Karlshöhle and Bärenhöhle, Cave entrance and prehistoric site in Sonnenbühl, Germany
Karlshöhle and Bärenhöhle are two connected caves in Sonnenbühl that wind through limestone formations from the White Jurassic period. The system displays natural rock shapes and contains bones and artifacts from the Ice Age.
The first cave was found in 1834 when a schoolmaster came upon it while gathering herbs, while the second was discovered in 1949 when someone followed a bat into a hidden opening. Both caves were later connected and opened to visitors.
The caves hold the remains of animals that roamed the area thousands of years ago, helping visitors understand what life was like in this region during prehistoric times. These discoveries connect people to the deep past of the landscape around them.
The caves are open for tours from March through October, with guides speaking German and printed explanations in English. Wear warm layers and sturdy shoes since the passages are cool and the ground is uneven.
These caves are part of a network of 26 information sites across the Swabian Jura that explain the geological story of the region. This connection shows how the caves fit into a larger understanding of how the landscape was formed.
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