Eisriesenwelt

Eisriesenwelt is an ice cave complex in the Tennengebirge near Werfen in Salzburg state and is commonly described as the world’s largest ice cave system.

The site’s visitor route passes a sequence of frozen chambers and dramatic ice formations reached by an uphill walk from the funicular/cable-car drop-off and a series of steps and platforms inside the cave. Temperatures inside the accessible chambers are below freezing year-round, so warm clothing is required during visits.

The cave system extends deep into the mountain with many kilometres of passages; guided tours cover the show cave sections and provide access to the principal ice chambers discovered in the late 19th century.

Eisriesenwelt sits on the slopes above the village of Werfen, in the Tennengebirge range of the Northern Limestone Alps, and is reached from Werfen by a short cable-car ride and walk.

• Scale: Recognised as the world's largest ice cave system, the cave passages extend roughly 42 kilometres into the Tennengebirge massif though only a limited portion is accessible on standard tours.

What to See #

• Ice Grotto: The principal Ice Grotto is the section with large frozen formations and ice sculptures that most guided tours reach; it is accessed on a marked visitor path with steps and platforms.
• Entrance and access: A cable car and a short uphill walk from the village of Werfen provide the standard visitor approach to the cave entrance and visitor centre facilities at the mouth of the system.