Dachstein Cave world

The Dachstein Cave World and its three natural show caves rank among the most significant natural monuments of Austria.

Formation

About 200 million years ago the warm primeval ocean Tethys formed, extending directly over where today’s huge Dachstein massif is rising. In the course of millions of years calcite precipitation and shells secreted by marine organisms were deposited on ocean floors forming a calcite stratum, 1.000 m deep. This sea was also home to ‘megalodonts’, heart-shaped shells and today the Dachstein massif is famous for these fossils which are due to their shape referred to as ‘cattle footprints’ (“Kuhtritte”).

The Dachstein massif is a result of continental drifts causing the tectonic uplifting and folding of the calcite stratum. Water enriched with carbon dioxide infiltrated through surface cracks and crevices dissolving the limestone (calcite) and consequently forming caves which developed huge extensions in the course of time.

Three amazing caves

Giant Ice Cave, ranking among the biggest ice caves worldwide, is the probably most remarkable highlight of the World Heritage site, attracting 150.000 visitors per year. Less icy yet not less interesting are the extensive Mammut Cave at the mountain and Koppenbrüller Cave in the valley, the latter featuring amazing underground streams especially at periods of thaw and heavy rainfalls.

Installations, created by the students of the Linz University of Art, provide complementary impressions in all caves and provide surprising light and sound experiences.

Excellent infrastructure

The state-of-the art Dachstein-World heritage-cable cars provide convenient access to both caves – Giant Ice Cave and Mammut Cave.
From the Schönbergalm terminal the two cave entrances are easily accessible within a 15 minutes walk featuring many interesting facts about local alpine flora and the history of the origins of the Earth.

1 hour visits, performed by certified nature and landscape guides, provide compact information focussing on distinct cave particularities. Special features of Giant Ice Cave are the “Ice sound concerts” and the “Korah and the cave bear tours”. Furthermore the cave trekking tours through Mammut Cave and Koppenbrüller Cave will fully meet the expectations of children, groups and corporate outings, dedicated to adventure.