Wendelsteinhöhle, Show cave in Brannenburg, Germany.
Wendelsteinhöhle is a karst cave in Wetterstein limestone on the Wendelstein in Brannenburg, Bavaria. Its entrance lies at 1,711 metres above sea level beside the Wendelstein rack railway station, making it Germany's highest show cave. Of the 523 metres of total passage, 170 metres are walked on tours; the zigzagging galleries end at the Dom, and the rear section holds a mean annual temperature of 3 °C.
A resident of Bayrischzell discovered the cave in 1864, and the first professional survey took place in autumn 1882. It opened to visitors in 1921 with electric lighting. After World War II the paths, walkways and lighting were renewed, and in 1962 a separate access tunnel was added to avoid rockfall. A full renovation in 2010, part of the EU-funded "inntaler Unterwelten" project, replaced the lighting with LEDs.
The cave is registered as geotope 187H001 and lies beside the Wendelstein rack railway's mountain station. Since 2010 it has formed part of the EU-funded "inntaler Unterwelten" network of four cave sites, and four info displays inside cover psychology, biology, geology and philosophy. Visitors can walk through it without a guide.
You should wear warm clothing since the temperature inside stays around 3 degrees Celsius all year long. The path goes through narrow passages with natural and artificial light, so sturdy footwear and caution when stepping are recommended.
The cave is registered as geotope number 187H001. Since 2010 it has been part of the EU-funded "inntaler Unterwelten" network of four cave sites, and four info displays inside cover psychology, biology, geology and philosophy. Visitors can walk through it without a guide.
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