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Daily tours through the Ice cave

Date: May. 1 - Nov. 3, 2024
This event has already taken place
Location:  Dachstein-Giant-Ice cave, Obertraun
You can experience guided tours of the Ice cave every day from 01.05.2024 to 03.11.2024. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour. It's cold in the cave. Bring warm clothing! Guided tour only for visitors who are good on foot!

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Short information in advance

The Dachstein Cave Worlds with the "Ice Cave" and the "Mammoth Cave" can be reached via the 1st section of the "Dachstein Krippenstein cable car" in Obertraun. You take the train to the so-called "Schönbergalm". The walk to the cave entrances is about 20 minutes on foot. The path is easy to walk. The tour begins directly at the cave entrance. Please dress warmly. It is cold in the caves. And now more interesting information about the ice cave in Obertraun on Lake Hallstatt.

A wonderful world of ice

The Castle of the Holy Grail, Parsifal Dome and King Arthur’s Dome: all of these fairytale names conceal fascinating scenes of ice and stone which you can enjoy at close range during a visit to the ice cave. Accompanied by experienced cave guides, you can explore the magical underground world of Dachstein. The spectacular ice sculptures, gigantic ice curtains and impressive giant icicles never fail to captivate with their special magic! A mystical cave of ice and rock which enchants even the youngest guests of magical cave.

Guided tour through Dachstein Ice cave

The Dachstein Ice cave lies high above the Trauntal valley and is just a few minutes’ walk away from the Schönbergalm. The ice is formed by water which seeps from the Dachstein plateau down into the cave through small cracks and joins in the cliff. When outside temperatures lie above freezing but the caves still contain very cold air, the penetrating water freezes and forms magnificent ice shapes which define the magic of the giant Ice cave.

Even when the water which seeps into the cave is warm in Summer, leading to a slight melting of this ice, the overall balance is one of growth; the Winter-Spring growth exceeds the Summer-Autumn ice loss and thereby guarantees the survival of this magnificent natural showcase. Visitors can submerse themselves inside this world of natural wonder during 50 minute tours, experiencing the magic of this ice landscape at close hand. Experienced guides lead guests through ice-free passageways and a stalactite hall down to ‘St. Arthur’s Dome’. Here in this hall, dominated by powerful blocks of rock, the bones of cave bears have been found which bear signs of human processing.

Stairs through the narrow keyhole make it easier to access the higher level of the cave with its fantastic ice formations which form the highlight of a visit to the cave. From the ‘ice palace’, the route leads on to the ‘Parsifal Dome’ and to the ‘Big Ice Mountain’ – a ball of ice over 9 m tall. From here, it’s on to the powerful bell of the ‘Castle of the Holy Grail’ which shimmers in colours from white to dark blue, depending on the lighting.

A connecting passageway runs along the 25 m thick ice floor of the adjacent ‘Tristan Dome’ while the descent down to the ‘Big Ice Chapel’ based on the cave ice creates a lasting impression of underground beauty. Then walking past the ice abyss (overcoming this was the greatest obstacle to researching this cave), visitors reach the exit with beautiful views of the Krippenstein and Hallstättersee lake.

Our service

Dear "cave explorers", in "Information at a Glance" below we have listed the current running times of the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car. In addition to the general operating times, you will also find the "first ride" up to the Schönbergalm to the cave worlds and the "last descent". So now it is even easier and more convenient to plan your trip to the Giant Ice.

Further information

When visiting the caves (only permissible with a trained guide), we recommend that you wear robust shoes and warm clothing. Temperatures in the Ice cave rarely exceed freezing point and in the other caves there is only an average temperature of 4 °C.

Silent Echoes -
Another highlight of the ice cave visit
From 04.09.2024 to 11.03.03.2024

This summer, visitors to the ice cave in Obertraun can experience something very special in addition to the numerous "ice sculptures". During the guided tours in the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave, the live sound installation entitled "Silent Echoes - Bill Fontana. Silent Echoes.Dachstein" in the cave world on the Dachstein Krippenstein. A very special experience. Simply unique! Yet Parzival Cathedral is a place that holds an invaluable secret, as it says in Anton Bruckner's composition "Locus iste": a secret that asks us humans how we want to live with nature in the future. You can experience "Silent Echoes" live every day from 4 September 2024 to 3 November 2024 on every guided tour of the magical ice cave world in Obertraun.

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So you don't have to spend the night in the cave - the best accommodations at a click

Hotels and accommodation providers in Hallstatt, Bad Goisern, Gosau and Obertraun offer the ideal room or apartment for your holidays, no matter what your tastes. Aside from establishments rated according to the international "star" scale, you will also find around Lake Hallstatt in Austria businesses that have been awarded two to four "edelweiss". The more flowers, the greater comforts you can expect. Whether you eventually find your cozy nest in an elegant 5-star luxury hotel, at comfortable guesthouse, a family-friendly apartment, or on a traditional farm, the choice is always entirely up to you.

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