The Leichtweißhöhle is a cave in the Wiesbaden Nerotal. Its name is derived from the poacher Heinrich Anton Leichtweiß, who used the cave as a shelter from 1789 to 1791. Forest workers discovered the cave and Leichtweiß due to rising smoke.
The Leichtweißhöhle is originally a small natural cave and not much more than a large rock overhang, a so-called abri. The local slate is not suitable for karstification. No other caves can be found.
The cave fell into oblivion until Wiesbaden gained international fame as a spa and the cave became a popular tourist destination. It was one of the new attractions that visitors to Wiesbaden were to be offered. The Wiesbaden Beautification Association expanded the cave in 1856. A second entrance was created, a room to the side and a niche padded with moss, which was declared to be a place to sleep. The cave was also decorated accordingly, including with old weapons and pictures. A romanticization followed. The Schwarzbach, which flows past the cave from the Rabengrund, was given an artificial waterfall and a wooden bridge was built to cross the stream. A viewing pavilion was built above the cave, and the access paths to the cave were fitted with railings and the cave entrance was fitted with a wooden porch. These changes were so extensive that the original state is hardly recognizable today.
In 1905, Emperor Wilhelm II and his wife visited the cave.