The mysterious shaft
A fifty-five-metre stone-lined shaft that nobody can explain.
Hubert Berberich (HubiB) — Public domain · Hoschfrosch — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sven-121 — CC0 · Sven-121 — CC0
The Heidenloch is a deep stone shaft on the Heiligenberg hill in the forest above Heidelberg. It runs about fifty-five metres down, its walls carefully lined with stone, and nobody knows exactly who dug it or why. There are plenty of theories: a Roman well, a well for a medieval monastery that stood on the hill, or something ritual. That mystery is the whole of its appeal. It is reached on a forest walk, and forms part of an archaeological area on the hill that also holds the ruins of an old monastery and a 1930s amphitheatre.
A fifty-five-metre stone-lined shaft that nobody can explain.
Remains of a medieval monastery on the same summit, seen on the same walk.
Shaded paths on the hill, quiet and far from the crush of the old town.
Heiligenberg, 69120 Heidelberg
St Stephen's Monastery RuinsThe ruins of St Stephen's Monastery lie on the slope of the Heiligenberg north o1 minute walk4.6
Thingstätte & the Holy MountainAbove the bank facing Heidelberg's castle rises the Heiligenberg — the "holy mou6 minutes walk4.8
The SchlangenwegThe Schlangenweg, the snake path, is a narrow stone lane climbing the slope of t7 minutes walk4.9
Philosophers' WayThe Philosophers' Way is a walking path on the hillside across the river from th7 minutes walk4.8
Old BridgeThe Old Bridge crosses the Neckar and links the old town with the far bank. Its 9 minutes walk4.9If you enjoy forest walks and enigmatic ruins, yes — especially with the monastery remains nearby. But if your time in Heidelberg is short, the castle and the Philosophers' Way come well before it. This is a second-day outing.
By an uphill forest path from the north bank of the river, about half an hour up. Or take a bus most of the way and walk a short distance. The paths are signposted, but take a map or an app.
No. The shaft is covered by a protective grille and can only be looked into. Descending is entirely forbidden for safety, and the drop is considerable.