Questions & answers

Around 8 °C all year round, with high humidity. Please bring a jacket and sturdy shoes.

The cave pauses in winter: from the end of October or the beginning of November until spring. The exact dates for winter 2026/27 will follow.

Yes, free of charge: at the Waldhotel, at the “Tropfsteinhöhle” hikers’ car park and at the motorhome pitch by the cave.

By bus line 302 to the stop “Tropfsteinhöhle”, directly below the wildlife park entrance. Wiehl bus station is also connected.

Yes. The Waldhotel has a restaurant and terrace right by the cave, and the kiosk sells ice cream, coffee and drinks.

Yes, the tour is independent of the weather. In hot weather it is pleasantly cool in the cave.

The tour route is about 400 m (1,300 ft) long and leads down to 30 m (98 ft). The total length of the passage system is given differently depending on the source (868 m according to Wikipedia).

The limestone is around 390 million years old. The cave itself is much younger, and its exact age has not been dated. It has been open as a show cave since 1927.

About 45 minutes for the tour, and roughly another hour for the 1.8 km circular path in the wildlife park. With a meal at the Waldhotel, the visit takes half a day.

Tours start punctually on the hour. Latecomers unfortunately cannot join. Please be at the ticket desk in good time.

Yes, even in midsummer it is around 8 °C in the cave, with high humidity. A jacket belongs in your bag even on hot days.

Several thin layers, a jacket and long trousers.

Sturdy, non-slip shoes. There are 26 steps, and the floor can be damp. Sandals and high heels are less suitable.

Yes, the tour takes place whatever the weather. In hot weather the cave is a welcome cool-down.

About 45 minutes.

From 2027 every hour on the hour, from 10:00 to 16:00.

No, the cave can only be visited on a guided tour.

The venue is still clarifying this. A second exit lies further below, near the road; if you feel unwell, please tell the cave guide beforehand.

About 25 people can join each tour. Larger groups are split up.

There is no binding rule on this yet. In show caves it is usual to take photos for private use without flash.

Filming for private use is usually possible. There is no binding rule yet; please ask the venue beforehand.

This has not been regulated yet. On a guided group tour a tripod is usually impractical because of the narrow spots and limited space. Please ask the venue beforehand.

This is possible by arrangement with the venue, especially for weddings. Please enquire in advance on +49 2262 7920.

Adults €6.50, children €5.50. Groups get €1 off per person.

Online booking is planned from 2027; payment is made on site at the ticket desk. Latecomers cannot join.

Card payment at the ticket desk is likely but not yet confirmed.

Online booking is planned from the next day, until the day before. For today, please go directly to the ticket desk or call.

This is covered by the booking terms, which are still being prepared. Until then a phone call on +49 2262 7920 is enough.

Vouchers for a tour are currently available by phone on +49 2262 7920. An online voucher will follow.

Yes, with a voucher. If you want to give more, combine the tour with a meal at the Waldhotel.

Dogs are allowed on a lead in the wildlife park. Whether dogs may enter the cave is still being clarified by the venue.

The way in leads down 26 steps, so a pushchair practically cannot come along. Whether there is a place to leave it still has to be clarified.

The cave is compact and child-friendly. No minimum age has been set.

Yes. The wildlife park is right next door, free and open all day. The circular path is about 1.8 km long.

Yes: as a tour for a private group in its own time slot, followed by a party at the Waldhotel. So far from 8 people, service charge €25.

No, the wildlife park is free and open all day.

Yes, civil weddings since 2002, at the deepest point at a depth of about 30 m. The dates are allocated by the Wiehl registry office. More under “Weddings”.

You register your marriage with the Wiehl registry office and choose the cave as your venue. At the same time you agree the schedule and guests with the Waldhotel on +49 2262 7920.

The number of guests is agreed with the venue, on request on +49 2262 7920. The ceremony location is a chamber in the rock, so numbers are limited.

So far there is a basic fee of €110 for the cave, plus the registry office’s fees. Please ask for the current amount.

Yes. Groups get €1 off per person, and there is also the “Achsenschmiere” tour with a drink at the deepest point. Enquiries by phone on +49 2262 7920.

Yes: a tour as a private group, followed by a party at the Waldhotel, for example for milestone birthdays, anniversaries or family reunions. More under “Family celebrations”.

A special tour on which a drink is served at the deepest point. So far €9 per person including a drink.

Yes, school classes can use the cave as a place to learn about geology and general science. Price and dates on request.

No. The way in leads down 26 steps, and some passages are narrow and low. The venue will confirm more precise details.

Yes, at the cave ticket desk there are toilets and a baby-changing room. The toilet is not accessible for wheelchair users.

The way in leads down 26 steps, which takes you 7 metres underground, and then it continues down to a depth of 30 metres.

Some passages are narrow and low. If you are unsure, please ask the venue in advance and speak to the cave guides.

The air is cool and damp. That is not pleasant for everyone, but for some it is a relief. If you have asthma or allergies, please ask your doctor if in doubt.

We are not aware of any explicit restriction. Bear in mind the 26 steps, the cool air and the narrow spots, and ask your doctor if in doubt.

From Cologne city centre it is roughly 50 km, around 45 to 50 minutes by car via the A4, exit Gummersbach/Wiehl. From Cologne/Bonn Airport allow about an hour, from Düsseldorf about 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic.

The easiest way is by motorway towards Cologne and then on the A4 to the exit Gummersbach/Wiehl. Approximate distances: from Venlo about 150 km, from Arnhem/Nijmegen and Eindhoven 200 to 220 km, from Utrecht and Antwerp 240 to 270 km, from Liège about 170 km, from Brussels about 260 km, from Luxembourg about 270 km and from Paris about 520 km. Driving time is between roughly 1 hour 45 minutes and 5 hours 30 minutes, depending on where you start.

The cave is at Pfaffenberg 1 in 51674 Wiehl, about one kilometre south of the town centre. From the A4 motorway take the exit Gummersbach/Wiehl. You can plan your route easily with the “Directions in Google Maps” link on the Plan your visit page.

Yes, a motorhome pitch is located at the dripstone cave. Please ask about conditions and fees in advance.

The stop “Tropfsteinhöhle” on line 302 is directly below the wildlife park entrance. At Wiehl bus station, lines 304, 306, 321, 324 and 325 also stop.

Right at the cave in the restaurant and on the terrace of the Waldhotel, and at the kiosk by the ticket desk for ice cream, coffee and drinks.

Yes, the Waldhotel Tropfsteinhöhle is right at the cave and offers overnight accommodation. Please enquire about rooms directly with the venue: +49 2262 7920.