Genovevahohle (in german)
Our first Juneteenth was spent hiking!
One to get out and enjoy a free non-work day and
Two to get out of the hot house during our heat wave.
This location also provided shade, so we went with it!
Choosing the location on our GPS made it simple to get to, but upon almost reaching our destination the directions lead you to a forestry road...
Well, no way were we walking 4 km in 89 degree weather, so we drove the car closer!
Parked directly by the Eifelkruez/Eifel Cross and were thankful.
We still had 1km to hike, but not 4.
There were few signs showing us which trail leads to the cave, but
we believe they all truly did, but at different hiking levels.
We first took the walking path to get there. It was obvious, but did have fallen trees, debris and a steep incline in places. At each intersection/pathway choice we prayed we didn't pick the wrong one leading us off track to our main goal.
On our return to the car route, we took a farm/forestry tractor road.
The hike was smoother and took us on switchback turns, but
was better in the long run for the heat and our exertion levels.
Still no signs truly telling us we were in the correct direction
to the Eifel Cross where we parked.
Definitely trust Dale and his sense of direction! NOT ME!
We arrived back at the car unscathed and had a little picnic refresher.
While there, it was obvious that we weren't the only questionable hikers.
Two groups of guys were hiking and trying to figure out the trail as well, so
now I don't feel so bad that we were confused. lol
Enjoy the pictures
One to get out and enjoy a free non-work day and
Two to get out of the hot house during our heat wave.
This location also provided shade, so we went with it!
Choosing the location on our GPS made it simple to get to, but upon almost reaching our destination the directions lead you to a forestry road...
Well, no way were we walking 4 km in 89 degree weather, so we drove the car closer!
Parked directly by the Eifelkruez/Eifel Cross and were thankful.
We still had 1km to hike, but not 4.
There were few signs showing us which trail leads to the cave, but
we believe they all truly did, but at different hiking levels.
We first took the walking path to get there. It was obvious, but did have fallen trees, debris and a steep incline in places. At each intersection/pathway choice we prayed we didn't pick the wrong one leading us off track to our main goal.
On our return to the car route, we took a farm/forestry tractor road.
The hike was smoother and took us on switchback turns, but
was better in the long run for the heat and our exertion levels.
Still no signs truly telling us we were in the correct direction
to the Eifel Cross where we parked.
Definitely trust Dale and his sense of direction! NOT ME!
We arrived back at the car unscathed and had a little picnic refresher.
While there, it was obvious that we weren't the only questionable hikers.
Two groups of guys were hiking and trying to figure out the trail as well, so
now I don't feel so bad that we were confused. lol
Enjoy the pictures
Quick Information and Legend of the Cave
Millions of years ago, erosion, wind erosion and frost blasting defied the sandstone
to form this shell-shaped cave in the massive rock.
The rock section offered people protection from all kinds of
dangers of nature- presumably for thousands of years.
This is evidenced by finds from the Paleolithic and Roman wall sherds
to ceramics from the Middle Ages and even modern times.
People built smaller huts in the interior of the cave.
Once, the terraced natural structure could only be reached by ladders,
ropes or climbing timbers - this thus also protected the inhabitants from wild animals.
The widest part of the cave is about 15 m, the ceiling is about 8-10 m above the floor.
The steps to the cave were only carved into the rock by the Eifelverein in 1910.
During a rest on the rock terraces, you can experience the sheltering feeling for yourself.
Caves have always had something mystical about them and have been the stuff of legends.
And the Genoveva Cave also owes its name to a legend.
It is said that Count Palatine Siegfried married Genoveva, the daughter of the Duke of Brabant.
When Siegfried returned from a war, the steward Golo accused the countess of infidelity.
Genoveva was then to be killed together with her son, but was able to flee with the child into the woods, where the two led a miserable life in the shelter of this cave.
Years later, the Count Palatine found the two of them again during a hunt and took them back, repentant and full of joy.