Wen Valley, Dry valley in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Wen Valley is a dry valley northwest of Steinheim am Albuch, running about ten kilometres from near Bartholomä south-southeast to the Steinheim Basin. Its floor is bare, pale brown earth and sparse grass between rising slopes; a low wall of grey and brown stone runs along the left slope, while a tall grey rock face with dark streaks and a deep recess at its base rises on the right. Free-standing dolomite rocks carry names such as Nilpferd, Sphinx, Spitzbubenstadel, Wentalweible and Hirschfelsen.
The dry valley formed when the karst water table dropped, leaving the valley floor without a stream. In 2008 it was designated a nature reserve, and since June 2009 cross golf, parkour and bouldering have been banned as compensation for the Essingen wind farm.
The free-standing dolomite rocks carry local names such as Nilpferd (hippopotamus), Sphinx, Spitzbubenstadel, Wentalweible and Hirschfelsen, given for their shapes. Since June 2009 signs in the valley state that cross golf, parkour and bouldering are prohibited, a compensation measure for the Essingen wind farm.
The valley is best explored on foot, with marked walking paths providing access to the various limestone formations. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the paths cross uneven ground, and modern sports activities like climbing are not permitted.
The named dolomite rocks include the Wentalweible, the Spitzbubenstadel and the Hirschfelsen, alongside the Sphinx and the Hippopotamus. Since 2023 the valley and its block field have been designated a geotope and geopoint of the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb.
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