Overview
The Dachstein Rieseneishöhle (Giant Ice Cave) lies at 1,174 meters altitude inside the Dachstein massif, the mountain range that towers above Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut lake district. The cave system extends over 2,000 meters into the limestone, with the visitor route covering roughly 1 kilometer through chambers filled with massive ice formations — frozen waterfalls, ice columns, and translucent curtains of ice illuminated by colored lighting. The ice inside the cave is up to 500 years old and reaches thicknesses of 20 meters in some sections. A separate Mammuthöhle (Mammoth Cave, named for its mammoth proportions, not the animal) offers a non-ice experience deeper in the mountain. Both caves are reached from the Schönbergalm middle station of the Dachstein Krippenstein cable car. Combine the ice cave with the Skywalk Hallstatt viewing platform and the Salt Mine for a full day exploring Hallstatt's extraordinary natural and cultural landscape.
Trails
Eispalast (Ice Palace): The largest chamber, with frozen waterfalls up to 8 meters tall illuminated in blue and white. König-Artus-Dom (King Arthur's Dome): Cathedral-scale ice chamber where the formations create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Illuminated ice curtains: Translucent ice sheets lit from behind, revealing trapped air bubbles and mineral traces. Five Fingers viewpoint: Five metal platforms projecting over a 400-meter cliff above the Hallstätter See (separate from cave, reached by continuing the cable car upward). Mammuthöhle: Non-ice cave system with enormous chambers and karst formations — combine with the ice cave for contrasting underground experiences. Krippenstein summit: Cable car continues above the caves to 2,100 meters for hiking trails and panoramic views.
Wildlife
The Dachstein massif above the cave entrance supports Alpine wildlife adapted to high-altitude conditions. Alpendohlen (Alpine choughs) — glossy black birds with yellow bills — swirl in flocks around the cable car stations and cave entrance, boldly approaching visitors for crumbs. Gämsen (chamois) inhabit the rocky slopes above the treeline, occasionally visible from the Five Fingers platform or hiking trails above Schönbergalm. Marmots whistle warnings from boulder fields in summer, and golden eagles patrol the ridgelines. The karst landscape itself — over 1,000 known caves in the Dachstein system — is a geological wonder, and a guide with mountain expertise explains how water, ice, and time sculpted the limestone into the formations you see both above and below ground.
When to Visit
Season: Late May to late October (closed in winter). Tours: Guided tours depart every 15-30 minutes, 9:20 AM-3:30 PM. Tour duration: Approximately 50 minutes underground. Access: Dachstein Krippenstein cable car to Schönbergalm, then 15-minute uphill walk to cave entrance. Best time: First tours of the day see fewer visitors; the cave temperature is constant regardless of outside weather.
Admission and Costs
Ice Cave + cable car: €42 adults. Combo (Ice Cave + Mammoth Cave + cable car): €48 adults. All-inclusive (both caves + Five Fingers + cable car): €55 adults. Children 4-15: Roughly half adult price. Cable car only (no cave): €30 adults (to Five Fingers viewpoint). Private mountain guide: €250-400 for full-day Dachstein excursion.
Tips for Visitors
Dress very warmly: Cave temperature is below 0°C year-round; gloves and warm layers are essential even in August. Wear sturdy shoes: The cave floor is wet, icy, and involves 500+ metal steps — no sandals or smooth-soled shoes. Moderate fitness required: Over 500 steps up and down inside the cave; not suitable for those with mobility issues. Not for young children: Cold, dark, and physically demanding — minimum age 4, but consider carefully for under-8s. Half-day excursion: Including cable car, walk, cave tour, and optional Five Fingers, plan 4-5 hours total. Weather at altitude: Schönbergalm (1,350m) can be cold and foggy even when Hallstatt below is sunny — bring layers.