Discover Honau: Cave, Springs and Culture

Honau lies on a calcareous tufa barrier covering around 18 hectares, a sedimentary rock formation created by the Echaz. A remarkable show cave, springs and the Wilhelm Hauff Museum give the village its distinctive character. When planning your trip, you can combine nature, culture and outdoor activities in Honau with other experiences in the wider destination of Lichtenstein.

Olgahöhle Cave and Wilhelm Hauff

Olgahöhle Cave in Honau is a remarkable show cave. Inside, striking rock formations, large blocks of moss tufa and calcareous tufa domes shape the experience. In 1884, it became the first cave in Germany to be lit by electricity. Tours of the cave can be arranged on request by the Honau local group of the Swabian Alb Association (Schwäbischer Albverein e. V.).

The Wilhelm Hauff Museum in Lichtenstein-Honau offers a cultural focus: its exhibition features works by the writer Wilhelm Hauff. A free audio guide in German and English adds to the experience. The cave and museum appeal to different interests, from striking rock formations to literature.

Springs and geological features

Föhnerquelle spring is located near the Honau sports ground. After the snow melts or during prolonged rainfall, water emerges from an opening in the rock. There is a place to sit by the spring pool at the source of the Echaz, for hikers and walkers. The two places offer different highlights: at Föhnerquelle, water emerges only under certain conditions, while the Echaz spring features seating by the spring pool.

The calcareous tufa barrier describes the geological foundation on which Honau lies. Together with the springs, it reveals a natural feature that differs from the cave: the focus is not only on rock formations inside, but also on the landscape and water emerging outdoors.

Trails, swimming pool and seasonal activities

The hiking trail from Lichtenstein Castle to Honau is 1.9 kilometres long and takes 26 minutes. Check the route details before setting out. A small, family-run swimming pool is picturesquely located beneath Lichtenstein Castle in the Honau district; it operates seasonally. Plan for it as a seasonal activity.

There is also a route for cyclists and pedestrians along the old rack railway line between Lichtenstein-Honau and Engstingen. According to the reopening announcement dated 20 November 2025, the cycle path was once again fully accessible. Check current conditions before setting out by bike or on foot.

More experiences in the wider destination of Lichtenstein

In the wider destination of Lichtenstein, Lichtenstein Castle offers another connection to cultural history: it was built from 1840 to 1842 on the foundations of an older knight’s castle and was inspired by Wilhelm Hauff’s novel “Lichtenstein.” The works by Hauff in the museum and the castle’s history thus offer two distinct ways to explore the writer’s legacy.

The Albsteig (HW1) also passes through the wider destination of Lichtenstein, with stages 10 and 11 running through the area. For winter sports, the Lichtenstein cross-country ski trail is 16 kilometres long and designed for both Nordic skiing and skating. Whether it is groomed depends on conditions. Hiking, cycling and winter sports are different ways to experience Lichtenstein; you can consider which of them will shape your trip when planning.

Honau as a starting point for your search

If you would also like to include hiking or winter sports in the wider destination, add Lichtenstein as a separate focus for your search and planning. This lets you choose according to what matters for your trip, without combining interests in caves, springs and culture into a single itinerary.

View the wider travel overview: Lichtenstein.