Top 10 Ice Caves in the World
Ice caves are the amazing wonders of nature, hiding under the glaciers. Many tours to the glaciers include visiting the caves. Some caves are not open for everyone, since they are difficult to navigate. However, many of them were discovered by the fearless adventurers. If you are going to visit any ice cave that is not monitored by any tourist service, you have to remember that it may collapse any time, so be extra careful.
1. Skaftafell Ice Cave, Iceland
The most recognizable cave, located in the favorite Skaftafell National Park, is gorgeous. The blue ice however can be seen after a heavy rain in winter. It is even said that when the glacier moves even a millimeter, the loud sound is heard in the cave.
Why to go there?: The most popular ice cave, surrounded with beautiful nature of Iceland.
When to go there?: In winter, when it is really cold and the ice wouldn’t collapse.
How to get there?: The agencies organize hotel pick-ups from Reykjavík.
Photo Dave & Paula
2. Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves, Juneau, Alaska, USA
19 km long glacier hides some of the most stunning ice caves underneath. The caves are unique for the melting ice, which forms springs, that add up extra beauty to the caves.
Why to go there?: Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most popular attractions in Alaska and a very accessible glacier.
When to go there?: Anytime – the area doesn’t experience dramatic climate changes.
How to get there?: The tours to the glacier take off from the downtown of Juneau.
Photo Kent Mearig
3. Booming Ice Chasm, Canadian Rockies, Canada
The ice is crystal clear and the cave has amazing acoustics. Only professionals should climb these icy walls, though, because the slightest mistake would send them sliding into the wall.
Why to go there?: A serious challenge for the experienced climbers.
When to go there?: The cave remains frozen all year round. Various hikes are available in the area.
How to get there?: Situated on the Alberta/British Columbia border, which is a 90 min drive from Calgary.
Photo: Michael Anderson
4. Big Four Ice Caves, Mount Rainier, USA
Located in the Cascade Range of Washington around Mount Rainier, the Big Four ice caves attract a lot of tourists. On a hiking trail visitors get to admire unspoiled nature. Also the caves in Paradise Glacier around Mount Rainier are no less impressive.
Why to go there?: There are many ice caves in the area.
When to go there?: Go there during summer and fall.
How to get there?: The tour takes off from Big Four Picnic Area, which is 40 km from Verlot Public Service Center.
Photo: Michael Matti
Photo: Jordan Ek
Photo: Mukul Soman
Photo: Rick Lundh
5. Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Ice Cave, Iceland
Situated in the southern Iceland, the glacier hides an active volcano Katla underneath. The scientists have been carefully monitoring the volcano’s activity recently. However, the tours to the glacier are popular among the tourists.
Why to go there?: The glacier is easy to access for anybody and its Arctic beauty is impressive.
When to go there?: Go there during winter.
How to get there?: The agencies organize hotel pick-ups from Reykjavík.
Photo: Erez Marom
Photo: Marketa Kalvachova
6. Eisriesenwelt, Werfen, Austria
42 km long, it is the biggest ice cave in the world. Loved by the tourists, the cave provides very exciting sites. The guided tours will provide information about its formation. The trip from Salzburg to the caves is also very scenic.
Why to go there?: One of the most important ice caves in the world, easily accessible.
When to go there?: Eisriesenwelt is open from May 1st to October 26th.
How to get there?: 40 km from Salzburg. Viator arranges pick-ups from a hotel.
7. Dobšinská Ice Cave, Dobšiná, Slovakia
Situated in mountain range known as Slovak Paradise, the cave is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The thickness of ice can reach 26.5 m, making it one of the most significant ice caves in the world. The stairs in the cave make it easy to access and explore.
Why to go there?: The ice structures are enormous and the developed tourism makes it an enjoyable experience.
When to go there?: The cave is open from May 15 to Sept 30, except Mondays.
How to get there?: Dobšiná village is situated between Poprad and Rožňava.
8. Kamchatka’s Ice Cave, Russia
The region is known for rough climate, but also the most amazing unspoiled nature. Surrounded with active volcanoes on the surface, the ice cave is of breathtaking beauty. The ice is so thin, that when sun illuminates, it shimmers multicolor lights.
Why to go there?: Kamchatka is a truly unique and remote place, loved by the adventurers.
When to go there?: The tours to Mutnovsky volcano, which is near the cave, take place from July to September.
How to get there?: Best way to get there is by plane: from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok or other Russian cities.
Photo: Marc Szeglat
9. Gorner Glacier, Valais, Switzerland
The second largest glacier in the Alps, Gorner owns some impressive ice caves. The caves were explored by the professional team, who had to dig their way into the caves. The gorgeous pictures depict undiscovered beauty of these caves.
Why to go there?: Get a tour to the most popular Gorner Glacier. However, the caves are hard to access, therefore there are no cave tours.
How to get there?: Train from Zermatt, known as Gornergratbahn, goes there. The famous route has scenic views, that are also said to be a must see once in Zermatt.
Photo: Robbie Shone
10. Ice Grotto of Mittelallalin, Fairy Glacier, Switzerland
The ice pavilion inside of the glacier, hides ice, that is thousands of years old. Located at an altitude of 3,500 m it also has an ice gallery of the ice sculptures. Ice Grotto provides with an interesting interactive experience.
Why to go there?: Besides the pavilion, Mittelallalin is a popular ski resort and has a revolving restaurant with amazing panoramic views.
