Inside the World's Longest Ice Cave | Eisriesenwelt Austria

Eisriesenwelt (German for "World of the Ice Giants") is a natural limestone and ice cave located in Werfen, Austria, approximately 40 kilometers south of Salzburg. It is recognized as the largest ice cave in the world, extending over a total length of about 42 kilometers (26 miles), although only the first kilometer is covered in perennial ice and open to the public.

The cave lies within the Tennengebirge section of the Alps, inside the Hochkogel mountain, at an elevation of roughly 1,640 meters (5,380 ft) above sea level. It forms part of an extensive karst system created by water erosion and ice formation over millions of years. The entrance to the cave overlooks the Salzach Valley and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

The Eisriesenwelt was first discovered in 1879 by Anton von Posselt-Czorich, a natural scientist from Salzburg, who explored the first 200 meters of the cave and published his findings the following year. Local residents had long believed the cave to be an entrance to the underworld and generally avoided it. Systematic exploration began in the early 20th century, notably under Alexander von Mörk, who led the Salzburg Cave Association’s expeditions and greatly expanded knowledge of the system.
The cave was opened to the public in 1920, and infrastructure such as pathways, lighting, and later a cable car (opened in 1955) were added to facilitate access.

Eisriesenwelt was formed by the erosive action of the Salzach River on the region’s limestone during the late Tertiary period. Over time, cold air currents entering the cave caused the accumulation of ice as infiltrating water froze during winter months. The interaction between rock, water, and air has produced dramatic ice stalagmites, stalactites, and frozen cascades, some of which reach several meters in height.

The cave is one of Austria’s most popular natural attractions, drawing over 200,000 visitors annually. Visitors typically travel from the town of Werfen to the Eisriesenwelt Visitor Center, then hike to the cable car station. The cable car covers much of the steep ascent, after which a further 20–30 minute walk leads to the cave entrance. Guided tours of the ice section last about 70–75 minutes and involve climbing more than 1,400 steps inside the cave.
Due to the natural cold air circulation, temperatures inside remain below 0°C (32°F) throughout the year. Lighting is minimal to preserve the natural ice, with traditional carbide lamps and magnesium lighting used during tours.

Eisriesenwelt is a protected natural monument under Austrian law. Efforts are made to preserve its delicate ice formations and ecological balance by restricting artificial lighting, managing visitor flow, and monitoring temperature and humidity levels. Scientific research continues to study the cave’s microclimate and ice dynamics.

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