eisriesenwelt ice cave

The Trip:Been here twice in two months. Hiked from the village of Werfen to the entrance of the Ice Caves. Wonderful views that remind you of "The Sound of Music", since it is where part of the movie was actually shot. The atmosphere outside is great even without going inside the cave.The Cave:It changes every year, so each experience is different. You get very old school oil lamps which adds to the ambiance. Make sure you get to the front of the line. Many lazy/slow people at the back, and middle ruin the trip for you. If you're genuinely interested in the stories being shared about this cave, stick to the front of the line, even if it means waiting for the next tour to start. You'll be glad you did. The large, open areas of the ice cave are breathtakingly beautiful. They claim it has over 700 steps, so you're in for a mini-workout and make sure to bundle up. It's cold in there.The Accommodations:There's a restaurant 10 min away from the entrance of the cave. Its a great place to catch your breath, and get a snack or beer.

If you're going to Salzburg allow one more day to visit Eisriesenwelt. It's a 40 minute drive from Salzburg in a beautiful road up until you get at the park entrance. From there you have to hike a little bit (about 30 minutes) up to the cable car. The views are wonderful from the trail and from the cable. Then you have to hike up (another 30 minutes) to the cave entrance which is really astonishing.Very well organized as everything in Germany. You can take the tour in either English or German. My guide was very nice. The cave is huge with beautiful ice formations, some of them are huge. You walk for about 1 kilometer inside the cave. The strong air flow getting in and out of the cave are really nice.No photos or video are allowed which is a very good thing in this case. Before getting the cable car down, take your time at the cafeteria. Probably one of the most beautiful views to enjoy a nice Austrian beer!

It is beautiful but: come early or else you will stand in line for hours. Early means driving and parking up. If they send for the bus come the next day. You have quite a climb and cable ride and foot climb again but take warm clothes. On the down have some soup before the cable down

My husband and I did multiple things while in Munich and Salzburg in October but this was my absolute favorite! Wear proper clothes and shoes like they tell you and be prepared to hike and have your mind blown away! You feel like you step straight into the Ork (spelling?) cave in the Hobbit with high cave ceilings, small bridge crossings and your little flame lit lantern! Amazing and I would have no problem volunteering to do anything to just be able to climb around in there whenever. We booked through viator but the tour left downtown salzburg and was so easy to find!

One of the best attractions I visited during my trip to Austria and Prague. I had never been to an ice cave before. It was very different from my expectations. This one involved a lot of walking under very cold weather. The inside tour of the caves was very nice - while the tour guide shared interesting facts for the cave, walking in the dark with lanterns in our hands felt like an adventure in itself. I would recommend this to all.PS: It involves significant effort. All those who are not fit enough to take it, should probably skip this one

Agreed they are the highest ice caves in the world and really a unique experience especially when the travel guide uses lights behind the ice and they light up, but from a caving perspective, they are quite ordinary. The cable car leading to the caves offers breathtaking views. However, the trek leading up to the caves from the cable car point is quite dangerous with ice and slippery roads and very taxing, especially if you are carrying bags or rucksacks. Also, I don't understand why they don't allow photography.

A good drive out of the main city. One needs to do a fair amount of trekking, it is a good idea to have trekking poles and many do so. We took a little longer than 20 mins to trek up on both parts before and after the cable car ride. The cave itself is fabulous, what a view! Well worth all the trek! Put your gloves on inside the cave.

This was seriously awesome. They give you these little open flame lanterns and you make your deep into the cave. The ice looks amazing. It is a surreal experience. They also told us the story about how the caves were discovered and first explored and it was really powerful. There is a hike to get up there after the cable car (which I would recommend if you are short on time or don't want a really long hike). But the hike from the cable car to the top isn't bad and more importantly it is jaw droppingly gorgeous. One of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. I would highly recommend this if you are staying in Salzburg or around the area and are looking for something unique.

