Best caves around Karres offer a glimpse into the region's geological and historical past. The area features natural formations like the Rosengarten Gorge and the Tschirgant mountain slope, alongside historical mining sites. These sites include natural caves, old mine tunnels, and unique ice cellars, providing diverse exploration opportunities. The region's conservation areas, such as Achstürze-Piburger See, protect these natural and historical landmarks.
Last updated: July 9, 2026
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The special thing about the Blue Grotto is the story of its creation: 2000 years ago, in Roman times, people were working diligently here and searching for silver-containing galena. The geologist Peter Gstrein suspects that the fire-setting method was already being used for mining in the first centuries after the birth of Christ; The rock's rock became brittle due to the heating and could therefore be chipped away more easily. This is how the Blue Grotto was created, which is probably unique in Tyrol. The blue grotto is located at the end of the Rosengartenschlucht just before the hiking trail arrives in Hoch-Imst. In the opposite direction from Hoch-Imst, the Blue Grotto can be reached in less than 10 minutes. Imst.at
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On the way to the Karröster Alm, you will pass small caves on the wooded mountain slope of the Tschirgant. Don't forget the flashlight!
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A little above the gorge - almost a bit hidden. Duck your head!
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A cool little cave, with a partially low ceiling, which can only be passed through in the duck alley.
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One of the most precious biotopes in Tyrol can be visited on the edge of Imst town center: the Rosengarten gorges. The Schinderbach excavates the mystical blue cave through the rocky ridges of the low mountain terraces Imster over a length of about 1.5 kilometers. The wooden paths, the rocky stairs and the small rocky tunnels always offer a new glimpse of the wonder that nature has accomplished in the Rosengarten gorges. The entrance to the gorge is also impressive, the houses were partly built in the rocks. The gorge is accessible from May to October, good shoes are necessary for the walk.
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The Blue Grotto at the end of the Rosengarten Gorge, which goes back to Roman times is easily accessible for the whole family via the rocky, wild and romantic rose garden gorge. The special thing about the Blue Grotto is the history of its creation: Already 2000 years ago in Roman times people worked hard and searched for silver-containing galena. The geologist Peter Gstrein suspects that the fire-setting method was used as early as the first centuries after the birth of Christ; the stone of the rock became brittle as a result of the heating and could thus be chipped off more easily. This is how the Blue Grotto was created, which is probably unique of its kind in Tyrol. The way to the Blue Grotto is adventurous and wildly romantic; it leads directly through one of the most valuable biotopes in Tyrol, the Rosengartenschlucht. With hammer and chisel, the miners drove tunnels into the stone and created a man-high corridor that measures 35 meters. If you consider that around one centimeter of rock could be removed in one day, you can work out how long it took the miners to achieve such a length: a good three years. It was not until 1670, at the beginning of modern times, that blasting became common. You can find out more about the exact history of Imst Gorge every Monday with a free guided tour starting in Imst. Children's backpack carriers can be borrowed free of charge from the information offices in the Imst holiday region. https://www.tiscover.com/at/guide/5,de/objectId,SIG735680at/intern.html
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A nice way to the grotto of Imst through the rose garden canyon. On an information board you learn how this grotto was created.
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But you do not have to .... my kids today have the mini waterfall of the cave ceiling as a small refreshment (it was 30 degrees) used :-)))
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The Karres region offers a diverse range of subterranean experiences, including natural caves, historical mine tunnels, and unique ice cellars. You can find formations like the Blue Grotto in Rosengarten Gorge, which was formed by ancient mining, and the Ice Cellar in the Achstürze-Piburger See Conservation Area, a natural monument known for its year-round cold temperatures.
Yes, the area has a rich mining history. The Blue Grotto in Rosengarten Gorge is a notable example, created by Roman-era silver mining. You can also explore the Old Mine Tunnel, which offers a glimpse into the region's industrial past.
The Blue Grotto in Rosengarten Gorge is considered family-friendly and exciting for children, offering an accessible way to learn about its unique formation from ancient mining activities.
The Ice Cellar in the Achstürze-Piburger See Conservation Area is a natural monument known for maintaining cold temperatures even in summer, effectively acting as a natural refrigerator. Visitors often find its consistently cool environment very pleasant, especially on hot days.
When exploring the Tschirgant Caves, which are small caves found on the wooded mountain slope of the Tschirgant, it's recommended to bring a flashlight to help navigate the darker sections.
The Karres region offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous mountain hikes, such as the 'View of Imst – Tschirgant Summit loop from Karrösten', or explore gravel biking routes like the 'Imst - Mötz circular route around Tschirgant'. For more options, check out the Mountain Hikes around Karres guide or the Gravel biking around Karres guide.
Yes, there are several running trails in the vicinity. For example, you can find routes like the 'Inn Cycle Path – Schlierenzau Suspension Bridge loop from Roppen' or the 'View of the Church of Ötzerau – Kundlweg Sautens Forest Trail loop from Roppen'. More details are available in the Running Trails around Karres guide.
The caves around Karres showcase a mix of natural geological formations and human-influenced features. The Rosengarten Gorge, where the Blue Grotto is located, is a significant natural landmark. The Ice Cellar is a natural monument, highlighting unique thermal properties.
Visitors appreciate the diverse exploration opportunities, from ancient mining sites to natural geological formations. The historical context of sites like the Blue Grotto and the unique natural phenomenon of the Ice Cellar are frequently highlighted. The komoot community has shared over 200 photos and given more than 470 upvotes to these cave highlights.
Yes, the Achstürze-Piburger See Conservation Area protects natural and historical landmarks, including the Ice Cellar, ensuring the preservation of these unique sites.
Most of the listed caves, such as the Blue Grotto, Old Mine Tunnel, Ice Cellar, and Tschirgant Caves, are generally categorized as intermediate in difficulty, suggesting they are accessible to most visitors but may involve some uneven terrain or require basic preparedness like a flashlight.


Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around Karres: