Top 11 Caves around Flums
Caves around Flums are located in a region characterized by its mountainous landscape, including the Churfirsten range, and its proximity to Lake Walen in St. Gallen, Switzerland. This area offers a variety of geological formations, from natural grottoes to historical mining sites. The subterranean environments here reflect both the natural processes and the industrial heritage of the region. Visitors can explore diverse underground spaces, providing insights into the area's geology and history.
Best caves around Flums
- The most popular caves is Wildenmannli’s Cave, a cave located on the northern slope of the Seluns at an altitude of around 1628 m. It has a measured length of 192.1 m and features water in its passages, reaching about 20 centimeters high at the back.
- Another must-see spot is Seerenbach Falls and Rinquelle, a natural monument that includes a cave system. This location features one of Europe's largest karst springs, the Rinquelle, which emerges from an extensive, branched cave system.
- Visitors also love Gonzen Iron Mine in Sargans, a historical site with a cave-like mine labyrinth. This former iron mine offers tours through approximately 90 kilometers of tunnels, showcasing impressive ore deposits.
- Flums is known for natural caves, karst springs, and historical mining tunnels. The region offers a variety of subterranean environments to explore, from accessible grottoes to extensive former industrial sites.
- The caves around Flums are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 195 photos and 188 upvotes shared by users.
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Wildenmannli’s Cave
Highlight • Cave
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Seerenbach Falls and Rinquelle
Highlight (Segment) • Waterfall
Gigantic spectacle of nature
The best view of all three levels of the waterfall is from the chapel in Betlis. The middle of the three cascades is one of the highest free-falling waterfalls in the world with a height of 305 meters.
Refreshing destination
Coming from Weesen or Quinten, the Seerenbach Falls with the source of the Rin are a special highlight of every hike. It is a short hike from the picturesque village of Betlis to stand on the viewing platform at the foot of the third cascade and watch the roaring waterfalls up close. In warm weather, they provide cool refreshment. In spring after the snow has melted or after heavy rainfall, the Seerenbach Falls are particularly impressive due to the large amounts of water.
Mystery source of Rin
Where the Seerenbach falls imposingly fall into the valley, they unite with the Rinquelle, one of the largest karst springs in Europe. At the beginning of the 20th century, researchers began to study the source of the Rin and the cave system that branched out for kilometers. There is a turnoff about three kilometers from the cave entrance. From here the water disappears inside the mountain. Where? That will probably remain a secret.
See also: Christian Steiner - cave diver at Lake Walen
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Gonzen Iron Mine in Sargans
Highlight • Historical Site
Das zwischen Quintnerkalk liegende Erzlager hatte eine Mächtigkeit von 0,5–2,2 m und erstreckte sich über eine Grundfläche von über 3 Quadratkilometer. Der Eisengehalt betrug ca. 50–60 %, es kamen auch reine Manganerze vor. Der tiefste Abbaupunkt lag auf etwa 350 m, während sich der höchstgelegene Abbaupunkt auf ca. 1400 m befand. In zeitlicher Reifenfolge wurden die Vorkommen zuerst von oben her ausgebeutet. Dabei wurde das Erz mittels hölzernen, ab 1839 eisernen, Hunden aus der Grube und nachfolgend per Schlitten auf steilen Wegen zu Tal befördert. Der Abbau der Grube I fand während der Frühzeit und der Blütezeit im 15. bis 19. Jahrhundert statt und endete 1918. In der 1842 wieder entdeckten Grube II und in der Grube IV wurden grössere Erzmengen gefördert (überwiegend 1764–1774). Die Grube III war ein eher unbedeutendes Grubenfeld.
1823 kaufte Johann Georg Neher das Eisenwerk Plons und das Bergwerk Gonzen von der Familie Bernold und erbaute 1825 in Plons einen Hochofen, welcher bis 1868 und später, in verbesserter Form, erneut von 1873 bis 1878 betrieben wurde.[3] Die Familie Neher förderte bis 1873 überwiegend über diese Gruben mittels Sprengstoff. In dieser Zeit wurden ca. 140'000 Tonnen Eisenerz gefördert. Der Abbau fand im Pfeilerbauverfahren ohne Holzeinbau und ohne Versatz statt, da das Hangende fest und tragfähig war. Die Verhüttung der Erze fand bis ca. 1900 vollständig in der Schweiz statt. Ab 1921 wurde der Grossteil der Erze ins deutsche Ruhrgebiet verkauft. Die reinen Manganerze, welche begehrt waren, wurden überwiegend in der Schweiz abgesetzt. 1917 wurde ca. 500 m nordöstlich von Grube I ein weitere Stollen, Nausgrube genannt, auf ca. 1000 m ü. M. in den Berg getrieben.
1919 wurde die Eisenbergwerk Gonzen AG gegründet, deren Abbaukonzession 2003 um weitere 80 Jahre verlängert wurde. Um 1920 beschäftigte das Werk 150 bis 180 Personen. 1942 förderten 380 Bergarbeiter 116'000 Tonnen Eisenerz. Von 1920 bis 1951 wurden die Erze mit einer 1800 Meter langen Luftseilbahn von Naus zur Aufbereitungsanlage im Tal abtransportiert.[4] Nach Errichtung des Grundstollens wurde diese zurückgebaut.[5] Vor der Errichtung der Seilbahn und des Grundstollens wurde das Erz mit Schlitten ins Tal befördert.
