A mountain experience of the special kind is the Obstans Ice Cave, located near the eponymous lake in East Tyrol.
The Obstans Ice Cave (Obstanser Eishöhle, in German) in the Hochpustertal valley in East Tyrol, located between the Lienz Dolomites and the Carnic Alps, can be reached from the mountaineering village of Kartitsch. First the trail takes you via the “Prinz Heinrich” Trail and along the Obstans Waterfall up to the “Prinz Heinrich” Chapel at 1,957 m a.s.l. It was built in commemoration of Prince Heinrich of Bavaria (1884 - 1916), a member of the Bavarian Royal House of Wittelsbach. Then the trail proceeds to Lake Obstans and its mountain hut (2,304 m a.s.l.) along the Carnic High Route. The last part to the cave is marked and secured by ropes.
At this point an 800 metres long cave opens up, which has only partially been researched and opened up. Parts of the Obstans Ice can only be passed by crowling, but a 100 m long path inside has been made open to the public. The cave can be visited in guided tours. A special experience!
Guided tours are offered by the Hochpustertal Alpine School (AAH - Alpin Aktiv Hochpustertal). Don’t forget to bring a torchlight and warm clothes, as not for nothing this cave is called ice cave! In torchlight it reflects various ice formations, dripstones and other interesting formations.
Where: near Karditsch in the Hochpustertal valley in East Tyrol
Characteristics: a partially explored cave system with ice and dripstone formations
Further information: phone: +43 664 5750847, info@bergschule-aah.at
Opening hours: during summer months 2020
upon request (Hochpustertal Alpine School)
Tickets (adults):
upon request
