Nebelhöhle and Bärenhöhle Caves, Swabian Alb
The parish of Sonnenbühl is known particularly for its subterranean beauty. The Nebelhöhle and the Bärenhöhle caves, and the Karlshöhle which connects with them, are limestone caves with some very lovely stalagmites and stalactites. They provide a clear illustration of the Swabian Alb's underlying structure – karst formed from limestone and make the UNESCO Geopark Swabian Alb a real experience.
The Karlshöhle cave was discovered back in 1834, but the Bärenhöhle remained unknown until 1949. The name of the Bärenhöhle is owed to the many cave bear skeletons found within it. Numerous skulls and bones and a reconstructed bear skeleton can be seen in the cave. The Bärenhöhle cave lies close to Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen and is formed of white Jura limestone. Visitors can enter to a distance of 250 metres. The stalactites and layer formations are impressive, as is the variety of finds made in the cave, with objects from the Pleistocene period, over 1.5 million years ago, to the early modern period of the 17th century. The temperature in the cave remains constant throughout the year at 8–10° C.
The Nebelhöhle cave is also white Jura limestone and is situated near to Sonnenbühl-Genkingen. It can be accessed to a depth of 450 metres. The temperature remains constant throughout the year at 8–10° C. The Nebelhöhle cave is not only one of the longest and most beautiful caves in the Swabian Alb, but also has one of the longest histories of being visited. As early as 1596, the Tübingen historian Martin Crusius wrote that "people often entered it with lights and could find no end." In 1715 the first detailed description of the cave appeared in print. The reason given was that individuals and small groups were visiting the cave almost every day. So we can see that cave tourism has a long history here.
Bärenhöhle
Gewann Bärenhöhle
72820 Sonnenbühl (Erpfingen)
Tel.: 07128 635
Nebelhöhle
Gewann Nebelhöhle
72820 Sonnenbühl (Genkingen)
Tel.: 07128 605