Steinerne Rinne bei Wolfsbronn, Protected tufa channel in Wolfsbronn, Germany

The Steinerne Rinne near Wolfsbronn is a natural limestone tufa channel located in the municipality of Meinheim in Middle Franconia, Germany. It was formed by calcium-rich spring water that slowly deposited mineral layers over time, building up a raised rocky streambed.

The site was designated a nature reserve in 1964, and the Bavarian Environment Agency later listed it as geotope 577R002. In the 20th century, excessive tourist maintenance largely walled up the channel with stone; a forest path now cuts through its middle section, and the lower course was probably diverted. These interventions are why the geotope is considered destroyed and serves only tourist purposes.

The name "Steinerne Rinne" means "stone channel" in German, which describes exactly what you see when you arrive: a narrow rocky gutter still carrying water. Mosses and liverworts cover the wet surfaces along the stream, creating a soft green layer over the pale limestone.

A wooden walkway leads from the parking area on county road WUG 34 straight to the formation, making the path easy to walk even when the ground is wet. Information boards along the way explain the geology and ecology of the site, so even a short visit covers a lot.

The channel is not a fossil relic but is still actively growing, as the mineral-rich water continuously deposits new rock along its bed. This makes it one of the few places in Germany where you can watch rock formation happening in real time.