Hönnetal, Nature reserve in Balve, Germany.

Hönnetal is a nature reserve along the Hönne River in Balve, covering about 144 hectares of limestone cliffs, mixed forest and several caves. The river has cut a gorge through Devonian limestone, and the valley sides hold rock faces and cave entrances visible from the marked paths.

The protected area was established by the German government in 1979 to preserve its valuable habitats and geological formations. In 2015, additional conservation measures were formally implemented through legal procedures to ensure long-term protection of the site.

The Hönne valley's caves, including the Balver Höhle, shelter hibernating bats such as Bechstein's bat and the greater mouse-eared bat. The Balver Höhle itself is used for theatre and concerts, so the reserve combines wildlife protection with a long tradition of cave performances in the town of Balve.

The valley is suitable for walking, but visitors should be aware of access restrictions, particularly that caves and rock formations are off-limits to protect fragile ecosystems. Those who want to explore the landscape should stick to marked trails and respect the natural environment.

The Hönne has cut roughly 80 metres into Devonian limestone, and the valley walls expose fossil-bearing layers of the Massenkalk reef. The Balver Höhle and Reckenhöhle open in these rocks; the Reckenhöhle has been shown to visitors since 1926, when its stalactites were opened up for tours.