Wildenmannlisloch (Paleolithic living cave)

Wildenmannlisloch is a karst cave in the municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann, in Switzerland's Toggenburg region (canton of St. Gallen), and one of the country's high-altitude Paleolithic sites. Its entrance sits at roughly 1,635 m above sea level on the northern flank of Selun, the westernmost peak of the Churfirsten range. The cave is cut into Seewerkalk limestone and opens to the northeast.

Why does this cave matter?

It is a reference point for research on Ice Age life in the Alps. The first written account comes from Johann Heinrich Scherrer, the priest of Alt St. Johann, in 1703. The name Wildenmannlisloch appears in print in 1819, in a booklet about Zwingli's birthplace. Emil Bächler first entered on 15 July 1906 and found cave bear bones. When illicit digging followed, a scientific excavation was organised, and Bächler directed it from 1923 to 1927.

What was found inside?

According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (HLS), the dig produced about thirty stone tools made of Eocene glauconitic quartzite and red radiolarite. Alongside them lay remains of Alpine fauna, including cave bear and cave lion. The lower layers date to the last glaciation but could not be dated more precisely.

Bächler's conclusions drew debate. He held that Neanderthals hunted cave bears here. Koby challenged that reading in 1954, and in 1955 Elisabeth Schmid re-examined the results, describing a cave-bear layer between sterile clay and loess levels.

How do you get there?

Start in Starkenbach and ride the Selunbahn cable car to its upper station. The cave entrance lies about 400 m away, a walk of roughly 10 minutes according to showcaves.com. Entry is free (2024 information). The cave is natural and unlit, so bring a headlamp, sturdy shoes and a warm layer, as it is cool inside.

When should you visit?

At this altitude the season runs from late spring to autumn, when the cable car operates and trails are clear of snow. Check the Selunbahn timetable before you travel. The visit combines easily with a short walk along the northern slope of the Churfirsten.

What else is worth seeing?

The Toggenburger Museum in Lichtensteig hosts a special exhibition, "Dem Neandertaler auf der Spur: 100 Jahre Grabung im Wildenmannlisloch", running from 27 September 2025 to 20 December 2026. It complements a trip to the cave with the story of Bächler's excavations.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Wildenmannlisloch? No. As of 2024 the cave is free to enter. You pay only for the cable car.

How long is the walk from the upper cable car station? About 10 minutes, covering around 400 m.

Who excavated the cave? Emil Bächler, who first explored it in 1906 and led the digs from 1923 to 1927.

What was discovered there? About thirty stone tools and bones of Alpine animals, including cave bear and cave lion.