Uftrungen: Heimkehle, Valley and Memorial Site

Uftrungen lies in the Thyra Valley, beside wooded heights connected to the Schabeleite and Alter Stolberg protected areas. The Heimkehle, a gypsum karst cave with underground lakes and large caverns, lies near the settlement. The Kleiner Dom adds a memorial site to the natural experience.

Valley, Cave and Remembrance

The names Schabeleite and Alter Stolberg provide concrete points of reference in the landscape; the nearby cave, by contrast, draws the eye underground. This means different interests can come together during your stay: taking in the wooded heights, exploring the cave on a guided tour or learning about the memorial site. This contrast can be especially helpful when travelling with several generations, allowing you to consider nature, landscape and remembrance as different facets of the place.

The Heimkehle: Tours and Preparation

The Heimkehle is about two kilometres long, of which 700 metres are open to visitors. The cave can only be explored on a guided tour. Underground lakes and large caverns shape the visit, adding vivid impressions from inside the cave to a sense of its scale. The guided route is wheelchair accessible. The cave has an average year-round temperature of about 8°C; warm clothing and suitable footwear are essential, even in summer. A helmet is provided and must be worn. Check the latest visitor information before travelling.

Remembrance and Regional Cuisine

The Kleiner Dom commemorates victims of forced labour and persecution. This memorial site offers a different perspective from the lakes, caverns and geological features of the Heimkehle. If you are travelling with your family, you can discuss both topics in advance: the tour takes you into a natural cave, while the Kleiner Dom focuses on remembrance. This distinction helps you take different interests into account when planning together.

Outside the Heimkehle, a restaurant serves regional and seasonal dishes and offers indoor and outdoor seating. So, alongside the cave, there is also a culinary side of the village to enjoy. The menu and availability may change. If you plan to eat at the restaurant, check what is on offer before your visit.

Choose Accommodation to Match Your Travel Interests

When choosing accommodation in Uftrungen, you can start by asking which experience you would like to shape your stay: a guided cave tour, an interest in the memorial site or the landscape of the Thyra Valley. On a family trip, you can weigh up different interests together; underground natural formations, remembrance and regional cuisine offer different perspectives on a visit to the area. Perhaps the Heimkehle is the reason for your trip, while the wooded heights provide the scenic backdrop. Or perhaps you would also like to enjoy regional and seasonal cuisine alongside the cave.

Discover more destinations:

Breitungen, Wickerode, Hainrode, Breitenstein, Dietersdorf, Schwenda, Stolberg

Go to the main travel overview: Southern Harz.