Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams
From Salzburg’s trick fountains up the Salzach to the world’s largest ice cave, a fortress, a deep gorge, the lake at Zell am See and high reservoirs below the glaciers.
- Distance
- 148 km (92 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 02 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Austria
- Updated
- July 27, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 148 km (92 mi) with 8 stops, from Salzburg to Kaprun. About 2 h 02 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Austria · More road trips from Zell am See
Route description
Start at Hellbrunn Palace on Salzburg’s southern edge, where the archbishops’ trick fountains still catch visitors out. Then drive 40 km south to Werfen. The A10 Tauern motorway needs a vignette; the B159 through the Salzach valley is toll-free and not much slower. In Werfen, the Eisriesenwelt road climbs to a car park, and from there a walk, a cable car and another walk lead to the cave mouth.
The tour of the Eisriesenwelt covers 1 km of ice halls and about 700 steps, with the temperature near freezing, so pack warm clothes and good shoes. Allow three hours in total, and more in July and August queues. Below, Hohenwerfen Castle has falconry shows in season. Continue south about 20 km to St. Johann im Pongau for the Liechtensteinklamm, a gorge with walkways over the rushing water.
From St. Johann follow the B311 west through the valley to Zell am See, about 50 km. The town sits on a lake below the Schmittenhöhe, with a lakeside promenade, lidos and boats. A short drive south leads to Kaprun. Cars can go only as far as the Kesselfall car park; buses and the Lärchwand inclined lift take you up to the Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden reservoirs, the upper one at about 2,040 m.
The high reservoir road is open from roughly late May or June to October, and the dams can be walked. The Sigmund Thun gorge near Kaprun makes a short extra stop. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road begins at Fusch, 15 km away, if you want to extend the trip. Summer is best for all of it: the gorges and ice cave are closed in winter.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Salzburg
Austria - 27 km
Hellbrunn Palace and trick fountains
OdditiesSalzburg, AustriaA 17th-century pleasure palace on the south edge of Salzburg, famous for its trick fountains that soak visitors on guided tours. Open April to early November; parking at the palace.
- 338 km
Eisriesenwelt
NatureWerfen, AustriaUsually described as the largest ice cave in the world, high above Werfen, with ice formations seen by carbide lamp on the guided tour. Open May to late October; allow three hours including the walks, cable car and 700 steps up, and bring warm clothes.
- 43 km
Hohenwerfen Castle
HistoryWerfen, AustriaA medieval fortress on a rock above the Salzach valley, with daily falconry displays in season. A lift runs up from the car park, or you can walk up in 20 minutes.
- 524 km
Liechtensteinklamm
NatureSt. Johann im Pongau, AustriaOne of the deepest gorges in the Alps, explored on walkways above the water, with a newer spiral staircase at the far end. Open roughly May to October; paid entry and parking at the entrance south of St. Johann.
- 637 km
Zell am See
Austria - 724 km
Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs
ViewsKaprun, AustriaTwo turquoise reservoirs below the glaciers, the Wasserfallboden and, higher up at about 2,040 m, the Mooserboden with its two dams. Cars stop at the Kesselfall car park; buses and an open inclined lift take you up, roughly late May to October.
- 816 km
Kaprun
Austria
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Salzburg → Eisriesenwelt · 45 km · 0 h 37 minOn the way: Hellbrunn Palace and trick fountains.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Martina (11 km); Landhaus Camping Kastenhof (18 km).
- Day 2: Eisriesenwelt → Liechtensteinklamm · 27 km · 0 h 22 minOn the way: Hohenwerfen Castle.Overnight nearby, for example: Landhaus Camping Kastenhof (3 km); Camping Biohof Unteregg (12 km).
- Day 3: Liechtensteinklamm → Zell am See · 37 km · 0 h 31 minOvernight nearby, for example: Panorama Camp (3 km); Sportcamp Woferlgut (5 km).
- Day 4: Zell am See → Kaprun · 39 km · 0 h 33 minOn the way: Kaprun High Mountain Reservoirs.Overnight nearby, for example: Sportcamp Woferlgut (4 km); Panorama Camp (5 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in December–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open May–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße (2,504 m). Usually open May–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: The Felbertauern tunnel is open all year.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams?
4-day road trip of about 148 km (92 mi) with 8 stops, from Salzburg to Kaprun. About 2 h 02 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 02 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams start and end?
It starts in Salzburg and ends in Kaprun.
Which countries does Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams pass through?
Austria.
Where can you camp along Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams?
OpenStreetMap lists 58 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Nord-Sam, Reisemobilstellplatz Salzburg and Camping Seekirchen.
When is the best time for Salzach valley: ice caves, gorges and Kaprun’s dams?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
