Hundalm Ice Cave

The Hundalm Ice and Dripstone Cave (Hundalm Eishöhle) is the only publicly accessible ice cave in the west of Austria, and the only cave in the North Tyrolean Alps with ice formations, stalactites and stalagmites. It can be found on the high plateau north of Angerberg, about 3 km north of Mariastein. The path leads on from the Inntal valley via the Buchacker Mountain Hut to the cave, or you choose the alternative hike from Lake Hinterthiersee via the Kögl Mountain Hut.

The main entrance is located on 1,520 m a.s.l. Stairs and steps lead 45 m down below the surface. Since 1956, the cave has been protected, while researches started in the mid 60s - it has been proved that some stalactites and stalagmites date back to 120,000 to 350,000 years ago. In 1966, however, it was expanded to be the only show cave of Tyrol, and commenced operations in 1967.

The cave is an astonishing natural phenomenon: The tour takes you first to the main chamber with its ice formations, whereas on the southern end there are the stalactites and stalagmites. The round walk proceeds also to the lowest point of the cave, where the oldest ice layer can be found - it dates back to 1,300 years ago. Another lower lying ice-free area is not accessible to the public.