Eisriesenwelt, Austrian Alps, Austria

5David S 5:00 PM Jun 1, 2022

A magical natural phenomena
Of all the experiences we enjoyed on a recent holiday to Slovenia and Austria, our visit to the Eisriesenwelt was for me the most wondrous and will stick in my mind for the rest of my life. I've visited quite a few limestone caves down the years: with its astonishing ice rivers and frozen sculptures this was by far the best. Of course at EUR 35 per adult it's not cheap, but in my view well worth the expense. From what I've read it seems there is a widespread perception that this is a wet weather attraction. Had the cable car directly connected the visitor car-park to the cave entrance the assertion would have some validity but on either side of the cable ride is a 20 minute walk, much of which is along an uncovered mountain track. With the multitude of steps inside the caves, a reasonable level of fitness is a necessity. The caves aren't lit and visitors share naked flame lamps to help illuminate the wooden steps and walkways that take you across the ice. The guide lights flares to illuminate the best features and gives some reasonable explanations as you go round (in the larger groups it can be a little difficult to hear). And take heed: you will be in temperatures just below or above freezing point (depending on the season) for around 70 minutes so, notwithstanding the exertion of climbing so many steps, warm clothing is essential. When we visited in May the temperature was still below zero and ice crystals sparkled in the rock like quartz. It was just magical.

4tariq-ma t 5:00 PM Sep 28, 2021

Very exhausting but many thinks it worth
The cave is located in the city of werfen.. You can reach it from the city of Zell am See by train and get off the city of werfen and from there ride the cave shuttle bus in front of the train station or from its main station inside werfen for 7.5 euros to go and return to and from the starting point of the cave road at the ticket Office (kiosk) .. It is 5 km from the train station.. After getting off the bus, the cable car fee is paid .. From there you walk a distance of 20 minutes on a high road to reach the cable car, whose path takes only 3 minutes.. After getting off the cable car, you walk a distance of 20 Another minute on a high, annoying road to reach the entrance to the cave.. Tours are always accompanied by a guide.. And there is a new tour every 30 minutes.. A cold air current meets you as soon as you enter through the cave door due to the different temperatures between inside and outside, but then the temperatures inside the cave itself It is better.. Some people give a lantern with a flame to light the way inside the cave.. I advise not to receive a lantern and rely on lanterns with others because holding the lantern by hand makes your arms feel cold and prevents you from photographing.. Entering the cave requires you to wear heavy clothes, gloves and a head cover.. The road inside the Cave takes you up for one kilometre to the top .. it is very difficult and exhausting for children, the elderly, people of weak fitness or heart patients.. even it is exhausting for fit persons. There is a restaurant at the ticket kiosk and at the cable car station .. The views inside the cave are surprising to those who have not seen it before and it worth the adventure, but expect that you will get tired physically and your breath will quicken. .. The price of going up by cable car and entering the cave is more than 30 euros in 2021 and they accept the credit card, but the shuttle bus only takes cash