Efeuhöhle

The Efeuhöhle is a small cave in the Kugelstein massif north of Deutschfeistritz in the Austrian province of Styria. It lies on the eastern slope of the hill, just below the plateau edge, between the villages of Deutschfeistritz and Frohnleiten. The cave entrance is set in a rock face and can only be reached by climbing. The cave is about six metres long and has two openings covered in ivy. From the base of the cliff they look like shallow rock niches. A low passage, roughly 3.2 metres long and between 0.7 and 1 metre wide, links the two entrances. The cave floor is mostly bare rock with only small patches of cave clay. Visitors reach the site by walking up the hillside to the cliff base. The ivy-covered openings stand out against the grey rock. Inside, the short passage is narrow enough to touch both walls at once. The cave is quiet and cool, with light filtering through the ivy. The surrounding woodland on the Kugelstein adds to the peaceful atmosphere.