Unicorn Cave (Austria)

The Unicorn Cave (German: Einhornhöhle) in Austria is situated in the Hohe Wand Nature Park near Dreistetten in Lower Austria and may be reached on signposted hiking trails in ca. 20 minutes from Dreistetten aus (typical signpost illustrated). The cave was discovered in 1927 by Otto Langer senior and opened as a show cave in 1930. In 1964 the structures built by Otto Langer junior were modernised. Guided tours that take about 20 minutes are laid on from Easter to the end of September on Sundays and public holidays.

For the cave of the same name in Germany, see Unicorn Cave.
Unicorn Cave
German: Einhornhöhle
Cave entrance
LocationHohe Wand Nature Park, Lower Austria
Coordinates47°51′27″N 16°05′23″E
Length80 metres (260 ft)
Height variation5m (+2m, -3m)
Elevation585 metres above sea level
Discovery1927
GeologyWand limestone (Triassic)
Show cave opened1930
Lightingcarbide lamps
Land Registry number1863/5
Websitewww.einhornhoehle.at

Overview

The guided tour leads first along an artificially-created gallery into the cave. Its natural entrance is located above the current man-made entrance and is visible from the present-day pathway. A hut has been built in front of the artificial gallery through which the gallery entrance is accessed. Inside the cave the tour leads initially down a side tunnel and then along the main corridor to the first squeeze. In the hall in front of this constriction, the largest dripstones of the guided tour are to be found - stalagmites about 1 metre high (see illustration). From the fork in the two passageways to this hall the tour follows a passage in which a calc-sinter curtain and several stalactites can be seen hanging from the roof. In a niche to the side with a statue of St. Barbara there is also Perlsinter. Numerous animal bones were found in the cave (for example of a cave bear), several exhibits are displayed in the cave itself or are visible in the layers of rock (for example individual teeth or bones).

  • Signpost en route to the cave
  • Stalactites
  • Stalagmites in the Zwergenreich
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