1949 wurde bei Vild im Tal mit dem Bau des Grundstollens begonnen, welcher nach 1700 m auf den Erzgang (Steillager) stiess. Nachfolgend wurde der Abbau über die Nausgrube von Naus (Scheitel) eingestellt. 1963 wurde ein Erdgasvorkommen in der Nähe der Fluewand-Verwerfung entdeckt, was die Kosten für die Sicherung der Arbeiter in die Höhe trieb. In diesem Zuge wurde auf elektronische Sprengung umgestellt und es erfolgte eine kontinuierliche Messung des Methangehalts der Luft.
Bis 1921 wurde das Eisenerz direkt in der Grube oder unmittelbar vor der Grube sortiert. Danach entstand in Malerva eine Reinigungs- und Sortieranlage. Die Anlage hatte einen Gleisanschluss mit dem Bahnhof Sargans der SBB. Sie diente auch als Talstation der Luftseilbahn. 1939 brannte sie komplett aus, wurde aber wiedererrichtet. Nach Fertigstellung des Grundstollens konnte das Eisenerz mit der Grubenbahn direkt nach Malerva transportiert werden. Dafür wurde eine Betonbrücke am Eingang des Bergwerkes gebaut. Bis 1954 wurden die Erze per Hand zumeist von Frauen sortiert. 1954 errichtete die Eisenbergwerk Gonzen AG eine automatische Sortieranlage. Die automatische Sortieranlage war in der Lage, Kalk mit einer Korngrösse bis 2 mm auszusortieren. Von Hand gelang das höchstens bis zu einer Korngrösse von 15 mm.
Nach Kriegsende sank die Jahresproduktion auf 18'000 Tonnen. Wegen sinkender Weltmarktpreise und der erhöhten Förderkosten (viele Stollen, starke Verwerfungen, geringe Mächtigkeit des Lagers) wurde der Abbau am 2. Mai 1966 eingestellt. Die Gesamtförderung betrug 2,7 Millionen Tonnen Eisenerz. Noch heute werden die Roteisensteinvorräte auf 5,5 Millionen Tonnen
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Tüfels Chuchi
Highlight • Cave
Interesting cave at an uplifting power spot
The Tüfels Chuchi is a geologically interesting miniature cave. Covered in moss, dripping and dispensing water, the rock opens up. Energetically speaking, the Tüfels Chuchi is a good, uplifting power spot. The name is quite intriguing, as it demonizes a healthy, strongly vibrating place, which suggests that the place was known and used very early on. Had it been more important, a forest chapel would probably greet us at this location. Important Celtic and pre-Celtic sites have often been Christianized, while less important ones have been demonized.
Text / Source: Heidiland Tourismus AG, Graubünden Holidays, Alexanderstrasse 24, Chur
graubuenden.ch/de/ausflugsziele/tuefels-chuchi
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Entrance to Landesplattenberg Slate Quarry, Engi
Highlight • Cave
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Tips from the Community
interesting and fresh
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Guided tours are only available on certain dates or with pre-registered groups (see website). However, the restaurant and museum are always open; the restaurant in the mine is beautifully designed, with an outdoor terrace in front of the entrance.
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Tüfels Chuchi, Wangs Interesting cave at an uplifting power spot The Tüfels Chuchi is a geologically interesting miniature cave. Covered in moss, dripping and dispensing water, the rock opens up. Energetically speaking, the Tüfels Chuchi is a good, uplifting power spot. The name is quite intriguing, as it demonizes a healthy, strongly vibrating place, which suggests that the place was known and used very early on. Had it been more important, a forest chapel would probably greet us at this location. Important Celtic and pre-Celtic sites have often been Christianized, while less important ones have been demonized. Text / Source: Heidiland Tourismus AG, Graubünden Holidays, Alexanderstrasse 24, Chur https://www.graubuenden.ch/de/ausflugsziele/tuefels-chuchi
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On the eastern side of the Seluner-Ruck there is a cave, the Wildmannlisloch. Its gate is so large that one can drive in with a horse and cart. It leads an hour and a half deep into the mountain, and the passages inside are so wide that several men can walk upright side by side. At the front the wild men have carved out tables and benches for themselves; a quarter of an hour further in is a small lake, surrounded by boulders; the dwarves have rolled around these to form cool resting places; even further back are the dwellings. The dwarves lived on roots and milk. They helped the neighboring herdsmen to "shear" the stables, feed the cattle, and make hay on the mountain. Once they fetched the midwife from Starkenbach, who had to assist a wild woman. As a reward she received an entire apron full of lumps of earth. On the long way out of the cave, however, she paid no attention to the worthless gift; When she came out into the daylight and looked at the last piece, it was pure gold. Rochholz, Swiss legends.
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You can explore this cave on your own; a headlamp and waterproof shoes are a good idea. You sometimes have to bend down a bit, so be careful.
