One of the largest ice caves in the world

The Scarisoara Ice Cave is situated in the Bihor Mountains, at 1200 m altitude, and shelter a glacier with a volume varying between 40000 and 55000 m3. It is said to be one of the largest ice caves in the world. An ice cave is a cave which contains ice, not a cave formed in ice. Those are called glacier caves.

The entrance is a 48 m deep and 60 m wide shaft. A stair of steep iron steps spiralles around the shaft until it reaches the bottom. The hall at the ground is filled with ice all year round. The reason for this situation is the height and the special shape of the cave. The cave stores the low temperature, as the cold air is heavier than the warm air outside.

This first chamber is already filled with ice. But the most impressive ice structures, the spectacular six meters high ice stalagmites, are found in the second chamber of the cave. The cave is very cold, so it is essential to use warm clothes and good shoes. The paths across the ice are very difficult to go.
Peter