Eisriesenwelt Werfen

Excursion to the largest ice cave in the world

When the mountain suddenly reveals a secret

Why the Eisriesenwelt Werfen is really worthwhile

There are excursions that stay with you for a long time. For many, the Eisriesenwelt Werfen is one of them. Just the thought that there is a huge world of ice hidden in the mountain arouses curiosity. And when you stand inside, in the cold, in this silent, glittering landscape, everything feels a little unreal. In a good way.

What awaits you in the cave

Huge icicles, smoothly polished shapes and this blue-green glow that looks very different depending on the light. Then there’s the air. Cold, clear, a bit like stone, a bit like a mountain. You immediately notice that nothing here has been “made”. This is nature, which has simply been doing its own thing for a long time.

Eisriesenwelt Werfen - Rosentalerhof Hotel und Appartements

How the visit works: cable car, mountain trail, guided tour

The way to the cave is already part of the experience. You take the cable car up and then walk a little further. The mountain path is beautiful, but you can feel it, especially when it’s warm and you’re suddenly heading towards the ice at the top.

A guided tour then takes you into the cave. Inside, the tour takes about 75 minutes. It is well secured, but there are a lot of steps, so it’s better to go at a steady pace and give the children a quick look to make sure everyone is still in good shape.

During the visit to the cave, a total of 134 meters in altitude have to be overcome. This is roughly equivalent to walking up the stairs of a 40-storey tower block. Here, too, it is up to each visitor to decide whether they are up to the effort involved.

However, the beauty of the ice figures and the impressive dimensions of the cave undoubtedly make up for any effort! The pace of the tour is adapted to the respective group of visitors. However, people with severe walking difficulties or cardiovascular problems are not advised to visit the cave.

It is up to the parents to decide whether or not they trust their children to walk through the cold cave. Experience has shown that small children up to the age of 3-4 are often overwhelmed.

How much time you should plan for

Don’t plan your excursion too tightly. The journey to Werfen alone is a long one, and once you’re there, there’s the cable car, the walk, any waiting time and the guided tour. As a rough guide, it’s a good idea to plan around three hours for your visit, plus arrival and departure.

Dress warmly: this is important

That sounds banal, but it is crucial. In the ice giant world, it’s around 0 degrees all year round. Even in summer. A warm jacket, possibly a hat and gloves, make all the difference. And sturdy shoes, because the steps and floor require sure-footedness.

With children into the world of the ice giants

A visit with children is possible if they enjoy walking and can manage steps. The tour is exciting, but the cold comes quicker than you think. I would always pack an extra layer and stop for a moment if someone gets cold hands. The cave is not suitable for baby carriages as there are too many steps – exactly 134. Parents must decide for themselves whether the walk through the Cold Cave is feasible for their own children. For small children up to the age of three or four, the visit can be very strenuous under certain circumstances.

Warming up at the Rosentalerhof

Back at the Rosentalerhof, warmth feels particularly good. First warm up in the sauna and brine steam bath in the Berg.Spa, shake the cold out of your fingers and slowly soften up again. And while you relax, the children can play a round on Montelino’s Erlebnisalm and end the day with the next little adventure.

Eisriesenwelt Werfen