6 ice caves around the world that look otherworldly

Ice caves are breathtaking marvels created by nature on its own. Travellers get to explore a frozen world created after nature did its own magic. These ice caves are mostly found under glaciers or within mountains and are so beautiful that they almost feel unearthly. Let’s look at some ice caves all over the world that will definitely leave you awe-struck:

A natural limestone and ice cave located in Werfen, Austria. This cave is considered the largest ice cave in the world; it stretches around 42 km inside the Hochkogel mountain. Visitors will find that the first kilometre of the cave is filled with ice formations, while the rest of the cave consists of limestone formations. Visitors can explore the ice cave till the first kilometre only, while the rest of the cave is reserved for studies. Visitors traverse iconic features like Posselt Hall, the Great Ice Embankment, and the Ice Palace, each shrouded in mystery.

Mutnovsky is an active volcano, and the ice cave that forms here is from the volcanic heat of the Mutnovsky volcano, which interacts with overlying glaciers, melting channels through the ice and creating cave systems with surreal colors and steam vents. These caves are breathtakingly beautiful and have recently become quite thin as the glaciers here have been melting in recent years. Sunlight penetrates through them, illuminating the structures within and creating a magical spectacle.

An ice cave located in Slovakia in the Slovak Paradise and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed under the Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, because of its unique cave formations and natural beauty. The cave slopes down after the entrance, which cools it more quickly during winter as the winds easily flow down. The cave dates back to around 250,000 years ago and is open to the public from May to September.

The Big Four Mountain is located above the ice caves, and when the ice melts in summer, it flows beneath the debris and forms caves of ice which are absolutely stunning and a must-visit. This ice cave has a famous trail that is considered one of the most popular hikes in the forest and attracts over 50,000 visitors each year, which makes it an easy-to-visit place. One must definitely visit here during the summer but with caution, as there is always a chance of an avalanche.

An artificial ice cave located on the Mont Blanc massif of the French Alps. The cave is situated within the Chamonix Valley on the Mer de Glace glacier, which is dug out every year. The Mer de Glace cave attracts a lot of visitors every year, approximately 350,000 visitors per year. This ice cave was earlier called the ‘Crystal Cave’ or the ‘Crystal Palace’. The cave consists of sculptures inside it and is absolutely beautiful. It is accessible by rack railway and cable cars, both offering a great immersive experience to visitors.

A lava tube located in the Aokigahara Forest and one of the three lava tubes located at the foot of Mount Fuji. The Narusawa Ice Cave is around 156 metres long, and the average temperature inside the cave is around 3 degrees Celsius. Earlier, this cave was used as a natural refrigerator; during the 1900s, the ice here was used for refrigeration before the electric refrigerator was made. The ice cave is so breathtaking that it will definitely leave you awe-struck. Enhancing its beauty is the Aokigahara Forest around it. The best time to visit here is during winter, but one can visit during summer as well for a cool retreat.