Inside the World’s Largest Ice Cave: Eisriesenwelt
“How did you even find this place?” Those were my boyfriend’s exact words as we rode the shuttle bus up to Eisriesenwelt in Werfen, Austria. I didn’t really have an answer. All I remember is seeing some really cool pictures on the internet and thinking, “I need to go.” Little did I know that visiting the world’s largest ice cave wasn’t going to be a short quest. Or an easy one.
If you’re like me and are inspired to visit Eisriesenwelt, there are some things to know before you make the trek. And that isn’t hyperbole.
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Eisriesenwelt at a Glance
📍 Location: Werfen, Austria
🚆 From Salzburg: Approximately 40 minutes by train
📅 Opening Dates: May 1 to November 1
⏰ Time Needed: 4-5 hours
🥾 Difficulty: Strenuous; 1,400 stairs inside the cave
🎟️ Tickets: Book online for a discount
🚠 How to Get There: Shuttle bus, two 20-minute walks, and a cable car
👥 Crowds: Smaller crowds during the fall shoulder season
🏰 Pair It With: Sound of Music Trail or Hohenwerfen Fortress
What is Eisriesenwelt?
Eisriesenwelt is located less than 45 minutes south of Salzburg in Werfen, Austria. It holds the title of the largest ice cave in the world. If you’re wondering about the name, it’s German for “World of the Ice Giants.”
I always thought caves were either at ground level or subterranean, but Eisriesenwelt sits high on Hochkogel mountain in the Alps. The entrance to the cave is 1,641 meters above sea level. That’s just over a mile for my Imperial system friends.
So what makes Eisriesenwelt the largest ice cave in the world? While visitors can only explore one kilometer of the cave, the entire cave system stretches for more than 42 kilometers.
How to Get to Eisriesenwelt
Getting to Eisriesenwelt is an adventure. The amount of math I had to do to time everything perfectly made my boyfriend’s head spin, and you’ll soon see why.
Reaching the cave entrance requires a shuttle, two mini hikes and a short cable car ride. And all of that takes nearly as long as the cave tour itself.
I don’t say that to scare you away from visiting, but to set expectations.
Part 1: The Shuttle
Eisriesenwelt offers a shuttle that departs from Werfen Bahnhof (train station) four times a day at 8:26 am, 10:26 am, 12:26 pm and 2:26 pm. Outside of those times, the shuttle departs approximately every 25 minutes from the Gries bus stop, which is about a five-minute walk from the train station.
I found the schedule a little confusing, so I made sure to be at the train station before the scheduled 12:26 pm departure.
The shuttle isn’t free, and you can’t pay for it in advance. That’s probably my biggest complaint about the whole experience, but alas. A round-trip ticket costs €11 or €6 one way. (If you want to walk up, I have questions for you!) The bus driver only accepts cash, so bring your euros.
The shuttle ride takes about 20 minutes and includes some pretty gorgeous views of Werfen and the surrounding mountains.
One more important thing to know: During peak season, return shuttles run approximately every 25 minutes. During the shoulder seasons, they only depart once an hour at 42 minutes past the hour. When I visited in October, I experienced the latter and hustled down that mountain to make sure my cheeks were in a seat by 3:42 pm.
Part 2: The 20-Minute Walk
Once you make it to the visitor center, you’ll head inside to scan your ticket. There are also bathrooms and a small café in case you need to refuel or unload before starting your trek. (Don’t worry, there are bathrooms further up the mountain. And no, it’s not a bush.)
You have the option of taking a “shortcut” through a tunnel or following a more scenic route. I took the tunnel, which was quite chilly and wet inside.
Once you emerge from the tunnel, you’ll continue walking until you reach the cable car.
Part 3: The Cable Car Ride
The cable car ride is the shortest part of the entire journey to Eisriesenwelt. It lasts just three minutes, but you get some amazing views. You’ll need to keep your ticket handy to scan into the cable car area and again when you make your descent.
There’s a small but charming restaurant called Dr. Oedl-Haus right after you get off the cable car. If you go early enough, it looks like a nice place to have lunch after the ice cave tour.
Part 4: The Second 20-Minute Walk
After getting off the cable car, you’ll be in the final stretch to reach Eisriesenwelt. This second walk feels a little more daunting, especially when you see the large opening in the mountain from down below.
