This timeline takes you back to the dawn of humanity through the World Heritage Site with its Ice Age art caves in the Swabian Alb. The discovery of a thigh bone fragment proves that humans were already living here in the Lone Valley 50,000-70,000 years ago. Stroll leisurely through the Lone Valley, past the Hohlenstein caves (where the Lion Man was found) to the Bockstein cave. The finds from the Bockstein cave are among the most important evidence of Neanderthals in southern Germany. At the top of the Bockstein smithy is a hut with a magnificent view, inviting you to take a break.
Autorentipp
Excursion to the Achtal valley with more World Heritage caves.
Wegbeschreibung
The Neanderthal Trail, certified as a “dream tour” by the German Hiking Association since January 2022, starts at the Lonetal hiking car park, located on the L1168. There, a mammoth steel figure welcomes visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Caves and Ice Age Art of the Swabian Alb.” We follow the green signposts of the Neanderthal Trail and follow the Neanderthal trail markers and yellow rings to the Hohlenstein Caves, the Bear Cave, and the Hohlenstein Barn. The cave complex is one of the most important Stone Age sites in the world. Along the way, we encounter wooden animal figures and even the lion man at a playground. They are part of the “Ice Age Traces” adventure trails. After the cave, we walk a short distance along a gravel forest path and then turn right onto a path that leads uphill through the forest towards the Bockstein Cave. On the way, we pass sequoia trees and a forest trampoline that produces musical sounds on the forest nature trail. We reach the Bockstein Cave from above. At the hut, we have a beautiful view over the wider Lone Valley. Followed by the gaze of the Ice Age hyena, we follow the narrow path down to the caves – Bocksteinschmiede and Bocksteinhöhle. Extreme caution is advised here due to the risk of falling rocks and slipping. Once we reach the foot of the cave, we turn left along the edge of the forest and then take another forest path uphill. The green signposts and the yellow ring, as well as the Neanderthal symbol, which is often the victim of souvenir hunters, show the way through the forest. When we reach the edge of the forest, we can already see Lindenau to our right. If you like, you can take the paved path toward Lindenau to stop for refreshments. If you stay on the trail, continue left on the forest path. This will take us to another connecting path to Lindenau. However, the Neanderthal Trail leads along the edge of the forest and sometimes through the forest toward Stetten ob Lontal. There is another wooden figure along the way. Coming out of the forest, we see Stetten ob Lontal ahead of us. We walk along a sometimes muddy meadow path towards the village and then turn left towards the forest at the paddock with the signpost. Once there, we turn right and cross the Landesstraße 1168 to reach the Archäopark car park. From there, the cycle and footpath leads back to the Bissingen car park, past the former Vogelherd Archaeological Park, our starting point.
Ausrüstung
Sicherheitshinweise
Enter the caves at your own risk. Slippery conditions when wet.
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.
