Albschäfer-Zeitspur: On the “cave walk” from Vogelherd to Charlottenhöhle
Medium
Fascinating insights into the history of the Earth are guaranteed. The Time Trail takes you back to the beginnings of human art and culture more than 35.000 years ago. The past comes alive at the Charlottenhöhle Cave Experience Center.
Tour details
Best time of year
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
Specifics of the tour
Scenic / Geological highlights / Cultural highlihts
Path condition
Tour signs
The “Cave Passage” time trail takes you back to the Stone Age and the cave world of the Swabian Alb. Mammoth hunters once roamed the Lone Valley. On this time trail, you first pass the former Vogelherd Archaeological Park and then hike up the Stettberg. After crossing the Lone, you follow a rustic path high above the Lone Valley to the Kaltenburg ruins. Then you are spoiled for choice: visit the Charlottenhöhle cave or the HöhlenSchauLand cave exhibition in the valley – or both. The HöhlenHaus also offers everything you need for a leisurely break. With a view of the small village of Lonetal, the trail leads through the forest to Stetten. In the village, it is worth making a short detour to see the Black Madonna in the parish church of Mariä Himmelfahrt.
Directions
We call the circular hiking trails on the Albschäferweg the Albschäfer-Zeitspuren (Alb Shepherd Time Trails). Green signposts and yellow rings show the way.
From the Lonetal hiking car park between Bissingen and Stetten, we take an access path across the mostly dry Lone river and past the former Vogehlherd archaeological park to the Albschäfer-Zeitspur “Höhlengang” (cave passage). We meet him and his symbol, the yellow ring, as well as the Albschäferweg trail below Stetten Castle Hill on Reitschulweg near the pump house. A narrow, natural path first takes us up to the Stettberg and then back down into the valley on the other side via the so-called Diebsteig. After crossing the district road and the Lone, we follow a rustic forest path high above the Lone Valley towards the Kaltenburg ruins. Shortly before reaching them (we recommend a detour to Kaltenburg with a view of the Lone and Hürbe valleys), we turn left onto a forest path and arrive at a hiking trail junction above the Charlottenhöhle cave. Here we leave the Albschäferweg and stay on the main hiking trail 2 (HW2), which leads us down into the valley with the red triangle symbol past the entrance to the Charlottenhöhle cave. Once at the bottom, we take the footpath back to the Lone Valley. However, we recommend a detour to the HöhlenHaus. Families with children also enjoy the adventure area and playground at the HöhlenHaus.
Once back in the Lontal valley below Kaltenburg Castle, we return along the other side of the valley. The yellow ring hiking sign and the Way of St. James show us the way. The trail climbs, offering views of the small village of Lontal. It then continues through the forest for a long time until the view of Stetten opens up. Walking along the edge of the village, we reach the village with its beautiful historic center. A short detour to the Black Madonna in the parish church of the Assumption is well worth it. Then we return to the parking lot along the familiar path.
Safety information
Please bear in mind that you will be walking on mostly natural paths. Paths in the forest may be in poor condition due to forestry work. Therefore, please wear sturdy shoes.