Karhofhöhle

The Karhofhöhle is a cave in the Devonian limestone massif near Balve in the Hönnetal valley. It lies within the Karhof limestone formation on both sides of the Grübecker Straße, which runs through Grübecker Tal towards Neheim-Hüsten. The cave was first explored in 1891 by Emil Carthaus, a local geologist. Its name comes from the former owner, a farmer named Karhof from Volkringhausen. Today the cave remains privately owned by the Rheinisch-Westfälische Kalkwerke’s Hönnetal operation. The cave is worth visiting for its geological interest and Bronze Age finds. During Carthaus’s survey, Bronze ear rings were discovered inside, now displayed in regional collections. The Devonian limestone dates from around 380 million years ago, when the region lay beneath a warm inland sea. Its walls show clear stratification from successive layers of sediment. The cave’s modest size—only 125 metres long—makes it easily explored in under an hour. Inside, visitors follow a single passage that winds through the limestone. The walls display smooth, pale grey surfaces marked by natural fractures and minor stalactites. The floor is mostly level, with occasional shallow pools after rain. The cave stays cool even in summer, offering a quiet contrast to the surrounding farmland. Beyond its geological value, the site recalls the Bronze Age people who once used the cave for shelter or ritual.