Ice bathing in summer? Sounds impossible, but it's possible in Tyrol's largest glacier cave. We don't even know why almost nobody brings their swimming gear when they visit here... but a boat trip across the underground glacial lake is fun after all. And you can marvel at the many ice wonders of the glacier cave much better in warm clothing anyway.
Admittedly, the almost vertical Martinswand does not look particularly accessible. And yet the cave, which can be seen from afar, can also be reached by families via a well-secured path. Emperor Max didn't have it so easy back then.
Out of the car and straight to the destination? Not here! Because if you want to cool off in this cave and its constant 0° Celsius, you first have to warm up on a hike. It's a little longer, but very easy. We promise.
Marble, mill, running water. Sounds like a classy kitchen facility for DIY enthusiasts? That's right. But that's also the name of three of the cave points on the Hintertux Glacier. But don't be misled: there is of course nothing to eat on the three tours through the interior of the mountain.
If you want to find Stone Age relics or bear bones in this cave, you can save yourself the trip, as they are already on display in the valley. But then you would miss out on a rather adventurous hike and this place of power, and we really don't recommend that.
Hiking, Kaiserschmarrn, pedal boating at 2,300 metres above sea level and then exploring Tyrol's second-longest ice cave... sounds a bit much for one day? Anyway, pack your toothbrush and sleeping bag and stay in the Obstansersee hut, then you'll finally be able to jump into the mountain lake in the morning.
Yes and no. In principle, the weather doesn't play a major role when exploring a Tyrolean cave, which makes them ideal rainy weather destinations. However, as some can only be reached by hiking, we recommend only visiting these caves in good hiking weather: Kaiser-Max-Grotte, Tischoferhöhle, Obstanser Höhle and Hundsalmhöhle.
In summer in particular, the two ice caves Obstanser Höhle and Hundsalmhöhle are a welcome way to cool off after a hike, which is why we highly recommend them as excursion destinations for hot days.
The Natural Ice Palace and the cave at the Spannaglhaus can be visited in (almost) any weather, as they are only a short walk from the mountain stations of Glacier Bus 2 and 3 on the Hintertux Glacier.
The Nature Ice Palace glacier cave and the marble cave at the Spannagelhaus are open all year round. Both are located on the Hintertux Glacier.
Guided tours are offered in four Tyrolean caves: in the two ice caves Obstanser Höhle and Hundsalmhöhle, the glacier cave Natureispalast and the marble cave at Spannagelhaus. There you not only learn interesting facts about the cave and its scientific significance, but are also often amazed by the rock and ice formations, stalactites and the odd unusual detail. If your thirst for knowledge is still not quenched after visiting the caves, we recommend a visit to one of the many Tyrolean show caves afterwards.
The Tischofer Cave near Kufstein and the Kaiser Max Grotto near Kematen are freely accessible. If you want to delve deeper into history here, you can view the artefacts from the Tischofer Cave in the Kufstein Museum or brush up on your knowledge of the famous Tyrolean emperor in Innsbruck's Ferdinadeum and Ambras Castle.
You don't need much to visit a Tyrolean show cave: good shoes and warm clothing are usually enough. If safety equipment or a headlamp is required, this is usually provided by the organiser before the tour.
Yes, especially the caves on the Hintertux Glacier (Nature Ice Palace, cave at the Spannagelhaus) offer a fantastic and educational experience for children and adults alike thanks to their fairy-tale lighting, exciting and amusing details and unusual formations of stone and ice.
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