Demänovská Ice Cave
Demänovská Ice Cave is the northern end of the longest cave system in Slovakia, located under the slopes of the Low Tatras. In the cave you can see many picturesque ice waterfalls, ice columns and frozen lakes shimmering in the light of artificial illumination. There are 8 species of bats underground, as well as several species of invertebrates and millipedes.
Video: Demenovsky Ice Cave
Highlights
The Demenovo Ice Cave was formed by an underground river. Its ice filling originated 400,000-500,000 years ago. People discovered the icy underground cavity in the late 13th century, but it became accessible to tourists in the 1890s. In the XVIII century here were found bones of cave bears that lived 12 thousand years ago. However, in those days people did not know about the existence of such animals and thought that under the ground lay the bones of dragons, so the dungeon was called “Dragon Caves.”
.The entrance to the cave rises 90 meters above the valley, 840 meters above sea level. The exit is nearby, 40 meters away. Demenovskaya ice cave has four floors, and the length of its passages and halls is about 2.5 km. A 650-meter-long route is open for tourists. The excursion lasts 45 minutes. The first part of the cave tour is laid through halls and corridors with calcite concretionary formations, and the second – through the icy part of the cave, which builds up from December to April, and in the warm season slightly thaws.
.Visitor Information
You should keep in mind that the temperature inside the Demenovo Ice Cave during the summer months is +0.4…+3 °C. For traveling underground, it is necessary to have warm clothes and strong sports shoes. It is forbidden to smoke and litter inside the cave. Travelers are also asked not to touch electrical equipment and not to damage calcite and ice deposits.
.The ticket costs €8 for adults, €7 for students and pensioners, and €4 for children between 5 and 15 years old. Children are allowed into the cave only if accompanied by an adult. For the opportunity to take photos and videos using a tripod you have to pay 10 €.
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How to get there
The Demänovská Ice Cave is located in the Demänovská Valley, in the territory of the Low Tatras National Park. It is located near the popular ski resort of Jasna and is 10 km away from the town of Liptovský Mikuláš. From the parking lot to the entrance to the cave, tourists reach the cave by a winding path. The climb takes about 20 minutes.
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