DURATION

  • 2 days

PRICES

  • CHF 195.00 for pupils (10-15 years)
  • CHF 275.00 for students (16-19 years)
  • CHF 455.00 for adults (from 20 years)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • dive into the underworld and away form civilisation for two days
  • cosy fondue evening and overnight at the comfortable cave bivouac
  • no special knowledge required, but very good fitness
  • a winter favourite (available from November until March)

FURTHER INFORMATION

It’s an opportunity to unwind and get away from civilisation for a couple of days. Longer tours heighten the senses and make such tours a more intense experience. Longer tours also give us the opportunity to look deeper into the cave’s uniqueness. We’ll have time to talk about the earthworm “Octolasium transpadanum” or the “Niphargus” a little amphipod. Discover the miraculous “gallery 800” or “Arabian nights”, traverse the “Höllental” with its fantastic dripstones. You’re moving though a world of rock formations more than 120 million years old which were formed and shaped over the past million years!

The bivouac is our little island of comfort in this isolated subterranean world. Particular emphasis was placed to environmental issues when building the bivouac. However – there’s running water in the kitchen and there are toilets (even though special ones). There’s comfortable spots to sit and cosy places to sleep at with optimal insulation.

Nothing better or cosier than a chat over a lovely fondue. And often just before we go to sleep, when all is quiet and the lights are out we cannot help but to reflect on the fact of being thousands of meters inside a mountain in another world.

The next thing you know will most probably be the lovely smell of coffee on the next morning. A healthy breakfast later we’re on the way to discover more of this magical world of the Hölloch.

Prices per person in CHF

Adults (from 20 years) CHF 455.00
Youths (16-19 years) CHF 275.00
Pupils (10-15 years) CHF 195.00

Optional

Rental cave overall CHF 35.00
Illustrated Hölloch anniversary book (special price) CHF 48.00

Including: Certified cave guides, entrance fee Hölloch, helmets, headlamps, rubber boots, cave gloves, harness, dinner and breakfast (incl. drinks) at the cave, parking fee at the restaurant Hölloch, VAT

Availability: The tour can be organised from roughly November until March (winter months). Meeting on the first day is at 10.00 h and finishes on the last day at roughly 17.00 h. 

Weather: In uncertain weather conditions (temperatures too high / heavy rain/thaw the tour will have to be postponed to a later date. Of course we will contact you one or two days prior to the tour to discuss the options. 

Duration: 2 days. 

Reservation: mandatory

Group size: This expedition can be organised for a minimum of 5 persons. A normal group size is usually 5 – 9 persons. Single persons can join an existing group.

Meeting point: Hölloch centre, Muotathal.

Requirements: This tour requires a very good level of physical fitness. Exposed areas are secured with ropes, ladders, bridges etc. Caving experience is recommended. 

Bring along: 

  • Warm socks; thermal underwear (long sleeves & underpants) or turtle neck jumper and leggings as a base layer*. Top layer: warm and not the newest wear & tear proof jumpers, jackets and pants. Some clothes in reserve for your journey home since your cave clothes might be a bit dirty after the tour. (Alternatively you can rent a cave overall for CHF 35.00 per person).
  • 2 Lunches and drinks in your flask (no glass flasks). Drinking water is available and your flask can be refilled.
  • Energy bars (nuts, raisins) 
  • Sturdy backpack (min. 40 – 50 l).
  • For your stay at the bivouac: headlamp or torch (batteries in reserve), woolly hat, warm jacket, sleeping bag (ideally one that’s suitable to temperatures to -9°C), spare underwear and socks
  • If available, bring your knee pads

* Please note – the temperature in the cave is constantly 6°C, the air humidity at almost 100%. As long as we’re on the move, everyone should feel warm enough. However if you easily get cold, maybe wear a mid-layer over your thermals.  

GENERAL INFORMATION HÖLLOCH

With more than 200 explored kilometers in length, the Hölloch is one of the world’s largest cave systems.

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 explore today on our various tours.

For people who fear that claustrophobia might be a problem we can reassure to some extend: There are a number of narrow spots, however, for people who fear comfortable travelling in a normal 4 person lift, there shouldn't be any anxiety issues. For the small percentage of people with stronger claustrophobia we refer to our guided short trips.

Fear of heights: You will be adequately secured in all those areas that are a little more exposed. Your guide will also be able to help and assist.  

