Sieben-Täler-Höhle

Niedernauer Höhle

Useful Information

Location:	In the Katzenbachtal between Weiler and Bad Niedernau.
Open:	15-APR to 10-NOV no restrictions. [2009]
Fee:	No restrictions. [2009]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	L=207 m, A=380 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	Hans Joachim Haupt: Mit Kindern entdecken - Wilde Höhlen der Schwäbischen Alb, Fleischhauer & Spohn, Bietigheim-Bissingen 2002, S. 38ff, ISBN 3-87230-576-X.
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History

Description

The Sieben-Täler-Höhle (Seven Valleys Cave) is located in the Katzenbach Valley between Weiler and Bad Niedernau, in a former limestone quarry. It is best reached from Weiler, south of Rottenburg. At the end of Weiler in the direction of Hirrlingen, turn right to a car park for hikers. From here, follow the path to the Ziegelhütte, then follow the valley to the right. You will find the cave after about 300 m on the right edge of the valley in an abandoned quarry. Alternatively, you can start in Bad Niedernau from the Römerquelle site at the end of Bachstraße. From here, follow the course of the valley for about 750 m in the other direction to the cave.

The Sieben-Täler-Höhle (Seven Valleys Cave) is in the immediate vicinity of the Swabian Alb, yet geologically it does not belongs to it. It is located in the lower Muschelkalk, fossil-rich limestone which was deposited about 240 million years ago. Caves are rarer here and also typically smaller than in the Jurassic limestone of the Swabian Alb. With a passage length of 215 m, the Sieben-Täler-Höhle is the largest cave in the district of Tübingen.

The cave is freely accessible in summer, but closed in winter to protect the bats. It is mostly rather small, from the entrance it is only one metre high and forces you to crawl. However, the narrow main passage with a north-western orientation becomes higher after a while and can be explored without any problems. In several places you have to crawl or climb.

This cave is neither dangerous nor difficult to navigate. Nevertheless, one should not disregard the basic rules of safety. Never enter the cave alone, let people know where you are going, take a helmet and sufficient light. Hikers in normal hiking clothes are welcome to enter the cave, but you should expect to get a little dirty.