Lillach Tufa Terraces

Really a highlight that is second to none. The path along the Lillach has a few steps (therefore it is only partially suitable for prams), but it is well developed and has several rest areas where you can enjoy the wonderful nature in peace. On weekends, however, there is quite a lot of hiking traffic. I recommend the hike after rain or in spring, when there is a lot of water and the creek is not overgrown.

The natural monument Lillachtal was created over the last 10,000 years and has formed the so-called sinter terraces. This natural spectacle is very rare, since different local conditions must coincide. A key factor is the limestone soil typical of the karst landscape of Franconian Switzerland. Due to the precipitation on the plateaus, the rain containing carbon dioxide seeps through the limestone rock and dissolves part of the limestone from the rock through a chemical reaction. Due to this solution weathering, the water of the Lillach spring is heavily enriched with lime.

This process is stopped by small waterfalls and turbulences in the course of the river, as the carbon dioxide is dissolved again and the lime precipitates. The result is deposits of fine lime needles on the plants growing in the water - but these counteract the incrustation by growing beyond the calcified layer - over many decades the so-called tuffs are formed in this way.

Beautiful section of the route, where the water has paved the terrace over the karst.