Wimsener Höhle, Show cave in Hayingen, Germany
The Wimsener Höhle is a water-filled cave within limestone formations of the Swabian Alb, extending over 700 meters into the earth. Visitors travel by small boat about 70 meters into the illuminated underwater passage, following the underground river that flows through the system.
The cave became known in the early 1800s when Duke Friedrich II visited it in 1803 and lent it his name. This royal visit and the subsequent development as a tourist site made it one of Germany's earliest examples of cave tourism.
The cave's name comes from the nearby Wimsen spring that feeds the underground water flow. Visitors can observe how clear water moves through narrow rock passages, shaping the character of the entire space.
Visit outside the hottest summer months when the cool water feels most refreshing. The boat ride is easy to access, though solid footwear and careful movement are needed since walkways are wet and slippery.
This is Germany's only boat journey through a cave where visitors ride directly on underground water rather than walking along shore paths. The constant cool temperature around 7 to 8 degrees Celsius shows how stable conditions remain deep underground year-round.
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