Hardtstollen, Mining tunnel entrance at Hardtberg, Wuppertal, Germany
Hardtstollen is a mining tunnel at Hardberg in Wuppertal that extends roughly 250 meters into the mountain beneath the Bismarck Tower. The rock cover protects the site with a depth of about 80 meters at the summit.
Construction of the tunnel started in the 1960s as part of a planned energy storage project designed to manage peak power demand in Wuppertal. The project was later abandoned, yet left behind this underground structure.
The tunnel connects to the cave system below and reveals the geological features of Hardberg that continue to draw people curious about the hidden natural world beneath the city.
The site is maintained by a local group and open for guided tours on specific days, mainly during an annual geological event in September. It is wise to check beforehand about access and opening times.
Inside sits a large underground chamber called Hardtkaverne, reinforced with steel beams and corrugated sheets. This cavity shows the engineering skill required to build such a structure deep below ground.
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