The ice cave in Werfen has become a popular tourist site called “World of Ice Giants” (in German: Eisriesenwelt), and hundreds of thousands of tourists arrive each year to tour the cave and see the enormous glaciers inside. Walking inside the cave is quite challenging and requires climbing up and down many steps. The temperature inside always remains around 0 degrees Celsius, so you must come equipped with appropriate clothing and proper shoes.
A visit to the cave is excellent for rainy days, but it is even more recommended on beautiful days (so you can also enjoy the spectacular views of the entire area).
The Story of the Werfen Ice Cave
For many years, the local residents believed that the opening at the summit of the Hochkogel mountain was none other than the entrance to hell. Therefore, no one dared to venture into the dark opening. It was only at the end of the 19th century that a man named Anton von Posselt-Czorich, a naturalist from Salzburg, made the journey up the mountain and entered the cave for the first time. He was the first to discover the vast world of ice hidden within.
A year after his visit to the cave, Anton published a comprehensive report on his discovery, but it did not receive much enthusiasm. It was only about 15 years after the report’s publication that a man named Alexander von Mörk, the founder of the Salzburg Cave Exploration Society, understood the importance of Anton von Posselt-Czorich’s discovery. Accompanied by a few other explorers, he set out to explore the cave, and thanks to him, it became a famous and tourist-frequented place.
In the 1920s, a basic walking path was installed which helped with walking inside the cave, and several huts were built nearby to provide food and drink for the visitors who came. For about 35 years, the only way to reach the cave was by a steep and difficult hike that took several hours. In 1955, the cable car was built, shortening the ascent time to just 20 minutes.
The World of the Ice Giants – General Information
The cave is 40 kilometers long, but only one kilometer is open to visitors. In fact, only the first kilometer, which can be seen on the tour, is covered in ice; after that, the cave becomes quite ordinary.
The cave was formed through a long and slow process in which snowmelt seeped through the rock layers and slowly froze and accumulated inside the cave. The glaciers in the cave’s chambers were formed in various interesting shapes; some are huge blocks of ice, and some are thin icicles.
The cave is open throughout the year, and the temperature inside is maintained at around 0 degrees Celsius. In winter, cold winds enter the cave and freeze the ice, and in summer, the cold from the glaciers prevents the sun’s heat from penetrating inside.
This is what the cave looks like:
Tour Inside the Cave
A visit to the cave is only possible as part of a guided tour. The tour lasts about an hour and a quarter, during which you pass through the various chambers of the cave along a one-kilometer route. The walking path reaches a depth of 400 meters inside the mountain and therefore requires descending and ascending many stairs.
The tour begins at the entrance to the cave and from there passes among impressive glaciers in the various cave chambers, which are named after the explorers who discovered it. One of the cave chambers is called the Alexander von Mörk Cathedral, and it contains the explorer’s ashes. The last stop on the tour is called the Ice Palace and is located 400 meters deep inside the mountain. From there, you have to climb all the way back up to the exit.
At the beginning of the tour, you receive lanterns and use them to walk through the dark cave. The guide has a special lantern with which he will showcase the different ice formations. Due to the high number of visitors and since the tours are timed, it is not possible to take photos or record inside the cave.
The temperatures inside the cave are very low, so you must be equipped with winter clothing – a coat, hat, scarf, and gloves will allow you to enjoy the tour without freezing. It is also important to wear closed-toe walking shoes suitable for hiking – it is recommended that they have non-slip soles.
Essential Information for Visiting the Cave
- Duration of the visit: You should plan at least 3 hours for the visit to the ice cave. After purchasing the tickets, there is a walk of about 20 minutes to the cable car station. After the cable car ride, there is another 20-minute walk to the cave entrance. There, the guided tour begins, which takes about an hour and a quarter. The return journey is the same way. Near the cable car stations, there are hikers’ huts (Dr. Oedl Haus – Wimmerhütte) where you can stop for a short meal and refreshment.
- Parking: There is an organized parking lot near the ticket offices.
- Operating Times: Every day from May 1st to October 31st. Tours depart every half hour.
Opening Hours:
- Ticket office: Every day from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Cable car: Every day from 8:45 AM to 3:20 PM.
- Cave tour: Every day from 9:30 AM to 3:45 PM.
Costs: The costs include the cable car ride (ascent and descent) and the cave tour.
- Adult: €38 when purchased online. €42 at the ticket office.
- Youth: €27 when purchased online. €29 at the ticket office.
- Child: €19 when purchased online. €21 at the ticket office.
Address: Eishöhlenstraße 30, 5450 Werfen
Map:
Other Attractions in the Area
- About a 20-minute drive from the ice cave is a stunningly beautiful castle called Hohenwerfen Castle. This is an excellent place to combine with a visit to the ice caves. You can find more information in our detailed article about the castle.
- About a 40-minute drive north of the cave is the beautiful town of Golling and nearby, the wonderful Golling Waterfalls. You can find more information in our detailed article about the town and the falls.
- About a 50-minute drive from the cave are the ancient salt mines of Hallein. This is a fun place for the whole family. You can read comprehensive information about the salt mines in the detailed article we have prepared.
