Discover Uftrungen

Uftrungen and its surroundings

Uftrungen lies in the Thyra Valley. The surrounding wooded heights are associated with the Schabeleite and Alter Stolberg protected areas. The Heimkehle, a remarkable gypsum karst cave, lies near the settlement. These three points of reference help put the destination in context: the valley describes the location of the town, the wooded heights frame the landscape, and the cave offers a special reason to visit nearby. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between Uftrungen’s setting in the landscape and a visit to the cave itself. If you are looking for a hotel in Uftrungen, this combination gives you an objective impression of what makes the town a travel destination.

Visiting the Heimkehle cave

The Heimkehle is a show cave in a karst landscape, with underground lakes and large caverns. It can only be explored as part of a guided tour. The cave is about two kilometres long, of which 700 metres are open to visitors. These figures refer to different things: around two kilometres is the total length, while 700 metres is the section developed for tourism. This distinction helps you understand the cave’s overall extent and the area accessible to visitors. For your visit, the guided-tour format is particularly important: independent exploration is not possible. Check the current visitor arrangements before travelling so you can include the tour in your plans.

The average annual temperature inside the cave is approximately 8 °C. Warm clothing and suitable footwear are required; a helmet is also needed and is provided. Since this figure is the annual average, plan to wear warm clothing regardless of when you travel. The guided route is wheelchair-accessible. Accessibility and equipment are two separate planning considerations: the route is wheelchair-accessible, while a helmet, warm clothing and suitable footwear remain part of the visit requirements. If accessibility is essential to your plans, confirm the current visitor arrangements before travelling.

Remembrance along the tour

The Heimkehle is also a place of remembrance. The Kleine Dom is a memorial; information along the tour commemorates victims of forced labour and persecution. Remembrance is therefore part of the cave tour, alongside the natural caverns and underground lakes. The experience of nature and remembrance are two distinct aspects of the visit. When you visit the Heimkehle, you can take both into account as part of your impression of the cave.

Restaurant and refreshments

There is a restaurant outside the Heimkehle serving regional and seasonal dishes. Seating is available indoors and outdoors. The regional and seasonal focus describes the cuisine, while the indoor and outdoor seating refers to the dining areas. The menu and availability may change; if you plan to eat there, check the latest information in advance. This lets you plan a possible meal as a separate part of your day’s visit.

Discover more destinations: Stolberg, Wickerode, Breitungen, Hainrode, Schwenda, Dietersdorf, Breitenstein

Return to the main travel overview: Südharz.