Where do you think the world's largest ice caves are located? In Greenland? In a Nordic country like Norway? Well, no: they are actually located 60 km from Salzburg, in the small town of Werfen. They are called "Eisriesenwelt Werfen", which translates into French as "the world of the ice giants". The metaphor is apt, because when you enter the cave, a sort of parallel world awaits you.
For 42 kilometres, a labyrinth of icy galleries with enchanting names stretches as far as the eye can see. Don't worry, you're only covering part of it. You'll pass through the Diamantenreich (Diamond Kingdom), the Midgard (Middle Land) and the Dämonenlabyrinth (Demon Labyrinth). An experienced guide will accompany you throughout your visit, teaching you all about this kingdom worthy of "the Snow Queen".
A visit to the Werfen ice caves, which are open daily from May to October, is not to be missed. During the Tertiary era - 65 million years ago - this immense ice cave began to form in the very heart of the mountain overlooking the small village of Werfen.
The presence of the Salzach river is no stranger to the phenomenon: over all this time, erosion has helped the ice to flow, forming immense galleries today.
Apart from the purely geological interest of the site, the visit is sure to delight tourists looking for an out-of-the-ordinary experience. The gargantuan ice formations, illuminated by the lights of the lamps, will have you exclaiming in amazement.
You enter this palace of ice through a huge entrance, 20 m wide and 18 m high. For 75 minutes, spectators follow a guide who provides a wealth of historical and scientific information.
Winding corridors, known as the "Diamond Kingdom", take you deeper and deeper into the mountain. As well as the immense ice formations, the highlight of the show is the frozen lake.
A little further along the route, the guide asks all visitors to switch off their miner's lamps (which are on loan at the entrance). For 60 seconds, you are plunged into silence and darkness. It's an incredible immersive experience that gives you the impression of plunging into nothingness!
Please note, however, that photos and videos are not permitted during the visit. So there's no need to bring any equipment to capture your memories.
Tickets can be purchased at the visitor centre from 8.00 am. You can also pre-book for a time slot without queuing. The full price is €28 for the cable car + tour.
Be warned: to have the chance to admire Werfen, you need to be in good physical condition, as you'll be climbing no fewer than 700 steps.
The guide compares it to climbing a skyscraper, and that's not entirely untrue. What's more, you'll need the right clothing to visit the cave: even in summer, you'll be faced with temperatures approaching 0 degrees. You'll also need good footwear, as the damp can make the ground slippery.
There are two ways to reach the cave, located around 40km from Salzburg by car: by hiking or by cable car. The first option is reserved for seasoned sportsmen and women used to walking at altitude, while the second is more accessible and allows families to make the ascent in comfort.
To take the cable car, you need to go to the town of Werfen, either by car (50-minute journey) or by train. From the village railway station, or from the Gries car park (5 mins from the station), you can catch a bus to the visitor centre. There you can buy your ticket for the caves, as well as for the cable car if you wish to take it.
Cable car leading to the Eisriesenwelt cave in Werfen.
- © ALEXEY IZOTOV / ShutterstockA final 20-30 minute walk awaits you before you reach the famous cable car. The slope is quite steep, and if you want to save your strength, you can take a shortcut through a tunnel. Once up the slope, you can choose to continue walking for 90 minutes on the footpath, or take the cable car.
Open from 8.45am, the cable car makes return trips every 30 minutes. Last but not least, the cable car ride up to the top is a spectacular sight: it takes just 5 minutes to climb 1,641 metres. This short ride offers incredible panoramic views of the Hohen Tauern mountains and the Salzach valley.
At first sight, finding a restaurant in the middle of the mountains, in a natural setting, might seem like a challenge... Luckily, we've got a good plan for you. Located 0.5 km from the cave, the Dr Oedl-Schutzhaus restaurant is characterised by its warm atmosphere, affordable prices and tasty traditional dishes. You can enjoy excellent goulash, schnitzel and delicious local beers.
"It's a good place to linger after a visit to the world's largest ice cave, with a unique view of the Hochkönig. The food is very good, and the atmosphere is friendly: the waiters gave us invaluable advice on choosing our beer".
If you haven't had enough of your adventures, or if you've arrived at the cave early in the morning, we recommend continuing your day with a visit to the medieval castle of Hohenwerfen, which is one of the best preserved in Europe.
Standing on a rocky outcrop, Hohenwerfen Castle is a defensive fortress.
- © trabantos / ShutterstockIt is a defensive fortress. Archbishop Gebhard, an ally of Pope Gregory VII, acquired the castle to protect the Archbishopric of Salzburg from the forces of the Holy German Empire, represented by the figure of King Henry IV.
As well as a fascinating tour of the castle, there's a wide range of events on offer. Depending on the time of year, you can enjoy theatre performances, Christmas markets, medieval events or even falconry.
Salzburg
