Steinerne Rinne bei Erasbach


Useful Information

Location: Erasbach.
(49.134675, 11.418488)
Open: no restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: KarstTufa Runnel
Light: n/a
Dimension: L=88 m, H=0.77 m.
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography: A. Baier (2002): Die "Steinerne Rinne" am Berg südlich Erasbach/Opf. -- eine Untersuchung zur Hydrogeologie und -chemie des Seichten Karstes Geol. Bl. NO-Bayern 52, 1-4: 139-194, 17 Abb., 2 Tab., 3 Taf., Erlangen (2002). online
Address: Tourismusbüro Berching, Anikó Kerl, Pettenkoferplatz 12, 92334 Berching, Tel: +49-8462-205-13, Fax: +49-8462-205-44. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

The Steinerne Rinne near Erasbach is one of various tufa runnels, and actually has no name. They are all called Steinerne Rinne (Tufa Runnel) and are distinguished by the appended name of the nearest village, in this case Erasbach. The small village is located on the right side of the Altmühl valley, north of Berching. From the town limits, you reach the Steinerne Rinne after a 1 km hike. You can also drive to the edge of the forest on the road "Am Erlenbach", but there is no car park.

The Steinerne Rinnen are all very different. This one is very recognisable, it forms a conspicuous elevation. However, it is not narrow and high like others, it is actually as wide as it is high, about 75 cm. The channel at the highest point is very small, there is also little water flowing through it. Yet, at 88 m, it is the longest channel in Franconia.

Between Erasbach and Berching, on the Dogger-Malm border, there are many strongly pouring karst springs. This is called shallow karst because the water accumulates on the Dogger and forms a so-called floating groundwater body. The water therefore flows to the surface wherever the layer boundary is cut by the slope.