Salzburg: Eisriesenwelt, Only hiking from bottom to top [closed]

Salzburg: Eisriesenwelt, Only hiking from bottom to top [closed] - Mountainous valley view with green terrain and narrow river between

I am travelling to Werfer, to see the amazing ice caves of Eisriesenwelt. In the spirit of enjoying the views and saving money, I thought of trekking the whole route from Werfen bahnhof (railway station). I saw in tripadvisor, that many people have been complaining that the cave tour itself was quite strenuous.

What was your experience (if somebody has done what I intend to do)?

My Details

  • Age group: 29 years
  • fitness level: Overweight but active
  • trekking experience: did 25 kms (in a day) of hiking in Swiss Alps last year


Best Answer

I have used the cable car, so I can only comment on the last part of your trip.

For the average tourist, not used to hiking in the mountains, the tour is quite strenuous. It's a 20min walk (90m elevation gain) from parking to the cable car, another 15min (70m) walk from the cable car to the entrance of the cave, and about 700 stairs (134m) to climb inside the cave. Most of the path outside is wide enough for a car to drive on.

It's 1120m elevation gain* from Werfen (or Tenneck) train station to the entrance of the cave. Given your hiking experience, this should be doable.

Be prepared for the change in pace and temperature, though. When you get there, you might be soaked with sweat, and about to start a slow guided tour at freezing temperatures.


Eisriesenwelt says:

Hikers

Marked hiking trails to the Eisriesenwelt are available from both Werfen and Tenneck. The ascent from the valley to the aerial cable car will take about 1 1/2 or 2 hours. If you also intend to hike the cable car route (exposed mountain trail - only for people with experience!), you should plan for additional ascent time of about 1 1/2 hours.

Note: The footpath from the cable car’s valley station to the summit station is a secured Alpine climbing trail in an exposed location. You will need to be free of vertigo and have good hiking equipment! Please contact us if you have any specific requests or questions!


Link: https://www.eisriesenwelt.at/en

*Werfen train station at 523m (Google Maps route to the valley station), entrance at 1641m (Eisriesenwelt)


Edit: I've been there again. Here are some pictures taken from the cable car:

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Pictures about "Salzburg: Eisriesenwelt, Only hiking from bottom to top [closed]"

Salzburg: Eisriesenwelt, Only hiking from bottom to top [closed] - Rough mountain ridge against overcast sky during sundown
Salzburg: Eisriesenwelt, Only hiking from bottom to top [closed] - From above of crop anonymous anonymous traveler in stylish sneakers standing on top of rough rocky cliff and admiring view
Salzburg: Eisriesenwelt, Only hiking from bottom to top [closed] - From below of unrecognizable hiker standing alone on edge of rocky cliff against cloudy sky



How many steps are in eisriesenwelt?

A trip to Eisriesenwelt requires a great deal of walking and climbing as there are 1400 steps inside the cave (ca. 700 steps up and 700 steps down). Though you do not need to be in amazing shape, you should posses a reasonable level of fitness.

Is eisriesenwelt worth?

Eisriesenwelt and Dachstein are simply incredible. I felt fascinated visiting an ice cave in Austria for first time and the tour at Eisriesenwelt was totally worth it. I'm the kind of person who prefers to travel more independently and explore places like this only with a private guide or by myself.

Where is the largest ice cave?

Ice Caves in Werfen
  • Discover the world's biggest ice cave! Werfen's "Eisriesenwelt" [world of ice giants] is actually the world's biggest ice cave: The cave system extends more than 42 km deep into the mountain. ...
  • Fascinating World of Ice. ...
  • Guided Cave Tours. ...
  • Ride up on Austria's steepest gondola lift.


How do I get to werfen?

The train to Werfen leaves from the central train station in Salzburg. Departures are frequent. The S3 leaves every half an hour, and the regional train REX also almost every half an hour. You get your ticket for the train from the machine at the train station.



The Largest Ice cave in the World, Eisriesenwelt




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Julia Volk, Corinna Widmer, Erik Mclean, ArtHouse Studio