Cave Trail (Excursion #14)

2: 34 pm
8,44 km
242 m
244 m
139 m
263 m
124 m
Start: Bahnhofstraße, 51766 Engelskirchen
Destination: Bahnhofstraße, 51766 Engelskirchen

Cave Trail - A journey through the world of caves

Not only for the Bergisches Land region was 2019 a discovery of the century: For 20 years, researchers had searched for an entrance to the cave they suspected lay hidden in the Mühlenberg near Ründeroth. Then they found a way into the "Windloch" (Wind Hole) and discovered an incredible subterranean realm of extraordinary crystals, limestone formations, and impressive cavities – of unimaginable dimensions and never before entered by a human being. After the surveys of the first few months, it was clear: At more than 8.000 meters, the Windloch is the largest cave in North Rhine-Westphalia and even ranks among the top 10 in Germany.

Ten information panels along the 8,4 kilometer long path offer you lots of information about the work of the cave explorers, you will see disappearing streams and karst springs and can finally visit the Aggertal cave on a guided tour.

The trail has a total of 10 information panels and 2 audio stations. We would like to thank Dietmar Birkhahn, who maintains the trail as a volunteer trail steward.

Cave Trail marker

Path surfaces

Street (10%)

Way (70%)

Path (20%)

Best Season

suitable

depending on the weather

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
Mai
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
October
Nov
Dec

Directions

The "Cave Trail" is a circular hiking route that runs mostly along paths and forest and farm tracks. From Ründeroth train station, the trail leads through the spa gardens to the Agger River and then along a pleasant path beside the river, up to Stiefelhagen. A path through a former quarry continues up to the Haldy Tower, which offers a wonderful view of the Agger Valley and the Mühlenberg hill. The trail then descends along paths and farm tracks to the Walbach stream, which babbles gently here before disappearing into a sinkhole in the Mühlenberg. Climbing up to the Mühlenberg and passing the entrance to the Windloch cave, the trail finally reaches the aforementioned disappearing stream and, a few meters further on, the Agger Valley Cave, which can be visited during opening hours. The "Cave Trail" then leads back to the Agger River on wide forest paths and along its banks back to the train station.

Tour features