Schertelshöhle

Schertel's Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Westerheim. A8 Behelfsausfahrt (unnamed exit) between exits Merklingen and Mühlhausen, follow signs to Westerheim, at the city limits turn right. 4 km NW Westerheim, parking 200 m from the entrance. (48.534860, 9.587546)
Open:	Palm Sunday to 14-MAY Sun 9-17. 15-MAY to 01-OCT daily 9-17. 02-OCT to 15-NOV Sun 9-17. [2006]
Fee:	Adults EUR 2, Children EUR 1.50. Groups (20+): Adults EUR 1.70, Children EUR 1.20. [2006]
Classification:	Karst cave horizontal cave, Malm.
Light:	LED Lighting
Dimension:	L=212 m. Entrance: VR=24 m. A=820 m asl
Guided tours:	L=320 m, D=30 min., St=238, V=14,500/a [2005].
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Willi Baumeister: 75 Jahre Betreuung der Schertelshöhe, Schwäbischer Albverein, Höhlengruppe Westerheim. () Anonymous: Die Schertelshöhle bei Westerheim, (Schwäbische Alb), Walter Höhlenführer Nr. 105 ()
Address:	Höhlenverein e.V., 72589 Westerheim, Tel: +49-7333-7845 Leader: Klaus Rauschmaier, Siedlungsstraße 7, 72589 Westerheim, Tel: +49-7333-6406.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1470	first mentioned in the chronicle of Wiesensteig with the name Schretzenloch.
1754	mentioned in the chronicle of Westerheim with the name Kühloch (cow hole), which was used to throw away dead cattle.
1821	first exploration.
1822	miners in search of coal visited the cave.
1860	a new leaser uses the cave as beer cellar.
1900	foundation of the Westerheim chapter of the Schwäbischer Albverein (Swabian Jura Club), which takes care of the cave.
1902	paths developed.The cave is now lighted once a year.
1929	notary public Scheuffele from Wiesensteig and some other nature lovers built a 12.5 m long adit into the cave.
1952	Westerheim chapter of the Schwäbischer Albverein refounded after the war, reassumption of the cave supervision.
1953	electric light.
1955	further development of the cave.

Description

The Schertelshöhle is a single passage or tunnel, looking like a big L. The entrance to the cave is at the dogleg, by an artificial adit. The left wing is developed completely, the right wing has a 50 m dead end which is not developed.

The Schertelshöhle is still very rich in formations, although much was destroyed during the centuries. A small gallery of curtains is played like a speleothem organ by the guide.

the organ. © Höhlenverein Westerheim, with kind permission.

The cave was named after a legend about the Freiherr von Schertel. He was hunting in the forests around Westerheim, when his dog vanished. He searched for a long time, but then he heard a whining from a deep hole in the ground. He organized some men for help and he climbed into the hole, discovering the Schertelshöhle. This legend is definitely untrue, but it is still told.

Another legend sounds much more unbelievable, but there is evidence for its (partly) truth. Around 1800 an outlaw called Schwarzer Vere (Black Vere) was notorious south of the Swabian Jura. He was known for being a thief and murderer, and it is reported he burnt down the farms of his enemies. The main reason for his dreadful reputaion was the fact, that nobody was able to catch him. Every time the persecutors thought they got him, he vaished. But one day his luck left him, he was captured and locked into the Ebinger Torturm (tower of the gate toward Ebingen) in Biberach an der Riß. There he was killed by a lightning during a tempest. More than 50 years later, a woman from Wiesensteig, who was in his gang as a young girl, told where he hid when he vanished so miraculous. We all guessed it: it was the sinkhole Kühloch (cow hole).

But although the existence of the outlaw is recorded, he was robbing south of the Danube and it is not likely that ever visited Westerheim. Also, the deep and steep shaft is not very usefull to vanish fast and without a trace. It takes some time for a group of people to climb down safely. Nevertheless the story has some kind of logik. An outlaw, a man who was able to abandon the fears and obligation of his time and break the law could also have the courage to enter a cave which nobody else entered.

Nearby (300 m/15 min) is a small wild cave, which may also be visited, the Steinerne Haus (House of Rock).