The temperature is a constant 6 degrees Celsius and the humidity is close to 100 %. 

The Hölloch cave ist situated in 6436 Muotathal, in the area of Stalden.

Arrival by car: you can use the parking in front of the  restaurant Hölloch in Muotathal/Stalden. The coordinates for your navigation system are: "Stalden 15, 6436 Muotathal" or "Restaurant Hölloch, Muotathal". The road to the parking lot at the restaurant Hölloch can also be reached with bigger coaches.

Click here for Route Planner

Arrival by public transport: by train to Schwyz and from there take the bus no. 501 to “Hölloch, Muotathal”.

Click here for Swiss Train & Bus Timetable

Can I visit the Hölloch unguided?

No. The Hölloch is not generally open for public and you will need a specialised guide for a tour.

Are there any toilets at the Hölloch?

On longer or multi-day tours there are certain spots that are equipped with a toilet and of course at the Dom bivouac (with limited comfort of course).

Can one smoke in the Hölloch?

The air at this cave is wonderfully clean. In earlier days there were talks of offering cures for lung patients. It would be a shame to spoil the good and healthy breathing air. We do ask you to refrain from smoking (if possible). On longer tours with overnights at the bivouac some exceptions can be granted if not possible otherwise.

Can I bring my dog on a guided short tour?

No, you cannot bring your dog or pet. Also for the safety of your furred friend. 

Do I need climbing experience to go on a Hölloch tour?

No. All the spots that would involve climbing are equipped with ladders and ropes. So no climbing experience required, however a basic physical fitness is of advantage.

Can I cancel my booking for a Hölloch tour?

As soon as you've made a definite booking and we've confirmed it, the contract is binding and subject to the terms and conditions listed. Cancellations need to be made in written and by indicating the reasons for a cancellation.
The following cancellation fees apply:
29-20 days prior to the tour: 20 % of the full price.
19-14 days prior to the tour: 50 % of the full price.
13-1   days prior to the tour: 80 % of the full price. Same day cancellations will be charged with 100 % of the full tour price.

Please check our Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen

Safety First

Our motto is very simple: "Safety First"!
Indeed we offer many adventurous programmes, but when it comes to your safety, we are no adventurers. We've worked this way for more than thirty years now and have no intention to change our ways on this subject. Trekking Team was the first outdoor company in Switzerland to receive the security certificate "Safety in adventures."

The company's senior management is actively involved in all programmes and takes full responsibility for all areas of security and checks the compliance with the company's security concept on a regular basis. We prioritise the training of our staff and put guides in charge who are trained and specialised for the specific areas and activites. Guides are trained and certified by the Swiss Outdoor Association (SOA) and for the cave part by the speleology school "Schweizerische Schule für Höhlenbefahrungen Hölloch" (SSH).

Short Tour 

This is not something you do every day. This was a unique experience for our team. Especially, turning off our lamps in the middle of the cave. 🙂 I will recommend this event to other departments for sure.

Jordi, Oktober 2022

Short Tour with cave raclette and fire show

It was an unforgettably beautiful, exciting and interesting event! The atmosphere at the raclette dinner is a dream, the service was great. The Fire Devil was a complete success!
We would like to thank all contributors for the super effort. All 25 guests were thrilled. Also the barbecue we were allowed to use at the end of the party was very nice. Many thanks for EVERYTHING

Ruth, July 2022

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.

Hölloch Outdoor

Thank you very much for the unforgettable event, which the whole company enjoyed very much. It was exciting, adventurous, fun and very informative. We are happy to recommend you.

 
Stefan, Mai 2022

Hölloch Parcours

 
Everything was top! I will certainly recommend the tour and possibly even book a longer tour. It was just great, thank you for this great experience!

Anna, September 2021

Hölloch Short Tour

Our guide was extremely competent, very entertaining, great. He fully met our requirements in every respect. His explanations were adapted to our level of knowledge. They were well understandable, interesting and peppered with genuine Muotathal humor. He succeeded in presenting his enormous knowledge about the formation of the cave, about geology, about the exploration of the cave, about the fauna in the cave in a way that fascinated all participants. It was a pure joy to listen to him and his inspiring way of leading spread to the whole group in no time. This could also be seen from the many questions asked by the participants. On behalf of my colleagues, but also on my own behalf, thank you very much for this unique tour.

 

John, August 2020