Discover Honau

Honau combines an unusual landscape with culture and special destinations. The village lies on a roughly 18-hectare limestone tufa bar, a sedimentary rock formation of the Echaz. Those planning a trip with varied interests will find opportunities here for cave experiences, short walks, museum visits, and relaxing by the water. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Honau can serve as a base for a wide variety of day plans.

Limestone Tufa, Springs and a Special Cave

The landscape around Honau shows how closely water and rock are connected. The Föhner Spring is located near the Honau sports field. It emerges from an opening in the rock after the snowmelt or during prolonged periods of rain. This makes it an interesting destination for anyone who wants to pay attention not only to well-known sights but also to unusual natural phenomena during their explorations.

At the spring basin of the Echaz Spring, there is a place to sit for hikers and walkers. This provides a definite resting point for a short break without requiring a fixed daily schedule. Depending on your travel plans, such a place can be combined with other impressions of the surrounding area.

The Olgahöhle Cave: A Natural Experience with History

One of the most distinctive sights in Honau is the Olgahöhle cave. This remarkable show cave features bizarre rock formations, imposing moss tufa blocks, and limestone tufa domes. Its history dates back to October 24, 1874, when it was discovered by Johann Ziegler during quarrying work. As early as 1884, the Olgahöhle was electrically illuminated, making it the first electrically illuminated cave in Germany.

Tours of the cave can be conducted on request by the Honau local group of the Swabian Alb Association. For your travel planning, it therefore makes sense to treat a possible cave visit as a separate item on your itinerary. The combination of geological formations and the history of technology also makes the Olgahöhle interesting for travelers who want to experience nature through more than just trails and viewpoints.

Culture and More Relaxed Excursion Ideas

The Wilhelm Hauff Museum in Lichtenstein-Honau presents works by the writer Wilhelm Hauff in its exhibition. A free audio guide in German and English complements the museum visit. This allows you to organize the cultural part of your stay independently of whether all members of your party share the same interests.

Below Lichtenstein Castle, in the Honau district, there is also a small, family-friendly swimming facility in a picturesque setting. It provides a different experience from the cave and museum and can be included when putting together a varied day of vacation activities.

Trails and Choosing Your Accommodation

For hikers, the route from Lichtenstein Castle to Honau is a clearly described option: The route is 1.9 km long and takes 26 minutes.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Honau, it is worth first deciding what mix of activities you want from your trip. Should the Olgahöhle be the main focus, would you like to combine culture and nature, or would you rather combine several short activities? Honau offers a range of specific themes for this: the geological distinctive feature of the limestone tufa bar, the Föhner Spring, the Echaz Spring, the Wilhelm Hauff Museum, and the route from Lichtenstein Castle.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lichtenstein.