Cave Sightseeing Vogelherd The cave is situated 1 km northwest from Stetten ob Lonetal and 18 m above the valley floor. Two large entries and another small, narrow one lie just below the crest of the ridge. The cave is up to 7 m wide, 3,8 m high and 39 m long. Above the cave, walkers can take a rest at the tables and benches for open-air grilling Geißenklösterle Geißenklösterle cave is situated near Blaubeuren-Weiler, approx. 4 km northeast of Schelklingen and 60 m above the right bank of the Ach river valley. The important finds from the relatively small cave (width 8 m, height 3 m, length 10 m) within a semicircular array of rocks are not only of interest to the specialist. Here in 1978, the so-called "Adorant" ("worshipper") was discovered, so far the oldest piece of art in the world. (Link auf 1.5.2.1.2. Geißenklösterle) The entire cave can be viewed from outside through the iron bars. Hohlenstein The Hohlenstein lies about 2,5 km northwest of Asselfingen. This rock outcrop contains several caves: Bärenhöhle, Stadel and Kleine Scheuer. The Bärenhöhle, which was already populated during the Stone Age, was also a popular shelter for bears. The size is remarkable, with a length of 60 m, width of 6 m and height of 4 m. This was the first cave on the Swabian Alb to be excavated by archaeologists. The Stadel is the largest and most impressive of all identified caves from the Lone river valley. For scientists, these rare and abundant archaeological finds are exceedingly precious. It was here that a hybrid ivory carving from the Ice Age, the spectacular Lion-Man, was discovered in the last century. (Link auf 1.5.2.1.3. Hohlenstein-Stadel) . The Kleine Scheuer, a 10 m wide rock-shelter, is situated between the Bärenhöhle and the Stadel. Hohle Fels near Schelklingen On the right bank of the Ach between Schelklingen and Blaubeuren lies the remarkable Hohle Fels cave. A passage of 15 m in length leads to one of the largest caves of the Swabian Alb - 23 m high. After the Bärenhöhle in the Lone river valley, the Hohle Fels was the second cave excavated on the Swabian Alb. Once again, archaeologists confirmed that Ice Age animals and people lived in the same period and that caves were alternately used by both.. Artefacts from the time of the Neanderthals through modern times have been found in the Hohle Fels. Most of them derive from the Upper Palaeolithic. During recent excavations in 1998, a painted stone fragment was discovered. This sensational discovery seems to suggest that there used to be cave paintings on the Swabian Alb. The Hohle Fels near Schelklingen is currently the only cave where excavations are still in progress. Opening hours: 1st May - 31st October: Sunday 14:00 - 17:00, on Weekdays only on request. Notification: Phone 0049-(0)7394-595 (Mr. Haggenmüller), -1640 (Mr. Blumentritt), -2685 (Mr. Frey). Hohle Fels near Hütten In the upper part of the beautiful Schmiech river valley lies the hamlet of Hütten. Hohler Fels, a small cave, is visible 15 m above the valley on the southern slope, opposite Hütten. To get there, cross the railway in the village towards the southeast and proceed along the footpath about 400 m further southeast. Artefacts from the Upper Palaeolithic were discovered here a long time ago. Schmiechenfels Just like Hohler Fels near Hütten, Schmiechenfels is situated on the southern valley slope of the Schmiech river valley, about 750 m west of Schmiechen. From there, a lane leads west to the barely visible yet picturesque cave. At the first branch-off to the right, the path goes up into the forest. At the first bend, you leave the trail towards the west, round a rock face. Das Felsställe The Felsställe, a rock-shelter with a semicircular form, originally had a length of over 40 m. The recess lies about 100 m southeast of the small and sleepy village of Mühlen. The more than 400,000 stone artefacts from Felsställe far exceed the number of finds from most Stone Age sites in South West Germany. One example of Ice Age art, the depiction of a woman incised on a bone, was found in excavations here. Caves open to the public << back top