Cave labyrinth of superlatives
The endless expanse of the Dachstein massif from inside – the giant Mammut Cave is one of the largest karst caves in the world impresses with its size, variety of shapes and spectacular artistic installations – something you would never expect to see beneath the ground in Salzkammergut!
The name Mammut Cave was chosen by explorers due to the astonishing dimensions of the underground spaces and passageways contained within this cave system. At present, more than 70 km of these passageways have been explored – around 1 km of them can be viewed during the guided tours.
You can enjoy the time until your guided tour in the cave starts at the idyllic Schönbergalm. There you can visit the exhibition 'climat change at the Dachstein', explore the kids adventure cave, steam off at Almbodenkick or discover the geology at the experiences trail.
The Mammut cave is reached via a well-developed path where you can enjoy the fantastic view of the valley.
Guided cave tour Mammut Cave
Starting point: middle station Schönbergalm (section 1)
Walking time to the Cave: approx. 15 to 20 minutes
Duration of the guided cave tour: 50 minutes
Temperature: +3 °C (37,4 °F)
Can children visit the cave?
Thanks to the fantastic infrastructure, the Mammut Cave is also perfect for visits with kids of any age.
Registration for the guided tour:
Please register for the guided tour in the Mammut Cave on site at the cave ticket counter in the middle station Schönbergalm, there you get the number and time for your cave tour. Guided tours take place on an ongoing basis.
Registration at cave ticket counter is required for individuals and all groups! To set a fix time of a guided cave tour is only possible, when booking a "special guided tour" at a 'single guide surcharge'.
Note: Warm clothing!
When visiting the caves (only permissible with a trained guide), we recommend that you wear robust shoes and warm clothing. Temperatures in the cave rarely exceed freezing point and there is only an average temperature of +3 °C (37,4 °F).
This exciting tour ... ... awaits you in the Mammut Cave
During 50 minutes tours of the Mammut Caves, visitors gain insight into how the caves developed and the work of the cave researchers. They learn how powerful volumes of water once gushed through the mountain as well as the problems which confronted cave researchers in the ‘Midnight Dome’ during their multi-day expeditions of the inside of the mountain.
In this ‘Kingdom of shadows’, there are no boundaries to the imagination. Here, nature has created its own images from the white mountain milk and brown iron oxide, generating names such as ‘Cave Venus’ and ‘Woman with Hooped Skirt’.
And finally, installations from the Linz University of Art - such as the incidence of light and cave scan projects - never fail to impress.
In which languages are the tours offered?
The guided tours are held by the cave guide in German and English. In addition, you can enjoy the guided tour with the free App Hearonymus. Tip: Use the FRE Wi-Fi hotspots onsite.
Themed trail
Walk through the history of the Earth’
The past 550 million years of the Earth’s history are presented on the route from the Schönbergalm cable car station to the Mammut Cave over a trail of 550 m.
The route demonstrates the time taken for life on Earth to develop. The history of mankind is just a minute moment in this vast history.
Mammut cave trekking tour
Submerse yourself in a fascinating underground world with an adventurous trekking tour! Grab your overalls, head torch and helmet and explore the ‘Verfallene Burg' or the inner of the mountain. Narrow corridors, climbing sections and plenty of adrenaline: an exciting experience away from the tourist trail is guaranteed!
History of the Mammut cave
The West entrance to the Mammut Cave was used as a cellar for many centuries. Poachers, once numerous in the Inner Salzkammergut area, also used the area to store any game they caught.
In 1910, exploration began of the seemingly endless corridors of the Mammut cave from the western side. On the East side, facing the Ice cave, several ice entrances were identified which were finally linked with the western section in 1914.
The First World War brought a halt to the research activities. After the end of the war, the military built a route through the Mammut cave which was then improved over the decades which followed.
Today, over 70 km of the Mammut cave have been researched. The impressive size of the passageways and the hope of finding one of the longest caves in Europe prompted researchers to choose this name (transl. Mammoth cave).
Over the last few years, artistic installations have made the Mammut cave even more attractive and the Dachstein caves are now impressing visitors with their new look.
Art in the mountain
Light and shade in the Mammut cave – the ‘Laser scan’ and ‘Incidences of light’ installations captivate in the endless gloom of one of Europe’s largest caves.
Particularly impressive is the projection of the Cave Venus’ and ‘Woman with Hooped Skirt’ which emerges from the cliff as if from nowhere.. Plenty of surprises guaranteed!
Do you know?
The height difference between the highest and lowest point reached during the explorations is no less than 1,199 m. As a result of these figures, the Dachstein Mammut cave has been named the 30th longest cave in the world and 31st deepest.
Discover & Relax
Nature park Schönbergalm
Food & Drinks
Erlebnisrestaurant Schönbergalm