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Restaurant Bergwerk, Gonzen / Sargans The Bergwerk restaurant is unique in design and very attractive for individual guests as well as for banquets, family celebrations or business events. A visit after a tour or guided tour of the visitor mine is also worthwhile. The location can be adapted to the size of your event thanks to the stage that can be moved on rails. Performances such as concerts or lectures are possible on the stage. The museum in the back of the restaurant cavern gives you and your guests an insight into ore mining in the Gonzen. Text / source: Pro Gonzenbergwerk Rheinstrasse 22, 7320 Sargans https://www.bergwerk-gonzen.ch/restaurant-bergwerk
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Mine / Iron Mine, Gonzen / Sargans Ores such as hematite, magnetite and hausmannite were mined from a tunnel labyrinth around 90 kilometers long. When the last miners and miners left the Gonzen iron mine in 1966, the roar of the compressors and the rattling of the hammer drills stopped. Since 1983, visitors have had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exciting world of "underground". The ever-changing colors of the imposing ore deposits fascinate you on the tour through tunnels, over galleries, drives and braking mountains, past deep silos, depressions and hidden corners. Text / Source: Pro Gonzenbergwerk Rheinstrasse 22, 7320 Sargans https://www.bergwerk-gonzen.ch/bergwerk-fuehrungen/geschichte
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Frequently Asked Questions
What types of subterranean environments can I explore around Flums?
The region around Flums offers a diverse range of subterranean environments. You can explore natural caves, karst springs, and historical mining tunnels. These sites provide insights into both the natural geological processes and the industrial heritage of the area.
Are there any family-friendly caves or underground attractions near Flums?
Yes, several options cater to families. Tüfels Chuchi is a miniature cave with a forest educational trail, making it suitable for a family outing. While not directly in Flums, the St. Beatus Caves near Interlaken are highly accessible with illuminated paths, a cave museum, and a dragon-themed playground, offering a great family experience.
What historical sites related to caves or mining can I visit?
The Gonzen Iron Mine in Sargans is a significant historical site. This former iron mine features approximately 90 kilometers of tunnels and offers guided tours through its impressive ore deposits. Another historical site is the Landesplattenberg Slate Quarry in Engi, which was an important economic site and is now open for tours, showcasing gigantic underground halls.
What unique natural formations can be found in the caves around Flums?
You can find various impressive natural formations. The Seerenbach Falls and Rinquelle feature one of Europe's largest karst springs emerging from an extensive cave system. Wildenmannli’s Cave, located on the northern slope of the Seluns, is known for its water passages. Further afield, the Höllgrotten Caves near Baar are famous for their rich array of stalactites and stalagmites in various hues, creating a magical underground world.
What should I wear when visiting caves in the region?
Caves generally maintain a cool, constant temperature and high humidity regardless of the weather outside. For example, the Landesplattenberg Slate Quarry has temperatures between 7 and 11 degrees Celsius with 90% humidity. Therefore, it's advisable to wear warm clothing and good, sturdy shoes for traction on potentially wet or uneven surfaces.
Are there any guided caving tours available?
Yes, guided tours are available for several sites. The Gonzen Iron Mine in Sargans offers tours through its historical tunnels. The Landesplattenberg Slate Quarry in Engi also provides guided tours. For a more extensive caving experience, the Hölloch Cave system, though further away, offers a range of guided tours from short hikes to multi-day expeditions.
What outdoor activities can I combine with a visit to the caves near Flums?
The mountainous region around Flums is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including difficult routes like the 7-summit tour Flumserberg. There are also running trails and challenging mountain hikes. Many cave sites, like Tüfels Chuchi, are located along scenic forest trails, perfect for combining with a walk.
How accessible are the caves around Flums by public transport?
Accessibility varies by location. Wildenmannli’s Cave can be reached on foot, with the Selunbahn, or from Alp Sellamatt. For other regional caves like the St. Beatus Caves, public transport options such as boats on Lake Thun or buses are available, often connecting to nearby train stations.
What is the best time to visit the caves in the Flums region?
Caves maintain a consistent cool temperature year-round, making them an excellent destination in any season. They are particularly popular during warmer months as a refreshing escape from the heat, or on rainy days when outdoor activities are less appealing. Spring, after snowmelt, can make waterfalls like Seerenbach Falls particularly impressive.
Are there any caves with unique geological features or records?
While not directly in Flums, the Hölloch Cave system in Muotathal is a world-renowned natural wonder. It holds the record as the second-largest cave in Europe and one of the largest globally, with over 212 kilometers of explored passages. It's known for its unique combination of depth and length, massive network of tunnels, and impressive rock formations including stalactites.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the caves and underground sites near Flums?
Visitors appreciate the diverse experiences offered, from the natural beauty of karst springs and waterfalls at Seerenbach Falls and Rinquelle to the historical insights provided by the Gonzen Iron Mine. The unique geological formations, the cool, refreshing environment, and the opportunity for adventure and learning are frequently highlighted. The komoot community has shared over 195 photos and 188 upvotes for these sites, indicating strong visitor satisfaction.
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