Eisriesenwelt in Austria - the largest ice cave in the world

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Eisriesenwelt in Werfen is the world's largest ice cave and one of the most spectacular natural experiences we've had in Austria. But it's not just the cave itself that impresses. To get there, winding mountain roads, hiking, a cable car and fantastic views of the Alps await. Once inside the mountain, you'll be greeted by enormous halls, mighty ice formations and a cold that feels far removed from the summer heat outside.

To Eisriesenwelt in Austria – the adventure begins on the way

After we got a tip about the Eisriesenwelt ice cave, we couldn't quite put the idea down. How exciting did it sound? The cave is located near Werfen, about a 40-minute drive south of Salzburg, and we decided to pay a visit with our camper van.

We parked at the visitor center and continued with the shuttle bus up the winding mountain roads. Then the first walk awaited, about 20 minutes uphill to the lower station of the cable car. Already here we began to understand that this would be much more than an ordinary cave visit. The view of the mountains was absolutely fantastic!

Cable car to Eisriesenwelt – again!

If you read our previous post about cable car up to Untersberg You know I (Helena) am not too fond of cable cars. Or rather: I am terrified! But shame on the one who gives up, because now it was time again.

Luckily, the cable car ride itself only took a few minutes. This time it also felt a little nicer than the last one. Or was I already getting used to hanging high above the ground? Anyway, we got up, and the view made it all worth it.

Continuing the hike to the ice cave

There is a restaurant and toilets at the upper station of the cable car, but we continued straight towards the cave. Here, another 20 minutes of walk up the mountain awaits, with views that almost feel surreal.

It's easy to get so caught up in the scenery that you forget about your destination. The mountain peaks, valleys, and winding path made the journey an experience in itself. But the closer we got to the mouth of the cave, the more curious we became about what awaited us inside.

The world's largest ice cave – 42 kilometers under the mountain

Eisriesenwelt is a cave system approximately 42 kilometers long and is considered the largest ice cave in the world. It is mainly the first kilometer that is covered in ice, and this is also the part that visitors get to experience during the guided tour.

Inside the cave, a completely different landscape awaits than the one we just left. There are enormous halls, frozen waterfalls, ice pillars and formations created when water penetrated the rock and froze to ice. In some places, the ice is about 25 meters thick, and the size of the halls is almost hard to imagine.

The guided tour takes about 70 minutes and includes a total of about 1,400 steps – 700 up and the same number down. So it’s no small walk, but the reward is a nature experience that is truly unlike anything else.

When we visited Eisriesenwelt, it was forbidden to take photos inside the cave. Therefore, we had to use official press photos from Eisriesenwelt to show what it looks like. The photo ban still applies, so expect to put your camera away during the tour. However, there are plenty of fantastic photo opportunities along the way up.

Some of the halls are so large that a jumbo jet could fit inside, and the cave is covered in ice everywhere, in the form of ice lakes, ice formations and huge ice pillars. In many places the ice is 25 meters (!) thick. Taking pictures inside the cave was strictly forbidden, so we are instead showing official pictures from Eisrisenwelt. website.

How was Eisriesenwelt discovered?

The cave became famous in 1879 when naturalist Anton von Posselt-Czorich from Salzburg explored part of it. Although he published his findings, it was not long before more people began to take an interest in the large cave system.

In 1913, cave explorer Alexander von Mörk continued his explorations, and a few years later, Eisriesenwelt began to develop into a tourist attraction. The first tourists arrived around 1920, but back then there was neither the cable car nor all the stairs and walkways that we have today. Getting up to the cave was considerably more demanding than it is today.

How hard is it to visit Eisriesenwelt?

Eisriesenwelt is a fantastic experience, but it is not for everyone. Even before you reach the cave, there are two walks of about 20 minutes each, both uphill. Inside the cave, the effort continues with 700 steps up and the same number down.

You therefore need to be able to walk up hills and stairs for a long time. For small children, the visit can be tiring, and the low temperature means that you need to think extra about your clothing. Anyone who has difficulty walking or problems with knees and joints should consider whether the tour is suitable.

What should you wear in the ice cave?

Even though it's warm and sunny down in Werfen, the temperature inside Eisriesenwelt is around zero degrees. At the same time, you can get quite warm during the hike up to the cave. Therefore, it's wise to dress in several layers that you can take off and put on.

We recommend comfortable hiking shoes with good grip, long pants, a warm sweater and a jacket. A hat and gloves are also good to have, not least because railings and other metal surfaces can be really cold. A functional garment closest to the body is better than a cotton sweater that easily gets damp during the hike.

It is a good idea to bring water and something to eat, especially if you are traveling with children. There is an option to buy food and drinks at the upper station of the cable car, but it can be nice to have something of your own in your backpack.

Tickets and opening hours for Eisriesenwelt

Eisriesenwelt is open during the summer months, usually from early May to late October or early November. In the 2026 season, the cave will be open from May 1 to November 1.

An adult ticket that includes both the cable car and the guided cave tour costs 41 euros when booked online and 45 euros on site in 2026. It is wise to book in advance, especially during the summer when many people want to visit the cave.

We also recommend arriving early in the day. This will reduce the crowds on the way up and during the tour. Always check the current prices, opening hours and ticket conditions on the Eisriesenwelt official website before you go.

Getting to Eisriesenwelt by car or camper

Eisriesenwelt is located at Werfen, about 40 kilometers south of Salzburg. By car, you drive along a paved mountain road about five kilometers long from Werfen up to the visitor center. The road is steep and winding, but the views of the mountains are fantastic.

We traveled here by camper and chose to continue by shuttle bus up the mountain. It is an option we would gladly recommend to other camper travelers, as the road to the visitor center is steep and parking can be difficult for larger vehicles.

From the visitor center, it's about a 20-minute walk to the cable car, a short cable car ride, and then another 20-minute hike to the cave entrance. Allow at least three hours for the entire visit, preferably a little more if you want to take photos, eat, or just enjoy the views along the way.

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