There are a couple of switchbacks, and you’ll end up walking into the mountain before making the final uphill climb to the start of the tour. If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably wondering, “Is it really worth it?” And I promise you it is.
By the time you reach the entrance, you’ll be 1,641 meters above sea level. But you still have more climbing to do!
What You’ll See Inside Eisriesenwelt
After finally making it to what feels like the top of Austria, the real adventure begins: the Eisriesenwelt cave tour.
But before I go any further, there’s an important detail I missed during my research. You’ll have to walk up and down 1,400 stairs inside the cave. Some of the stairs are at 45-degree angles.
Because it’s a cave, the terrain is uneven and wet at times. It’s also cold, we’re talking 32°F (0°C), and mostly dark. The only light comes from the lanterns carried by people on your tour and the magnesium strips lit by your guide.
I didn’t find the 70-minute cave tour difficult, but after all the walking I did to get there, it was comical how much more we had to do. So, if you have mobility issues or you’re looking for a more leisurely activity, this probably isn’t it.
Like most cave tours, Eisriesenwelt is all about seeing different formations, like stalagmites. In this case, they’re made of ice.
The main formations you’ll see on the Eisriesenwelt cave tour include:
- Posselt Hall and Posselt Tower
- Hymir’s Castle
- Mörk Cathedral
- Ice Palace
And did I mention that someone is buried inside Eisriesenwelt? Right after Mörk Cathedral, you’ll pass beneath Alexander Mörk von Mörkenstein’s urn. It was his dying wish to be buried here, which is fitting for the man who named the ice cave.
Eisriesenwelt FAQs
Still have questions about Eisriesenwelt? Here are a few more things to know before you visit.
How do you get from Salzburg to Werfen?
Getting from Salzburg to Werfen is easy and fast. Trains from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Werfen take about 40–45 minutes, depending on which one you take. Most trains are direct, so you won’t need to worry about changing trains along the way.
And because Werfen is within the Salzburg region, the train ride is free with the Salzburg Guest Mobility Pass, which you can get from your hotel.
(If you’re staying in Salzburg, the Guest Mobility Pass is free, so make sure to ask your accommodation for it at check-in or even before you arrive.)
How much do Eisriesenwelt tickets cost?
Eisriesenwelt tickets cost €45 at the door or €41 if you buy online in advance.
I recommend buying online to save money and select your check-in window. I bought my tickets the morning of my visit and there was plenty of availability. The website shows how many tickets are still available for each time slot, which can help you choose a less crowded time.
You’ll also need to purchase a separate shuttle ticket for €11 round trip. Shuttle tickets can’t be purchased in advance, and the driver only accepts cash, so plan accordingly.
What should you wear inside Eisriesenwelt?
It should come as no surprise, but an ice cave is cold, 32°F (0°C) to be exact. But after the long trek to reach the entrance, the cold air is actually quite refreshing.
I’m not used to cold weather and will shake like a chihuahua when the temperature drops below 60°F, so I came overprepared for the cave tour. I wore an insulated puffer jacket, jeans and sturdy shoes. (The sturdy shoes are a must!) I also brought gloves and a beanie, but I didn’t end up wearing either.
However, my hands did get cold from gripping the metal handrails while climbing the stairs, so I’d recommend bringing gloves just in case.
How much time do you need to visit Eisriesenwelt?
Eisriesenwelt isn’t a quick stop by any means. It takes at least an hour to reach the cave entrance, and that’s all before the 70-minute cave tour. Then you have to do it all over again to get back down.
If I were planning another visit to Eisriesenwelt, I’d budget no less than four hours, and that doesn’t include the train ride from Salzburg.
Can you take photos inside of the ice cave?
According to the website, you can’t take photos or videos inside Eisriesenwelt. However, because my group was so small, our tour guide said we could, with one condition: we could only take photos or videos when we stopped.
Did people follow that rule? No. Was it annoying to be behind those people? Absolutely. So please don’t be those people.
Final Thoughts on Eisriesenwelt
Getting to Eisriesenwelt is like the Austrian version of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Even though it took three different modes of transportation to get there, visiting the largest ice cave in the world is easily one of the most unique experiences I’ve had in the Salzburg region. If you’re looking for an adventure that’s quite literally off the beaten path, add it to your Salzburg itinerary.
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