Wisconsin·United States
Photo: Jeff the quiet · Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Along the Apostle Islands shore of Lake Superior, waves have carved red sandstone cliffs full of caves and arches. In the coldest winters the lake freezes solid enough to walk on, and the caves fill with curtains of icicles and ice columns.
In season: Jan–Mar · Peak: Feb
A walk of several kilometres across the frozen lake from Meyers Beach, on ice that is only declared safe in some years. The caves open only when the park confirms stable ice, and conditions can change within hours.
Sandstone sea caves hung with icicles, walked across frozen lake
The outer island caves, only in the coldest winters
Check the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore ice line before travelling, as access depends on thick, stable ice. Wear ice cleats and warm layers, and go early on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Ice walkingJapan
Four days on the Sea of Okhotsk in February, walking and floating on pack ice that arrived from Siberia.
Ice walkingIceland
Sólheimajökull — the classic first crampon day on an accessible glacier tongue.
Ice walkingIceland
A crampon walk onto Europe's largest ice cap and down into its winter blue caves.
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