From Munich, there’s a seemingly endless number of worthwhile destinations you can discover on a day trip. Whether mountains, cities, lakes, or gorges, you’re sure to never get bored in Bavaria. If you’re currently looking for your next destination , then the Luegstein Cave Castle might be just the thing for you. This rock cave in Chiemgau is best known as the Grafenloch and is perfect for a short summer hike that you can combine with a trip to the beach.
The legendary cave
The Grafenloch was likely created in the 11th century by knights of the Counts of Falkenstein and was presumably a predecessor to the Auerburg. Its entrance is located at an elevation of 640 meters, and it extends about 19.5 meters deep into the rock. The knights lived in the cave castle on two floors, which were separated from the outside world by a wall. You can still see remnants of the wall and the archway at the entrance today.
Just as with the Stein an der Traun cave castle, an old legend surrounds the Grafenloch. A fortune-teller is said to have predicted that a young Count of Auer would die from a lightning strike. At first, he didn’t pay much attention to her words, but when lightning struck the tower of his castle, he fled to the Luegstein cave castle. There, he initially believed himself to be safe, but one day a thunderstorm suddenly broke out while he was outside the cave. Just as he was climbing the ladder to get to safety, lightning struck him and he was killed. It is said that traces of this event can still be seen on the rock face at this spot today.
A detour to the Grafenloch
Not far from the Grafenloch lies Lake Luegstein, where you can go swimming on warm summer days. You can combine your day of swimming at the lake with a visit to the cave castle that overlooks the lake. Or you can set out on a longer hike along the Auer Höhlenweg trail, where the Grafenloch is located. You can only enter the Grafenloch itself via a 4-meter-high ladder , so you should have a head for heights.
After the climb, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view over the Inn Valley and the Kaiser Mountains. Thanks to the high ceilings, you won’t feel claustrophobic, and you can take your time exploring the rock walls. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a lizard or two before heading back down.
