The Dobšinská Ice Cave National Natural Monument, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the lowest ice cave in the world with the highest volume of ice (110,000 cubic metres). In this article you will find information on how to enter the Dobšinská Ice Cave.
It was opened in 1871 and electric lighting was introduced soon afterwards, in 1887, making it the first electrically illuminated cave in Europe.
At present, a 475 m long circuit is open to the public, on which up to 500 steps have to be climbed. The whole tour takes approximately 30 minutes. The cave can be reached by a one-kilometre-long nature trail leading from the Dobšinská Ice Cave Tourist Information Centre, with an elevation of 130 metres. You can visit the cave every year from 15 May to 30 September.
Opening hours: entrances: 15.5. – 31.5.: 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00,
June – Aug: every hour 9:00 – 16:00, Sep: 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00. Mon closed.
| Route | Adults | Children 6-15yrs, disabled *1 |
Students, > 60 years old *2 |
Photo-Video without using a tripod *3 |
Extraordinary entry *4 |
| Dobšinská ice cave | 9,00 € | 4,50 € | 8,00 € | 10,00 € | 50,00 € |
|---|
Explanatory notes:
*1 – Children from 6 to 15 years; Disabled persons over 15 years with valid ID
*2 – Full-time students – in the case of higher education institutions, upon presentation of a valid proof of studies indicating the period of validity for the current year; Persons over 60 years of age
*3 – Photo-Video – Photography and short video recording without the use of a tripod can only take place during the cave tour, after payment of the basic entrance fee and the set fee. This must not interfere with the smooth and safe operation of the cave.
*4 – Extraordinary entry can be made at the request of the visitors after agreement with the cave manager, only between the hours of regular entry, after payment of the basic entry fee and the set fee. This must not interfere with the smooth operation of the cave.
Payment by cultural vouchers is not possible, because our organisation belongs to the competence of the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic and is not an eligible person under Act No. 434/2010 Coll. on the provision of subsidies under the competence of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic
Surroundings of Dobšinská Ice Cave
Educational trail Wetlands of Hnilca
An attractive, only half a kilometre long nature trail connecting the Dobšinská Ice Cave railway station with the local tourist information centre will offer you a view directly into the rare wetland habitats of the upper Hnilec River. As it is guided on wooden benches in the wet sections, you will walk it dry-footed.
Gorges
A beautiful and easy walk through a romantic canyon valley directly from the village of Stratená. The canyon opens on the open meadow plain Pod Hanesovou, from where you can go down to the Dobšinská ice cave.
Straten Canyon
The Stratena Canyon near the village of Stratena is a short romantic canyon section originally used as a state road for motor vehicles, the significance of which was lost with the construction of the tunnel. Nowadays, a nature trail with information panels about the nature of the Slovak Paradise runs through it, suitable primarily for handicapped visitors dependent on a wheelchair.
However, the attractive natural environment of the canyon will also appeal to recreational tourists without disabilities, families with children or cyclists. Directly from the canyon leads one of the access roads to the dominant viewpoint of the area, the hill Havrania skala (1151 m above sea level).
Raven Scale
The Havrania Rock, towering above the village of Stratená, offers unique northern and southern views of almost the entire territory of the Slovak Paradise and its surroundings. Directly from Stratená you can reach the top by a rather steep ascent along the green marked hiking trail between the Sokolie skaly and around the unique natural feature Občasný spring. The final section of the ascent is along a yellow marked trail.
Borovniak
The attractive Borovniak lookout hill (often confused with the neighbouring inaccessible Ondrejisko peak) is a dominant feature of the southern border of the Slovak Paradise. It offers magnificent panoramic views of Kráľová hora, the upper part of the Hnilecka valley. In good weather you can even see the High Tatras from it. Borovniak is best reached from Stratena, part of Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa, along the yellow and then red hiking trail, or from the Besník saddle along the red trail through the Čuntava saddle.
Tarzania Ostrá Skala
The Tarzania Rope Park is located in the village of Stratená, part of Dobšinská Ice Cave, in the vicinity of the Ranch under the Sharp Rock. Wear a safety harness and tackle the 350-metre route full of adrenaline-pumping obstacles located high in the treetops. For younger visitors, there is a 108-metre-long children’s trail with three zip lines. GPS coordinates. More information about the rope park on the Tarzania website.