Rinquelle, Karst spring and waterfall in Amden, Switzerland

Rinquelle is a karst spring in Amden that cascades as a waterfall over limestone rock formations. The water flows downward in stages, creating a natural spectacle within the surrounding mountain landscape.

The cave entrance was first entered by researchers in 1953, and the first dive took place in 1959; a further dive in 1963 ended in a fatal accident. From 1969 the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rinquellenforschung pushed past the entrance to dive distances of up to 450 m. In 1972 the German diver Jochen Hasenmayer joined and, a year later, surfaced after a 930 m dive in a side passage, making Rinquelle the longest known underwater cave of its time. The main research period ended in 1981.

The cave behind the spring has drawn cave divers since the first descent in 1959; a fatal accident occurred during another dive in 1963. From 1969 the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rinquellenforschung explored the entrance zone, and in 1972 the German diver Jochen Hasenmayer joined. A year later he surfaced after 930 m, making Rinquelle the longest known underwater cave of its time.

The location is reachable via marked hiking trails from Amden village, with viewing platforms offering safe observation spots. Wear sturdy footwear and watch for slippery surfaces near the water.

The cave behind the spring has a surveyed length of 1,920 m, more than 1,800 m of it underwater, with a height difference of 33 m. In 1973 German diver Jochen Hasenmayer surfaced after a 930 m dive, making Rinquelle the longest known underwater cave of its time.