Karstkundlicher Wanderweg Laichingen

Karst Trail Laichingen


Useful Information

Location: Near Laichingen, starts at the Laichinger Tiefenhöhle. A8 exit Merklingen, pass Merklingen and Machtolsheim, 7 km to Laichingen. Use second exit to Laichingen, turn right at the start of the city limits.
A8 exit Behelfsausfahrt, to Hohenstadt then to Laichingen, 7 km. From city center follow signs to the cave or direction Suppingen, turn left.
1 km SE Laichingen.
Open:  
Fee:  
Classification: KarstKarst Trail
Light: n/a
Dimension:  
Guided tours: L=11 km.
Photography:  
Accessibility:  
Bibliography:  
Address: Höhlen- und Heimatverein Laichingen e.V., Höhleweg 220, 89146 Laichingen, Tel: +49-7333-5586. E-mail: contact
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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Description

Several trails are starting at the parking lot of the ShowcaveLaichinger Tiefenhöhle (Laichingen Vertical Cave). One of them is a karst center walk, which is 11 km long and shows dry valleys, dolines, and the typical Hüle. Hüle is the local term for a lake with no rivers flowing in or out. They are formed by melting water and rain water, and are the result of a depression with water resistant content in a karst area. The water is flowing into the underground, except where some water resistant material exists. They were of great imprtance for the first settlements in this area, as they were the only source of water,

The first stop is the Feldhüle which a twin doline. One of the dolines was artificially converted into a small lake by adding clay. The other one is still open and works as a swallow hole for excess water. It was probably used as a water source for cattle.

The second stop is a cave ruin called Hohler Stein (Hollow Stone), which a place of many legends. A cave ceiling collapsed and opened the cave to the surface, the entrance leading down into the cave is a cold trap and so this cave is colder than other caves and the water freezes in winter. In summer the ice melts, but the cave is still much colder than others. The freezing has enlarged the cave and will finally destroy it.

The next stop is the Hagsbuchhüle on top of the hill. Here it is not clear if this is a natural Hüle or artificially made. It is definitely a doline with clay but it was also definitely repaired by farmes with fresh clay to make sure it stays water filled.

When we reach the foot of the hill we can see numerous steep dolines, which are collapse dolines caused by the collapse of a cave system right below the surface. A small part of this system was discovered and explored in the area of the parking lot of the L230. It was very dangerous because the cave is close to the surface and the danger of rockfall or collapse is high.