Teufelsrutsch

The Teufelsrutsch is a densely wooded porphyry knoll rising above the Wiesbach valley in Rhenish Hesse. It sits near the village of Wendelsheim, where a local tale claims the devil once slid down its stony slope on his bare bottom. The knoll offers wide views across the valley and surrounding countryside. Beneath the trees lie the remains of a Celtic stronghold, uncovered by archaeologists. Nearby stands the Schweizerhaus, a small cabin built in 1885 to welcome visitors. The knoll is worth the journey for its mix of legend and history. A gallery called Schinderhannes Cave lies about 20 metres below the viewing platform. This 60-metre-deep cinnabar mine operated from the 14th century until 1790. The outlaw Johannes Bückler, known as Schinderhannes, and his band reportedly used the cave at times. The site also contains one of the world’s best-known deposits of amethyst and other minerals. A visitor finds a quiet woodland path leading to the viewing platform. From there, the Wiesbach valley stretches out below. The Schinderhannes Cave entrance is marked near the base of the slope. The Schweizerhaus still stands at the top, offering a place to rest. Amethyst crystals and other minerals can be spotted in the surrounding rocks. The Celtic remains lie scattered among the trees, hinting at older stories.