Bear's Cave (Bärenhöhle)

The Bärenhöhle (Bear's Cave) in Sonnenbühl-Erpfingen is one of the best-known show caves of the Swabian Alb, about an hour south of Stuttgart. It combines two caves: the Karlshöhle, known since 1834, and the Bärenhöhle, discovered in 1949 and named for the Ice Age cave bear bones found inside. A 292-meter route leads through chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, and with a theme park right next door it is a favorite family day out.

A cave found by accident

In May 1834, a village schoolteacher named Fauth was collecting herbs when his snuffbox fell into a crack in the rock. The next day he climbed down with friends and found human and animal bones. Souvenir hunters soon carried off much of what was there. The cave was named after Crown Prince Karl of Württemberg, who visited in the 1830s.

More than a century later, cave guide Karl August Bez noticed bats disappearing into a gap at the end of the Karlshöhle. On December 27, 1949, he and six villagers climbed a five-meter overhang and found a continuation whose floor was covered with cave bear bones. This time the site was protected and studied by scientists from Tübingen.

What you will see

• A cave bear skeleton, the highlight of the visit
• Halls full of dripstone formations
• The story of finds ranging from Ice Age horse, rhino and hyena teeth to Bronze Age jewelry

It stays cool inside year-round, so bring a sweater even in summer. Plan about an hour including the short walk.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to Sonnenbühl's tourism office, the cave is open April through October, daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.). From November through March it is closed because bats hibernate inside. Admission is €7 for adults, €5 for children aged 6 to 14, free for children up to 5, and €17 for a family ticket. Groups of 20 or more can book guided tours; the website does not mention tours in English.

How to get there

Sonnenbühl lies in the district of Reutlingen, roughly 70 kilometers south of Stuttgart. Driving is easiest: there is a parking lot right by the entrance and a second one about 550 meters away. By public transportation, take a train to Reutlingen and a regional bus to the "Bärenhöhle" stop; check the naldo or Deutsche Bahn journey planner, as service can be infrequent. The Deutschlandticket is valid on local buses and regional trains.

Is it worth visiting?

If you are touring the Swabian Alb with kids, yes. The cave is compact, the bear skeleton is memorable, and the Traumland amusement park sits next door. Combine it with the Nebelhöhle, the other show cave in Sonnenbühl, or with Lichtenstein Castle, a short drive away, for a full day.