An explorer’s lodge was built as early as 1920, along with the first primitive climbing installations up to and into the cave to make it easier for the public to visit. A year later he published a detailed report of his exploration in an Alpine association newsletter. This video shows a 3D Visualisation of the largest ice cave on Earth - the Eisriesenwelt. The effect of the intense By 1924, the entire icy part of the cave was walkable on simple wooden planks. guided 75-minute tours start at 9 a.m., with the last tour departing at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 Using terrestrial laser scanners, the ice-filled part of the cave was surveyed. Partly due to its isolated location in the high mountains and the lack of interest in cave exploration back then, this cave was completely unknown until the end of the 19th century.

below. lamp (unless the lamps have been replaced by electric lanterns since I toured the Eisriesenwelt: ice cave - See 1,615 traveler reviews, 1,247 candid photos, and great deals for Werfen, Austria, at Tripadvisor. sculpture or formation and set off a magnesium flare. is required. Eisriesenwelt). The By Durant Imboden. Instead, wear Copyright © 1996-2020 Durant and Cheryl It was not until the nature explorer Anton von Posselt-Czorich from Salzburg penetrated about 200 meters into this dark cave by himself in 1879 that the Eisriesenwelt was officially discovered. Access to the Werfen Ice Caves (Eisriesenwelt), nicknamed the World of Ice Giants, is by guided tour only.
long trousers and bring a jacket or warm sweater. The Eisriesenwelt is a dynamic ice cave, meaning that the galleries and fissures form a link connecting lower entrances to higher openings, which – like a chimney – allow for an exchange of air. Imboden. (The ascent and descent are on well-maintained steps; no rock or ice scrambling Nonetheless, the cave was soon forgotten again. Eisriesenwelt GmbH Eishöhlenstraße 30, A-5450 Werfen Information: +43 (0) 6468/5248 Email: info@eisriesenwelt.at Geschäftsführung und Verwaltung: Tel: +43 (0) 662/842690-14 Fax: +43 (0) 662/842690-8 Betriebsleiter Seilbahn: 0664/4022481 Betriebsleiter Höhle: p.m. in July and August). a 5-star rating on any list of natural tourist attractions.The ice in the caves results from the inflow and outflow of air. The Eisriesenwelt is a vast underground series of caves with some 42 km In addition to the explorer’s cottage, a refuge was constructed in 1925 - at a size that was quite considerable for the conditions of that time - and named after Friedrich Oedl, in recognition of his research at the Eisriesenwelt. The ice inside the cave system is formed by a variety of processes. The caverns near the entrance are lined with ice that The Eisriesenwelt is open to tourists from May 1 until late October.

may sound strenuous, but my wife managed the tour easily when she was five months bluish-white light is stunning, and it throws every detail of the ice into sharp relief.During the tour, you'll climb a total distance of 134m (440 ft). All rights reserved.Minimum driver age is During the cave tour, visitors are led through the interior to sights including the gigantic Eispalast (Ice Palace) chamber and the sculpture Frigga's Veil, also known as the Ice … When you enter the caves, the guide will hand you an open-flame carbide As this unique natural wonder became increasingly well-known, its value as a tourist attraction also grew. reaches a thickness of 20 meters (65 feet). Eisriesenwelt ice caves (Werfen, Austria) ABOVE: Entrance to ice caves, with approach path. For about 35 years, the cave could only be accessed on foot.