Seven Hour Cave Exploration tour to a 30-meter underground waterfall
We booked a tour with trekking.ch to explore the Höllloch. The tour we chose was to last for a total of about seven hours underground. We arrived before the official meeting time in the Restaurant Höllloch in Muotatal, at what feels like the end of the village. We met our tour guide, had a coffee and croissant before heading out to get our overalls and rubber boots. Yes, apparently, the best footwear you can have for cave exploration are rubber boots. With their flexible sole, you can grip better in between the rocks than with other shoes. Having suited up, we ascended a path for about 10 minutes before standing in front of the iron gate that is the entrance. In between, we were given some history of the cave and how it was explored.
The start of the cave is lit by modern lighting. There is plenty of headroom and space in general. We follow the original path made back in the early 20th century, stopping here and there to learn more about the history of the Höllloch. Very soon, we start to head down some steps and then up some others. There is barely a straight path anywhere. The artificial path soon stops, and we are standing in front of wooden boards. Our guide explains that these are windscreens. We hush through and close them up on the other side. Here, there are no more light bulbs, and we turn on our headlamps that are fixed to our helmets. The adventure really begins!
Immerse yourself into the vastness of the Hölloch cave and experience on this day expedition the fascinating shape diversity and discover how the water has carved its way relentlessly through nooks and crannies over close to a million years to finally create the cave we can explore today.
At this point, I need to say that I was expecting something like a hike, but what presented itself here was a steep slope that was secured with a rope. Each of us had to rappel down the rope individually, with the understanding that in the end, we would have to come back the same way. From there, more surprises lurked in the dark. Soon thereafter, what seemed almost like a straight wall had to be ascended. The whole rock was washed out round and individual streams had eaten channels into the rock that we now used as steppingstones to get up this wall. This wasn’t hiking, this was closer to climbing. And if I had to compare it to a hiking trail, I would classify this at least as a T4. This would now explain why it would take us seven hours to complete a 5-kilometer distance. What followed was a continuation of this type of course. Rarely was there ever a section that did not either go up or down. The sections of climbing were interrupted with three slopes that were covered in black sand. These we were descending on our way inwards.
The physical activity required to climb up and down was causing me to break a sweat quickly. I had worn only a Tshirt underneath the overall but had packed something warm in my backpack, just in case. I slipped out of the top part of the overall and used the arms to bind the top part to my waist. This way, at least I would not be sweating as much. Others were not as warm as me. I guess it is very individual how warm six degrees feels. As long as we were moving, I would not feel cold at all. Only during the breaks, I would start to cool off a bit much. Having something warm with you is advisable. My Pro Tip also applies here: bring a change of clothes and leave it in the car, or in a separate backpack at the restaurant.
The trip itself is fascination. I was surprised that there were barely any tight passages. While some parts of the cave seemed similar, it never felt boring or monotonous. Our guide was well experienced and could give us loads of detail about the Höllloch, its relation to other caves, and even some biology lessons about the critters that live in the cave. After about four hours, we reached the Water Dome. A 30-meter-tall waterfall underground. A fascinating place! After this highlight, it was time to turn around. On the way back, we did not talk as much and only took one long break. Everybody started to get tired and we are all looking to get out. Somehow all the parts that seemed steep or difficult on the way in were now not so bad. I guess we all got used to the environment and were all also moving through it much quicker now. Even the final rope that was initially thought was now ascended without difficulty. Tired and exhausted we all reached the exit.
The sun was shining, and this somehow surprised me. Having adjusted to the dark world inside the cave, I did not remember the sun being so bright. Colors felt as intense as never before and the smell of cut grass and pine trees lay in the air. It was not obvious, but we started our senses in the cave. Now coming back out, they were all heightened. It was a nice bonus to receive after all the effort just expended.
The Trip was hard, and is not to be underestimated. It is manageable but it was just surprising to me because I did not expect it. The temperature and humidity didn’t bother me so much. I was always warm enough, and I was expected to get wet and dirty in the cave. What surprised me was just how much space we always had. There was rarely a passage where we could not walk upright and only one where we really had to crawl. On the other hand, it was a nice surprise to feel the intensity of color and smell coming back out of the cave. I can recommend this trip as a fun full day activity. Even if you are not particularly interested in cave exploration, it is a fun and active day and you are sure to learn a lot of new and interesting facts!
From a preparation side, make sure to bring enough water and food for a seven-hour round trip. There are no toilets in the cave, as you can imagine, so go before going into the cave. While I had no trouble with the temperature, you should bring something warm just in case. Otherwise, wear comfortable clothing underneath the overall and perhaps some skiing socks into the rubber boots. The Boots, overall and helmet with the headlamp will be provided by trekking.ch – Overall may need to be booked at extra costs, book it!
Links: https://www.trekking.ch/
Hölloch, 6436 Muotathal.
