Hochkarschacht, Natural karst cave in Göstling an der Ybbs, Austria.
Hochkarschacht is a natural cave system featuring approximately 650 meters of limestone passages that descend to depths of 133 meters below the mountain surface. The passages wind through the rock and reveal the geological structure carved by water movement over thousands of years.
The natural cave entrance was first discovered in 1923 by Michael Müllner, though organized exploration did not start until 1964 using rope ladders. This systematic work revealed the full extent of the underground system beneath the Hochkar mountain.
The Austrian Federal Monuments Office designated the cave as a protected natural monument in 1966 due to its scientific importance.
A guided tour lasts about 90 minutes and requires advance booking with a minimum group size of 6 people. Bring sturdy footwear and a jacket, as the passages are cool and damp year-round.
The cave entrance sits at 1,620 meters elevation within an active ski resort area. This location makes it a rare geological formation in a place usually associated with outdoor winter sports.
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