Seefeldhöhle

Tropfloch


Useful Information

Location: Seefeld.
Marked trail from Habkern across the Chromatte and the Mittleres Seefeld. Another trail from Grünenbergpaß.
(46.757309, 7.833917)
Open: No restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave SpeleothemMoonmilk, Rockmilk
Light: bring torch
Dimension: L=2,000 m, VR=34 m, A=1,795 m asl.
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
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History

2016 cave resurveyed.

Description

The Seefeldhöhle is named after the plateau where it is located, which is called Seefeld. The cave is also called Tropfloch (dripping hole) obviously a reminiscence on many dripstones, which are unfortunately almost completely destroyed. This limestone ridge north of the Thunersee (Thun Lake) is famous for the Siebenhengste cave system, which is one of the largest cave systems of Switzerland and Europe. The karst area is known as Hohgant-Siebenhengste.

The Seefeldhöhle is located inside a 200 m thick layer of eocene sandstone. The sandstone has three layers, the upper and lower layer are sand cemented by calcite, which is soluble by water. The middle layer is cemented by quartz which is not soluble, and even impermeable. As a result the areas where the middle layer reaches the surface are swamps, the water is dammed by the rocks and drains on the surface. The Wagenmoos is such an area, Moos is a term referring to moss, which generally needs a lot of water and prefers swampy areas.

The Seefeldhöhle is located in the lower layer, which is about 20 m thick. As the cave is restricted to this rock layer it is almost horizontal and has only one level. So it is actually karst cave in a sandstone, which is rather rare. The layer dips to the south, so does the cave. The cave system has numerous passages running more or less north to south connected by short east west passages. The passages are between 1.2 m and 2.1 m high, so while you can walk upright most of the time, it also requires some stooping and harmless crawling.

The cave is known for Mondmilch (moonmilk, rockmilk) which is a sort of dripstone, a calcit deposition, but unlike flowstone its soft and porous. The name "milk" is easy to explain with a soft white substance. In Switzerland the name is explained as being derived from Mandlimilch. A mandli is a small man or dwarf, a sort of legendary people named Erdmannli. It was thought to have healing properties and was mined as a remedy for heartburn and breast milk deficiency.

The cave was actually one of the first caves in Switzerland which was surveyed, there exists a historic cave map. Three members of the Berner Höhlenverein resurveyed the cave as a aprticipation to the Schweizer Jugend forscht program, a school science program which awards outstanding research work by school children of all ages. They drew a map and the total length of the cave was determined to be 941 m. After some more research and new discoveries, but also after some flaws in the old map were found, the cave was resurveyed in 2016. With the new discoveries the new length is more than 2 km and a vertical range of 34 m.

All other cave systems in the area are located in the Schrattenkalk, which is above the Sandstone. Because of a massive thrust the sandstone lies on the surface in the northern part of the plateau, while the lower southern part has the much younger Schrattenkalk on the surface. The uplift was quite different in the two parts. In this limestone quite huge cave systems formed with vertical shafts, very dangerous and closed to the public. The caves in the different levels are not connected to the huge Siebenhengste system in the Schrattenkalk, because they are separated by insoluble layers and the thrust zone.

While this cave is very easy to visit and does not require vertical gear, it is unfortunately very much frequented. That's because it is the only cave in the area which is accessible except the Beatushöhle show cave. If you want to visit the cave bring sufficient equipment like sturdy boots, clothes to change, helmet, headlamp and other light sources. Never cave alone and tell someone at which time you plan to be back. A cave map can be found on the web.