Hardly any other region in Germany is as criss-crossed by caves as Franconian Switzerland. Over a thousand have been recorded, and new ones are still being discovered today, as the water simply continues to erode the soluble rock. Most are narrow crevices for explorers with helmets and ropes, but three have been developed as tourist caves. The temperature in all of them remains at around 9 °C all year round, so you should pack a jacket even in the height of summer.
🕳 The three tourist caves
- Teufelshöhle near Pottenstein – the largest, with immense domes and massive stalagmite columns.
- Sophienhöhle in the Ailsbach Valley – the most beautiful, with snow-white formations.
- Binghöhle near Streitberg – a narrow river cave passage with delicate sinter formations.
🔦 Caves open to the public
In addition, there are numerous caves open to the public without guided tours or an entrance fee. A torch and sturdy footwear are essential.
- Rosenmüller Cave and Oswald Cave near Muggendorf, the latter with two open ends
- Ludwigshöhle – opposite the Sophienhöhle
- Riesenburg – the collapsed ruins of a cave with imposing rock gateways