There’s an insightful saying by Saint Augustine which goes like, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”. Truly, the more obscure the destination, the better it is for a wanderer. A true adventurer is always looking for exhilarating experiences, something to witness nature at its closest and feel closer to life itself.
The entire purpose of having an adventure is to try something new and push you to the limit both mentally and physically. Fortunately, there are opportunities galore for seekers of thrilling pursuits as our planet never ceases to amaze us with its exhaustive variety of natural wonders which are almost tailor made for the fit and daring voyagers.
One such exhibition of nature’s magic can be witnessed in ice caves. There’s something otherworldly about the inner atmosphere of ice caves that can only be experienced with one’s own eyes. The razor sharp icicles, chilling draft of air and the stillness of glaciers will make you feel stranded in time.
The degree of skill that is required to navigate the ice caves may vary but there are enough destinations to explore for the absolute newbie as well as for professionals. You can choose from man made or naturally formed ice caves but you shouldn’t choose to miss the chance to have an adventure of a lifetime. Here are 8 of the best ice caves in the world neatly compiled for your convenience.
1) Skaftafell Ice Cave, Iceland
One of the most renowned ice caves in the world is located in the Skaftafell National Park in Iceland. Created over thousands of years by the Vatnajvkull ice cap on the volcanic island, this deep blue ice cave is a mesmerizing sight to bear.
You can book an advance tour through any agency which organizes hotel pickups from the capital city of Reykjavik. Winter is the best time to visit Skaftafell ice cave as the ice is hardened at lower temperatures.
The entrance is through the shoreline and the cave narrows down to a height of about four feet as you reach the very end.
The texture of ice adds to the surreal feeling inside the cave and you can hear the constant cracking sounds which are made due to the movement of glacier.
2) Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves, Alaska, USA
Image Credit: travelpm
Mendenhall glacier is a 13 mile stretch of ice created over 3000 years ago. Underneath the glacier lies one of the most ethereal networks of ice caves in the world. The glacier though is constantly melting (thanks to climate change) and receding every year.
So, it would be wise to plan your travel sooner rather than later. The journey to the glacier begins with an arduous 8 mile hike which adds up to the overall experience.
An experienced travel guide must be booked well in advance to accompany you through the treacherous paths inside the caves. For what it’s worth, the journey ends with some once in a lifetime experiences that you will cherish forever.
3) Eisriesenwelt, Werfen, Austria
Image Credit: edelweiss grossarl
The Eisriesenwelt is the world’s largest ice cave located in Werfen, Austria and extends up to almost 42 km. The cave presents opportunities for tourists of all fitness levels.
Eisriesenwelt is a natural limestone ice cave created by the flow of Salzach river in the mountains which created crevices and eroded passageways. Around 200,000 travelers from around the world flock to the Eisriesenwelt ice caves every year.
The stunning ice formations are formed in springs, when snow melts and seeps through the crevices managing to reach the lower regions of the cave. Only the first kilometer of the cave is accessible to the tourists as the rest of the 42 km stretch of the cave is formed entirely of limestone.
4) Ice Pavilion, Mittelallalin, Switzerland
Switzerland is the ultimate destination for hikers and adventurers with snowy Alps and beautiful meadows scattered throughout the country. The Ice Pavilion in Mittelallalin is definitely a must see as it is one of the world’s largest ice grotto.
Located right next to the world’s highest lying revolving restaurant, the Ice pavilion is a sight to behold. The long and well lit tunnel leads to the scintillating maze of ice caves that combine natural ice formations and artistic man made ice sculptures.
You can take the subterranean cable car Metro Alpin to reach the ice grotto which is an adventure in itself.
5) Booming Ice Chasm, Canadian Rockies, Canada
Image Credit: mirror
The Booming Ice Chasm is a newly discovered ice cave located underneath the Rocky Mountains in Canada.
This hike is exclusively for the experienced professionals as it is a steep climb on crystal clear and slippery ice surface and even one slip can send you hurtling down the dangerous path.
The acoustics inside the cave are such that any sound gets amplified many times which makes it incredibly difficult to converse.
6) Dobšinská Ice Cave, Dobšiná, Slovakia
Image Credit: slovakia.travel
The mountain ranges aptly named Slovak Paradise hold the Dobšinská Ice Cave which is officially listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.
The caves form the most visited part of the Slovak Paradise National Park. The centuries old ice is more than 26.5 m in thickness and forms some of the most fascinating natural ice formations.
The cave is very tourist friendly with well lit tunnels and stairs to aid the beginners.
7) Kamchatka’s Ice Cave, Russia
Image Credit: 56thparallel
Russia is known for its harsh and cold climate but also for its unspoiled natural wonders. One of them is Kamchatka’s Ice Cave located near the Mutnovsky volcano which has a dream like quality about it.
The cave shines with multi colored lights as the sunlight hits the roof which makes it feel like a portal to some other world. You can walk along the gentle stream of ice cold water that flows inside and feel the glacier shifting above.
8) Mer de Glace, Chamonix, France
Image Credit: over blog
Mer de Glace is an entirely man made cave originally carved in 1946 with nothing but ice picks. The cave which is located in Chamonix valley has everything to offer you an unreal experience.
It provides you a glimpse in 19th century mountain life and contains glorious ice sculptures. What’s interesting is that the cave is re-carved every year to account for the shifting of glacier which moves about 70mm every year.
The Gallery of Crystals houses some of the finest collection of crystal specimens and should not be missed.
