Dechen Cave

The Dechen Cave (Dechenhöhle) in Iserlohn is one of Germany's most beautiful show caves, set in a wooded valley where the Sauerland hills meet the Ruhr area. A guided tour of about 40 minutes leads through winding passages full of stalactites, flowstone and crystal-lined pools, and your ticket also covers the German Cave Museum next door. It even has its own train stop, which makes it an easy day trip from Dortmund or Essen.

A railroad discovery

Two railroad workers found the cave on June 10, 1868, while building the line through the valley; according to legend, one of them dropped a hammer into a crack in the rock and found the cave while looking for it. It is named after Heinrich von Dechen, a leading 19th-century geologist. Johann Carl Fuhlrott, famous for identifying the Neanderthal fossils, studied the cave and drew its first map. The operator says nearly 13 million people have visited in more than 150 years.

What you will see

The visitor path is about 550 meters long, with roughly 400 meters inside the cave. It is mostly level but includes two staircases. Along the way you will see stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone cascades and an excavation site. The German Cave Museum displays finds such as the skeleton of a baby cave bear dug up in 2000, the skull of a forest rhinoceros, and life-size dinosaur models. The cave stays at 10°C (50°F) year-round. Photography is not allowed on regular tours.

Tickets and opening hours

Entry is by guided tour only, and there are no online tickets; individual visitors simply turn up (as of October 2026). Adults pay €10 and children aged 3 to 15 pay €6.50, including the museum. Cash and German debit cards (EC cards) are accepted.

From April to October, weekday tours run at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with tours every 40 to 50 minutes on weekends and school holidays. In November, the last tour is at 3:30 p.m. From December to February the cave opens only on weekends, public holidays and during Christmas school holidays. The website links to an English version of the guide's commentary.

How to get there

Dechenhöhle is the only show cave in Germany with its own railroad stop, "Letmathe-Dechenhöhle," right next to the entrance. Regional Express line RE 16 runs here from Essen via Bochum and Hagen, and the Deutschlandticket is valid. Dortmund is about 30 km away. Drivers use the A 46 (exit Iserlohn-Oestrich); parking is free.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, it is a compact, well-presented cave that combines easily with a short nature walk. Strollers, wheelchairs (on regular tours) and pets are not allowed.

Nearby

• Sonderhorst-Burgberg nature reserve, with a short trail starting at the cave.
• "Pater und Nonne" rocks on the Lenne River in Letmathe.
• Felsenmeer and Heinrich Cave in neighboring Hemer.