Karsthöhle Kelle

The Kelle karst cave near Appenrode, which was formed by water-soluble gypsum rock, is one of the reasons why the karst landscape of the Südharz Nature Park is so popular with hikers and holidaymakers. It is located between Ilfeld and Ellrich in a woodland area of several hectares called "Kellholz". The cave was once a hall 85 metres long in total, but due to stagnant karst water it has been leached out and reshaped over time, which explains its current appearance as a half-open grotto with a sinkhole and small cave lake. The current dimensions are 20 metres in length, 16 metres in width and 25 metres in height.

The history of the karst cave

The cave has been known to mankind for many hundreds of years and was already used as a place of pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, which is why numerous myths and legends surround the cave. It was first mentioned on maps in the 16th century and is said to have been the most beautiful cave and most important attraction for visitors to the Harz region for half a century. At the same time, however, the Kelle is also an example of the decay of this type of cave - it has changed its appearance several times over the centuries.

At the end of the 18th century, for example, there were reports of a hole in the ceiling of the cave that allowed a romantic light to fall into the cave's interior. Researchers believe that this small hole was ultimately responsible for the ceiling collapsing in 1830, causing the ladle to lose around two thirds of its original size and remain in its current form.

Worth knowing: The Kelle, which has been precisely documented over the centuries, is an excellent example of the development of karst phenomena, which form and decay in geologically very short intervals.

Hiking to the Kelle cave

There are various ways to hike to the Kelle karst cave in the Harz Mountains, including the cave lake. The most common route to the cave is the karst hiking trail, which leads directly past the cave opening and is well signposted. It can be entered via a staircase and offers pleasant temperatures for hikers visiting the natural monument, especially in summer, due to the cool cave air. The cave lake itself is also cold and does not harbour any life. Hikers are advised to only walk along the marked hiking trails, as there are other sinkholes in the entire Kellholz area and it is therefore suspected that the region is extensively undermined.