The Spannagel Cave, the highest show cave in Europe, is located in the area of the Hintertux Glacier
Image gallery: Spannagel Cave
In the rear Tuxertal, a side valley of the Zillertal valley, lies the Spannagel Cave: 13 km of it have been explored. The show cave section in the entrance area of the cave, a 500 m long tour, has been open to the public since 1994. The cave lies in a marble vein (crystalline limestone), a geological peculiarity of the Alps: This marble layer replaces the primary rock and extends from Hintertux to the Spannagel Mountain Hut. Both simple guided tours and longer tours are available: On the treks you explore parts of the cave that otherwise only speleologists get to see.
From Hintertux, the Glacier Cable Cars 1 and 2 take you up to the Tuxer Fernhaus Mountain Hut, which lies at 2,660 m a.s.l. A 10-minute walk away is the Spannagel Mountain Hut, where you can get the equipment for a descent into the cave. Winter-proof clothing and shoes are required.
The cave was discovered in 1919 by Alois Hotter, at that time innkeeper of the Spannagel Mountain Hut. It was named after Dr. Rudolf Spannagel, president of the Austrian Tourist Club from 1902-1904. Already in 1964, this cave system was placed under monument protection.
Contact info
- Spannagel Mountain Hut (2,531 m a.s.l.) - 6293 - Tux
- +43 5287 87251
- info@spannagelhoehle.at
Opening times
During the winter season from October 15 to April 30, the guided cave tours are offered only on prior reservation (every day at 1 pm or at 2 pm):
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
tour 1 - show cave tour (approx. 1 hour):
€ 20.00 adults
€ 20.00 young people (16-18 years)
€ 12.00 children (6-15 years, min. 1.20 m)
discount with the guest card
discount with the Zillertal Active Card
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tour 2 - easy trekking without climbing
(from 14 years on, only on reservation, approx. 2 hours):
€ 75.00 per person
tour 3 - sportive trekking tour
(from 16 years on, only on reservation, approx. 3 hours):
€ 100.00 per person
only cash payment for all tours
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ascent and descent by Glacier Cable Car 1 and 2:
€ 34.00 adults
€ 34.00 young people (16-18 years)
€ 21.50 children and young people (10-15 years)
free for children under 10 years
More information
Tour 1 is offered in summer from early June to mid-October every day without reservation, in autumn and in winter till the end of April only on prior reservation. Tour 2 is exclusively organised on prior reservation, tour 3, however, only between June and mid-October (on reservation).
Surefootedness and no claustrophobia are necessary for all tours, for security reasons, children have to be at least 1.20 metres high. Dogs are not allowed.
The cave stays open all year round, except during the spring closure in May. Summer season start 2025 on the 1st of June. Every year on June 6, the International Day of Caves takes place.
