The traveller in me is it itching to tell a story yet again... today the cool breezy morning took me back in time to the summer of 2012 when I was driving through the Alps in Salzburg, Austria with my friends.
Indeed, I was smitten by the greenry and alpine backdrop that Salzburg had to offer but what really took my breath away were the natural limestone ice caves located in Werfen, 40 kms away from Salzburg.
The caves are peacefully hidden 1586 meters above sea level in the Hochkogel mountain of the Alps. The journey upto the caves is quite an adventure in itself as the first one third of the climb is done by road in a vehicle , the next one third by a cable car and the rest by walking up a precipitous, narrow path up the mountain. The climb can be exhausting and time consuming but the spectacular caves and the breathtaking birds eyeview of the valleys and mountains below is totally worth the effort.
So after an exhausting yet exhilarating journey up to the cave entry we were handed pit lamps to help us navigate through the dimlit caves ahead and advised to cover as much as possible in warm clothes to bear the low temperatures inside the caves. While walking through the caves, I was left spellbound by the natural ice sculptures and ice formations created by stalactite and stalagmite ice growths. The stunning ice giants were indeed the highlight of the trip plus our pleasent and knowledgeable guide made our visit all the more memorable.
Certain more facts about these beautiful caves are:
1. They are the world's largest ice caves
2. Although the caves are 45 kms long, only the first km is open to visitors.
3. The caves are open May to October
Indeed, I was smitten by the greenry and alpine backdrop that Salzburg had to offer but what really took my breath away were the natural limestone ice caves located in Werfen, 40 kms away from Salzburg.
The caves are peacefully hidden 1586 meters above sea level in the Hochkogel mountain of the Alps. The journey upto the caves is quite an adventure in itself as the first one third of the climb is done by road in a vehicle , the next one third by a cable car and the rest by walking up a precipitous, narrow path up the mountain. The climb can be exhausting and time consuming but the spectacular caves and the breathtaking birds eyeview of the valleys and mountains below is totally worth the effort.
So after an exhausting yet exhilarating journey up to the cave entry we were handed pit lamps to help us navigate through the dimlit caves ahead and advised to cover as much as possible in warm clothes to bear the low temperatures inside the caves. While walking through the caves, I was left spellbound by the natural ice sculptures and ice formations created by stalactite and stalagmite ice growths. The stunning ice giants were indeed the highlight of the trip plus our pleasent and knowledgeable guide made our visit all the more memorable.
Certain more facts about these beautiful caves are:
1. They are the world's largest ice caves
2. Although the caves are 45 kms long, only the first km is open to visitors.
3. The caves are open May to October
21 comments:
The mountain looks really amazing. How's the temperature at the peak? You must have had worn extra warm jackets and warmers.
I want to try to expore mountians
Amazing breathtaking view!
Beautiful Nature having beautiful places.
I'd love to see this caves. The way to the caves looks challenging though but I'm sure it's worth it.
Wow what a breath taking view! I wish i could visit such a beautiful place!
What a fantastic journey up the caves! Wish you had photos of the actual climb. Was it too dim to take pics? What is the distance and how long did it take you?
That last picture where you took a photo from the cave opening is amazing!
Wow! I am so amazed with the caves. Hope that someday, i could visit this place.
Gorgeous photos! I´ve never been to Alps.
I never experienced entering a cave, and climbing a mountain. You really enjoyed discovering this place, especially the views.
How absolutely beautiful!
The Ice caves look amazing! I only wish i could get to those places some day.
You always find incredibly beautiful places to visit. I love the beauty of these mountains, being close to nature gives me energy and internal strength to survive and be a fighter. Every time I feel down, I go to the mountains to recharge my life batteries!
Beautiful Alps! I've ever entered a cave in Jogjakarta, Indonesia and it isn't beautiful like in Salzburg.
How beautiful! The pictures are amazing and the nature is even more astounding!
The experience is well written, but can you post the images in big size so location can be clearly visible
Stunning! How lucky you are to have seen such beauty up close. I would love to visit and see the Alps someday..
Conquering mountains is such an experience. So sure you have one. the landscape is really amazing.
wow that's a very beautiful place! it's great to be one with nature once in a while! thanks for sharing! :)
The Alps are absolutely beautiful. Your story and photos do it justice too.
Wow, the views are all stunning. I only hear the Alps in stories. I wish to visit the Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves.
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