Steinerne Rinne near Engelthal

The Steinerne Rinne is a designated natural monument on the north-eastern slope of the 567-meter-high Buchenberg, about two kilometers southwest of the Engelthal community. There is another stone channel around four and a half kilometers further south.

Stone channels are rare geological phenomena that result from the separation of lime from slowly flowing rivulets. Lime-rich water must emerge from a layer source and be able to drain off slowly on a relatively flat slope. The spring water releases part of the lime dissolved in it through pressure relief, warming and due to carbon dioxide removal by plants. The lime that precipitates preferably settles on the edge of the trickle.

The source of the small rivulet is located about 100 meters above the channel and has also formed some sinter terraces here. After that, a very small and about 50 meter long and low loft bed made of travertine was created. After the channel formation, the water flows into a small stream bed, which flows into the Hammerbach after about one kilometer at Hallershof. After long periods of drought, the source dries up.

Natural monument created by sintering and worth seeing

Very impressive, but unfortunately no bench to rest. Still nice to watch and listen to.