Schlenken-Durchgangshöhle, Natural cave in Salzburg, Austria
The Schlenken-Durchgangshöhle is a limestone cave near Salzburg with multiple connected passages running through the rock. The cave system allows visitors to walk through several openings that reveal how water has shaped the interior over thousands of years.
Early humans used this cave as shelter about 40000 years ago, as evidenced by stone tools and bones discovered in the passages. These remains show that people recognized and made use of this natural shelter in very ancient times.
The cave holds scientific importance for geologists and archaeologists who study its mineral deposits and ancient artifacts to understand regional settlement patterns.
The path to the cave follows marked hiking trails and is manageable with sturdy footwear. Bring a flashlight since the interior is dark and the floor can be uneven in places.
The cave sits at about 1580 meters elevation and maintains a constant temperature year-round, making it special for studying mineral formations. These stable conditions have allowed interesting calcium deposits to develop over thousands of years and are visible as you explore.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
