Erdbachhöhle, Cave entrance in Breitscheid, Germany.
The Erdbachhöhle is a karst cave with roughly two kilometers of passages containing stalactites and stalagmites formed by mineral-rich water dripping through limestone. The system descends several dozen meters and has interconnected chambers and tunnels throughout.
The cave became known in 1965 when a stream sink collapsed, triggering initial exploration efforts. Within two years, explorers had reached depths of about 100 meters underground.
Schools bring students here to learn about limestone formations and how water moves through the rock below ground. For people in the area, visiting this cave is a way to understand the geology that shapes their landscape.
The descent into the cave requires about 124 steps, so sturdy footwear is important for safe footing. Bring a light jacket since it stays cool and damp inside year-round.
An underground stream flows through the cave and takes between roughly one and one and a half days to emerge at a spring near the village of Erdbach. This hidden water system shows how rainfall travels kilometers beneath the surface.
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