As always, when we travel we get up early. We were sleeping in a typical wooden house in Gosau Valley, Austria, close to Hallstatt, which is considered the most beautiful town in the world. We don’t know if it is true… we have seen so many beautiful towns… but for sure it is in the top10. From Gosau we took the car and drove towards the largest ice cave in the world. This is one of many must-see places in Salzburgerland, a land full of surprises!
In order to reach the cave entrance it is needed to take a cable car from the visitor centre and then walk for some minutes through a forest, a dark tunnel and then rocky cliffs. Just this was a completely adventure and the views were astonishing. But nothing compared to what we were going to discover inside that rock mass.
Once in the entrance they give you gas lanterns, the same they used 100 years ago. Anton von Posselt-Czorich from Salzburg penetrated about 200 meters into this dark cave by himself in 1879, this is when this cave was discovered. Later he published a report about his discovery but the cave was forgotten for many years till Alexander von Mörk continued with the exploration in 1913.
The Eisriesenwelt is a cave labyrinth with a total length of more than 40 kilometers. However, it is only possible to visit 1km. But it is enough to contemplate the magnificent ice formations. Inside the cave we climbed hundreds of meters through rock and ice, turned left and right many times, passed through ice tunnels and rock holes… all with our gas lanterns, sometimes too dark, sometimes with some lights pointing to the biggest ice formations.
The cave started with chemical dissolution that formed fissures and cracks in the limestones. Over millions of years it grew with the mountains and finally water and air currents helped to build this natural wonder. Actually, due to the verticality of the cave, the difference of temperature between the lowest and the highest part creates heavy air currents that are also responsible of maintaining the ice in the lower part of the cave.
It is important to know that it is forbidden to take photos or videos inside the cave, this is why the photos here are taken from the official website. As you see, if you ever travel to Austria or maybe Baviera in the south of Germany, this cave is a must in your travel. You cannot be in another place like this. And after your visit you can have a typical lunch from the Alps just before taking the cable car again to descent the mountain.
Wow!! I had no idea this place existed. Amazing. I’ve always wanted to explore an ice cave. Great post 👍🏻
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We neither knew it before planning the trip some weeks before our departure. Without any doubt it was one of the best places we visited in Austria. I think now you have another point in your bucket list 😃. Thanks for your comment!
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Wow I never even heard of this. It looks amazing! I would love to see it for myself. So how cold is it inside there? Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
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It was really cold. Outside was summer, but inside the temperature was negative. We wore coat and winter clothes inside. Really funny! 😄 Thanks for your comment!
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I go close to Salzburg for snowboarding every single winter for the past 4-5 years, I even went to Hallstrat, but I’ve never heard about this cave. I will go in February when we are back! Thanks for sharing #TheWeeklyPostcard
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Hi Gabriela, I think they only open from May to October 😔. You will need to go then. The entrance of the cave is higher than 1600m and it is full of snow the rest of the year, this may be the reason. I hope you will find the time for it! 😊
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Grr we still haven’t made it here!! How did you get pictures? I heard pictures aren’t allowed inside!? Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!!
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We explain that pictures are not allowed 🙂 This is why we explain that we are using the photos from the offical website. Everything is in the post. 😉
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Ah missed that! haha silly me!
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we were there last month! we drove from The Netherlands to Slovenia and made some stops along the way
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Wow! That is a long drive. Nice roadtrip with impressive stops, I’m sure! Ours was from Viena to Munich and visited all Austria and some parts of Baviera 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
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Absolutely beautiful! Just another reason to keep traveling. Can you even imagine those early explorers? Amazing!
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Se can imagine and envy them being the first to see that. Fantastic! Thanks for your comment 🙂
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Absolutely amazing.
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This cave looks out of this world – I feel like they could have filmed scenes from any number of fantasy movies here. Incredible! Kicking myself for not hearing about this when I visited Austria 8 years ago 😦
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There are so many interesting places there that it is easy to not hear about everything. We are sure we also missed many places. There is only one solution: come back. 😊 Thanks for your comment!
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Unbelievably beautiful cave! Wow! I’d love to see that. How did you take those beautiful photos in so low light? Did you use a tripod? It looks like it, anyway. Thank you for sharing this on #TheWeeklyPostcard
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Hi! We explain in the post that it is not allowed to take photos inside. Because of this it is only possible to take official photos from the official website. Everything is explained in the post 😊
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Wow, I would love the see the Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave. So amazing. Interesting how no photos are allowed. I pinned this for later use. Thanks for sharing 🙂 #TheWeeklyPostcard
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It is a pitty we couldn’t take photos and videos… But, anyway, it was unforgettable! Thanks for your comment 🙂
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That’s amazing! I like that it’s a bit of an adventure just to get to the cave, and then they give you gas lanterns! Gives you at least a little feeling for those original explorers. How fun! We had never heard of this cave, so we’re definitely making a note for later. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard!
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Yes! You feel like an old explorer inside. It was a fantastic experience 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
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Looks absolutely amazing. I have never been to an ice cave before.
Lorelle 🙂
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Yes, it was! The world is full of incredible places 😀
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