Austria’s giant ice cave

High in the Austrian Alps, above the town of Werfen, lies Eisriesenwelt, the world’s largest ice cave. It is a dynamic ice cave, with its formations constantly changing, and each year, from May 1 to Oct. 26, visitors can take a 70-minute tour of part of the 40-kilometer cave system, seeing enormous ice formations as well as stalagmites and stalactites of ice.

At the base of the mountain, visitors begin at the Besucherzentrum (Eishohlenstrasse 30, 5450 Werefen, Austria; phone +43 6468 5248) and take a 1.5km hike or a 3-minute cable car ride to an eatery, whence visitors walk up 134 meters to the cave’s entrance. There is a large number of stairs within the cave. Photography is not allowed.

Winter clothes and sturdy shoes are required. Headlamps are provided. Tours run 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m., May, June, Sept. & Oct., and 8-4:45, July & Aug. €24 (near $26) includes cable car. Visit www.eisriesenwelt.at/en.