörk spearheaded its exploration and eventual opening to tourists. Reaching the cave entrance at 1,641 meters is an adventure in itself, involving a ride on Austria's steepest cable car followed by a scenic mountain hike. Inside, the temperature stays below freezing year-round due to a 'chimney effect' where cold winter air is trapped within the mountain, freezing the spring meltwater into monumental structures of ice. These formations, such as the 'Ice Palace' and the 'Hymir Castle,' are constantly changing, slowly shifting and growing over the decades. To preserve the natural environment and provide an authentic experience, there is no permanent electric lighting; instead, guides use magnesium flares and visitors carry traditional carbide lamps, casting long, flickering shadows on the frozen walls and creating a sense of timeless wonder.

Nearby cities

Salzburg

The birthplace of Mozart, famous for its Baroque architecture and the Salzburg Festival.

Saalfelden

Saalfelden lies in a wide valley basin against the backdrop of the Steinerne Meer massif, serving as a hub for sports, culture, and mount…

Ried im Innkreis

Ried im Innkreis is an important economic center of the Innviertel region with focuses on mechanical engineering and the plastics industry.

Zell am See

Picturesque mountain town on Lake Zell, combining alpine flair with water sports and proximity to glaciers.

Bischofshofen

Bischofshofen is an important town in the Pongau and stands for Alpine transport, winter sports, and the Salzach Valley atmosphere.

Hallein

Hallein is a historic Celtic and salt-producing city in the state of Salzburg.

Sankt Johann im Pongau

Sankt Johann im Pongau is a major alpine hub in Salzburg State, famous for its Pongau Cathedral and the Liechtensteinklamm gorge.

Braunau am Inn

Braunau am Inn is a historic city in Upper Austria on the German border.

Voecklabruck

Vöcklabruck is a location for metalworking industry as well as various medium-sized manufacturing companies.

Mondsee

Historic town on the eponymous lake, famous for the 'Sound of Music' Basilica and pile dwellings.

Seekirchen

Seekirchen am Wallersee is a charming town in Salzburg's Flachgau region, located directly on the shores of Lake Wallersee and offering a…

Kaprun

Important holiday resort at the foot of Kitzsteinhorn, known for glacier skiing, reservoirs, and its medieval castle.

Bad Hofgastein

Sunny spa and sports resort in the Gastein Valley, known for the modern Alpentherme and family-friendly ski area.

Bad Ischl

Bad Ischl is a traditional spa town in the Salzkammergut.

Kuchl

Kuchl is a charming market town in the Salzach Valley, renowned as a major center for wood technology and vocational training.

History & landmarks

Werfen

A historic market town in the Salzach Valley, famous for Hohenwerfen Fortress and the world's largest ice cave.

Hohenwerfen Castle

The mighty Hohenwerfen Castle rises dramatically on a 155-meter-high, steep rocky cone high above the Salzach Valley and is surrounded by…

Hellbrunn Palace

A pleasure palace near Salzburg, famous for its unique water features, which have remained almost unchanged for 400 years.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

The Hohensalzburg Fortress is the widely visible landmark of the city of Mozart, Salzburg, sitting majestically on the Festungsberg hill …

Salzburg Festival

The Salzburg Festival is the world's most important festival of classical music and performing arts.

Mozarteum Foundation

The International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg has set itself the task of preserving the legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Nature

Werfen Ice Giants World

The largest ice cave in the world, a giant cave system with spectacular ice formations in the Tennengebirge mountains.

Gosau Lake

Gosau Lake is an alpine lake in the Dachstein Mountains in the Austrian state of Upper Austria.

Salzburg Zoo

The zoo is located in the Hellbrunn rock arena.

Hoher Dachstein

The Hoher Dachstein is the highest mountain of the Dachstein Mountains and Upper Austria.

Lake Wolfgang

The Wolfgangsee (Lake Wolfgang) is one of the most dazzling natural jewels in the Salzkammergut and fascinates with its crystal-clear, de…

More places

Bischofshofen Industry

In Bischofshofen, there are specialized metalworking companies and services for alpine infrastructure.

Hochkönig Mountain

Hochkönig is the highest mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps in Salzburg.

Hoher Göll

The Hoher Göll is a mountain in the Berchtesgaden Alps on the border between Salzburg and Bavaria.

Dachstein West

Dachstein West is a well-known ski region in the northern foothills of the Dachstein massif.

Schafberg

The Schafberg is located between Lake Wolfgang and Lake Mondsee in the Salzkammergut.

Dachstein Glacier

The Dachstein massif hosts the easternmost glaciers in the Alps.