When to go there?: All year round.
How to get there?: With Alpine train go to the Mittelallalin stop, then get in the cable car, which will take to the cave.
Source: Places to See in Your Lifetime
The most recognizable cave, located in the favorite Skaftafell National Park, is gorgeous. The blue ice however can be seen after a heavy rain in winter. It is even said that when the glacier moves even a millimeter, the loud sound is heard in the cave.
Why to go there?: The most popular ice cave, surrounded with beautiful nature of Iceland.
When to go there?: In winter, when it is really cold and the ice wouldn’t collapse.
How to get there?: The agencies organize hotel pick-ups from Reykjavík.
Photo Dave & Paula
2. Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves, Juneau, Alaska, USA
19 km long glacier hides some of the most stunning ice caves underneath. The caves are unique for the melting ice, which forms springs, that add up extra beauty to the caves.
Why to go there?: Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most popular attractions in Alaska and a very accessible glacier.
When to go there?: Anytime – the area doesn’t experience dramatic climate changes.
How to get there?: The tours to the glacier take off from the downtown of Juneau.
Photo Kent Mearig
3. Booming Ice Chasm, Canadian Rockies, Canada
The ice is crystal clear and the cave has amazing acoustics. Only professionals should climb these icy walls, though, because the slightest mistake would send them sliding into the wall.
Why to go there?: A serious challenge for the experienced climbers.
When to go there?: The cave remains frozen all year round. Various hikes are available in the area.
How to get there?: Situated on the Alberta/British Columbia border, which is a 90 min drive from Calgary.
Photo: Michael Anderson
4. Big Four Ice Caves, Mount Rainier, USA
Located in the Cascade Range of Washington around Mount Rainier, the Big Four ice caves attract a lot of tourists. On a hiking trail visitors get to admire unspoiled nature. Also the caves in Paradise Glacier around Mount Rainier are no less impressive.
Why to go there?: There are many ice caves in the area.
When to go there?: Go there during summer and fall.
How to get there?: The tour takes off from Big Four Picnic Area, which is 40 km from Verlot Public Service Center.
Photo: Michael Matti
Photo: Jordan Ek
Photo: Mukul Soman
Photo: Rick Lundh
5. Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Ice Cave, Iceland
Situated in the southern Iceland, the glacier hides an active volcano Katla underneath. The scientists have been carefully monitoring the volcano’s activity recently. However, the tours to the glacier are popular among the tourists.
Why to go there?: The glacier is easy to access for anybody and its Arctic beauty is impressive.
When to go there?: Go there during winter.
How to get there?: The agencies organize hotel pick-ups from Reykjavík.
Photo: Erez Marom
Photo: Marketa Kalvachova
6. Eisriesenwelt, Werfen, Austria
42 km long, it is the biggest ice cave in the world. Loved by the tourists, the cave provides very exciting sites. The guided tours will provide information about its formation. The trip from Salzburg to the caves is also very scenic.
Why to go there?: One of the most important ice caves in the world, easily accessible.
When to go there?: Eisriesenwelt is open from May 1st to October 26th.
How to get there?: 40 km from Salzburg. Viator arranges pick-ups from a hotel.
7. Dobšinská Ice Cave, Dobšiná, Slovakia
Situated in mountain range known as Slovak Paradise, the cave is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The thickness of ice can reach 26.5 m, making it one of the most significant ice caves in the world. The stairs in the cave make it easy to access and explore.
Why to go there?: The ice structures are enormous and the developed tourism makes it an enjoyable experience.
When to go there?: The cave is open from May 15 to Sept 30, except Mondays.
How to get there?: Dobšiná village is situated between Poprad and Rožňava.
8. Kamchatka’s Ice Cave, Russia
The region is known for rough climate, but also the most amazing unspoiled nature. Surrounded with active volcanoes on the surface, the ice cave is of breathtaking beauty. The ice is so thin, that when sun illuminates, it shimmers multicolor lights.
Why to go there?: Kamchatka is a truly unique and remote place, loved by the adventurers.
When to go there?: The tours to Mutnovsky volcano, which is near the cave, take place from July to September.
How to get there?: Best way to get there is by plane: from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok or other Russian cities.
Photo: Marc Szeglat
9. Gorner Glacier, Valais, Switzerland
The second largest glacier in the Alps, Gorner owns some impressive ice caves. The caves were explored by the professional team, who had to dig their way into the caves. The gorgeous pictures depict undiscovered beauty of these caves.
Why to go there?: Get a tour to the most popular Gorner Glacier. However, the caves are hard to access, therefore there are no cave tours.
How to get there?: Train from Zermatt, known as Gornergratbahn, goes there. The famous route has scenic views, that are also said to be a must see once in Zermatt.
Photo: Robbie Shone
10. Ice Grotto of Mittelallalin, Fairy Glacier, Switzerland
The ice pavilion inside of the glacier, hides ice, that is thousands of years old. Located at an altitude of 3,500 m it also has an ice gallery of the ice sculptures. Ice Grotto provides with an interesting interactive experience.
Why to go there?: Besides the pavilion, Mittelallalin is a popular ski resort and has a revolving restaurant with amazing panoramic views.
When to go there?: All year round.
How to get there?: With Alpine train go to the Mittelallalin stop, then get in the cable car, which will take to the cave.
Source: Places to See in Your Lifetime
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Top 10 Ice Caves in the World
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Reviewed by Eli Snow
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