Dachstein Giant Ice Cave

Cave bears, rope bridge, light & sound show: The completely reconstructed Dachstein Giant Ice Cave offers you the chance to embark on a breathtaking adventure through rock and ice. Are your ready?

Your eyes gradually get used to the shadows of the rocks, cracks and crevices. The origins of this jewel of nature are revealed by stalactites in every colour. Suddenly the passageways and halls are filled with the sound of roaring: the cave bears 'Ben + Boris' have awoken!

Then the ice with its fascinating, glistening shapes and figures, is immersed in light and music. And the abyss with its gleaming 30 m depth rope bridge – you'll need nerves of steel here.

Naturpark Schönbergalm

You can enjoy the time until your guided tour in the cave starts at the idyllic Schönbergalm and visit the exhibition 'climate change at the Dachstein', kids adventure cave, discover geology experiences trail. 

An exciting tour ...

... awaits you in the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave

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 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 the famous lake Hallstättersee.

Guided cave tour

Dachstein Giant Ice Cave

  • Starting point: middle station Schönbergalm (section 1)

  • Walking time to the Cave: approx. 15 to 20 minutes

  • Duration of the guided cave tour: 50 minutes
    Temperature: -2 °C (26,6 °F)

Can children visit the cave?
Thanks to the fantastic infrastructure, the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave is also perfect for visits with kids of any age. 

Registration for the guided tour: 
Please register for the guided tour in the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave on site at the cave ticket counter in the middle station Schönbergalm, there you get the number and time for your cave tour. Guided tours take place on an ongoing basis. 

Registration at cave ticket counter is required for individuals and all groups! To set a fix time of a guided cave tour is only possible, when booking a "special guided tour" at a 'single guide surcharge'.

Silent Echoes

Silent Echoes: Dachstein - Salzkammergut 2024

Silent Echoes: Dachstein - Salzkammergut 2024 is a fascinating art project that connects the sound between the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and the ice caves on the Dachstein.

US artist Bill Fontana has created a sound sculpture that draws attention to the consequences of climate change. Here are some details:

  • •

    Sound bridge: The bells of Notre-Dame are made audible by vibration sensors.

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    These sounds are transmitted into the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave and combined with the sounds of the melting glacier.

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    An impressive artistic statement on the fragility of culture and the effects of climate change.

Where: Parsifaldom Dachstein Giant Ice Cave
Opening: Opening on 3 September 2024 at 6 pm! Registration required: www.salzkammergut-2024.at

In the period from 4 September 2024 to 3 November 2024, the art project "Silent Echoes" can be heard as part of a guided tour.

Music-Tip

Ice Sound Concerts

Not only nature lovers - art lovers will also love the eternal ice: In summer, the Parsivaldom of the Giant Ice Cave is transformed into a unique concert hall.

As part of the Ice Sound Concerts, you've the opportunity to treat your ears to a special treat in the "coolest" concert hall in the Salzkammergut - goosebumps included!

Dates: 16.08.2024 | 30.08.2024 | 06.09.2024

Tickets and information can be found on the organiser's website: www.eisklang.at

Bravely crossing the abyssOn the rope bridge

Themed trail

‘Walk through the Alpine flora’

A rich world of plants flourishes from the Hallstättersee lake to the peak of the Dachsteintransforming the Alpine region into a magnificent floral splendour. 

The Alpine flora of the Dachstein is explained on information panels along the way from middle station Schönbergalm to the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave. 

In which languages are the tours offered?

The guided tours are held by the cave guide in German and English. In addition, you can enjoy the guided tour with the free App Hearonymus. Tip: Use the FRE Wi-Fi hotspots onsite. 

Trail to the cave

The ice cave can be reached via a well-maintained path. There are wooden benches along the way to the cave for a short rest and to enjoy the views of the lake Hallstättersee.

FAQ's guided cave tour

Do you have any questions on your cave visit? You can find more information about visiting the caves on our FAQ page or contact our customer service team by mail info@bbds.at or phone +43 50 140 or our social media team via PN on Facebook and Instagram.

How is the ice formed?

The Dachstein Giant 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.

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Guided cave tours