Surrounded by rocks — caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region

Tours

23:20 h

51.4 mi

5,450 ft

Germany’s Franconian Alb enchants every hiker's heart – not only with its unique landscape, but also with the fascinating world beneath the surface. There are 275 caves spread across the Nuremberg region. Some lead deep into the earth, while others have mysterious fissure passages or mystical rock chambers. There are also geological features such as stalactite-filled caves or impressive rock formations above the earth's surface that you can visit in daylight – no torch required.

In this Collection, we’ve put together seven circular Tours with fascinating caves in the Nuremberg region that’ll turn you into a cave explorer. The lengths of the individual Tours range from a leisurely 7 to a challenging 23 kilometres (4–14 mi) so there’s something for everyone. We recommend planning extra time for each Tour so you can relax and explore the caves for yourself. Warm clothing, sturdy shoes and a torch are essentials on any cave hike.

Getting to the Tours is easy if you have your own car. If you prefer to leave your car at home, you can take the train instead. We’ve included refreshment stops on the hikes, so you can enjoy classic Franconian specialities when hunger strikes.

Are you ready for a journey underground in the Nuremberg region? Then strap on your rucksack, lace up your hiking boots and pack a torch. Your caving adventure shall begin!

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Petershöhle cave loop – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Intermediate
02:12
4.66 mi
2.1 mph
675 ft
675 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
For this hike, it's best to pack a flashlight and something warm to wear. Because on this circular route you will explore the Petershöhle. Where Stone Age people once lived, you can now explore dark halls and corridors on your own. The cave is only closed between the end of September and the beginning…
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Heinrich Scheuermann Trail – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Expert
06:44
14.3 mi
2.1 mph
1,850 ft
1,875 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Anyone who undertakes this hike is a friend of challenges. The round is over 20 kilometers long and there is an unusually large amount of altitude on the program for the Nuremberg region. You will be rewarded with great views, historic buildings and impressive rocks. This circular trail is named after…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Karst hiking trail – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Intermediate
03:40
8.19 mi
2.2 mph
775 ft
775 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The karst trail around Neuhaus a.d. Pegnitz is an exceptionally beautiful hike through an impressive karst landscape to grottos and caves, stone witnesses, sacrificial stones and the largest stalactite in Germany.

The tour starts directly at the train station in Neuhaus a. i.e. Pegnitz. From there you…
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2-Täler-Rundweg – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Intermediate
02:00
4.31 mi
2.1 mph
600 ft
600 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On this tour, you will experience the wildly romantic Anka Valley over a good seven kilometers and discover the Andreaskirche, a natural grotto that is hidden in the middle of the forest.

You start your tour in the tranquil town of Velden. You leave it quickly to the west and reach the Kipfental. It goes…
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Circuit near Velden – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Intermediate
03:51
8.43 mi
2.2 mph
1,000 ft
1,025 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Your round tour starts in the tranquil town of Velden and takes you along almost 14 kilometers of fascinating karst caves in the Franconian Jura. Bringing flashlights is recommended.

At the beginning you will already overcome a few meters of altitude on the War Memorial Trail, but the way up will be rewarded…
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Gustav-Adolf-Höhle – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Intermediate
02:41
6.39 mi
2.4 mph
250 ft
250 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Opposites attract on this approximately ten-kilometer tour. Because in the first part of the tour you will be guided along the quiet Ludwig-Donau-Main-Canal, while in the second part the wildly romantic Schwarzachtal awaits you. You can also easily reach the starting point of this tour by train.

First…
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Wallenstein Circular Trail – caving in Germany’s Nuremberg region
Intermediate
02:12
5.12 mi
2.3 mph
300 ft
300 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hiking in the footsteps of Wallenstein: The famous commander from the Thirty Years' War spent a semester at the university in Altdorf as a student. That's why a circular route is dedicated to him here, which takes you to the places that were important to the young Wallenstein. The hike starts at the…
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