Firstly, the drive up the mountain is one of my favorite ever journeys! Then the trekking here can be tiring for many! whilst the other option of the cable car, which provides fantastic views, is absolutely terrifying for those of us who don't like heights. Although it is over quite quickly! Once there, the walk around the caves themselves is not too difficult. I found the entire place overwhelming and amazing. The fact you can't take any pictures etc is a little bit of a rip off, but it can be forgiven as prices aren't too expensive. I'd recommend it to anyone!

We took this trip on with some trepidation after reading previous articles but, in the end, it was nothing to be afraid of.We took the advice of going early and got there for 9am. Hardly any cars around so were were very optimistic. Climbed up to the cable car in a comfortable 15mins; made to wait until the quarterhour at the cable car (so you appreciate where logjam occurs); then another 15/20mins up to the cave - this section quite a bit steeper.We took hiking boots but, in perfect weather, not really needed but with temperature inside at freezing do wrap-up and take a hat for drips. We were caught up by a coach trip at the top and we all went through together as Trip 2 at around 10am; probably about 40 of us and three different languages, so we took our time and the 700 steps didn't seem too bad. Very interesting and unique really.....pretty amazing and well worth it.Contrary to what others have said we thought the kerosene lamps were fine and added a nice authentic ambience. You can take your own fladhlight/headlight which we did, but not really necessary.We sprinted back to to the cable car and made sure we weren't held up (they only take c10 at a time).When we were coming out another four groups were inside and more coachloads were arriving.....so do go early if you can

If you are between the ages of 20 and 40 and exercise occasionally, the ice caves will be absolutely no problem for you regardless of what others say on here. It is a 40 minute walk up paved walkways with a 3-10 minute break in between (to ride a very picturesque cable car ride). The hike up to the cave entrance is very pretty and you will probably stop a few times to take picture. Once inside the ice caves, you will walk along wooden walkways and climb up and down 700 steps of stairs. Keep in mind that the tour is roughly an hour so there are plenty of time to rest in between, but realistically you probably won't need to. They'll give you someone near you a lantern to hold for lighting, I would just make sure someone else holds it, since you don't really need to. Bring gloves and dress warmly. Gloves are important. There are no photos allowed in the caves and don't try to take one. Someone in my group tried to and he got called out in front of everyone for it. It is a worthy side visit to see something unique.

Must visit with so much to learn. 45 kms cave (very less accessible)with beautiful ice formations. Steep climbing. 40 Mins. Walk to reach cave then 1400 steps inside cave and 40 mins. Walk to return. Easily 3 hours plan. But when inside cave you forget all the walking after seeing the magnitude of the cave. Very very well preserved. My only issue was, to enter the cave, a group of 30-35 people is formed and taken inside with a guide. We had to wait more than a hour for English guide and the German guide were taking groups every 5 mins. This irritated all English speaking people waiting for there turn. Maximum tourist prefer English as a global language and tourist must not be kept waiting this way. Besides this issue this is a must visit.

I really enjoyed this trip with Panorama Tours. Very prompt pick up and our driver Hubert was lovely and very knowledgeable. The drive there was v pretty. On arrival there is a very steep climb to the cable car. Definately need to have a good fitness level. The cable car journey is great and v picturesque. There is another steep walk to the cave entrance and a bit of a wait in queues to be taken into the caves. The caves are amazing and very pretty. Its cold in there so wrap up and wear sensible walking/climbing shoes. In all honesty, the caves were great but I loved the scenery outside....just stunning. Really spectacular trip and highly recommended. X

We enjoyed it,though the kids felt little tiring of the20 mints walk after the cable car & thee steps inside the cave.There was about 700 steps up & down. The Guide was very nice,It is dark inside.Every fifth member of the group is given a latern to get the steps

1 must do if u have atleast 2 days in salzburg. Its got a decent walk but do not frgt to carry a monkey cap for the cold inside the caves