Schieferbergwerk Nuttlar
A slate mine at Nuttlar near Bestwig in the Hochsauerland, worked underground from 1878 until 1985. After the pumps were switched off the water rose for about seven years, and today the two lowest of five levels – about 12 km of passages – are flooded. The middle level reaches about 14 m and the lower level about 30 m. Mine carts, rails, pipes and cables lie along the lined galleries, and the sawn slate walls keep the water very clear until someone stirs up the silt.
Facts
- Region: Germany – Mines & Caves
- Area: NRW, Sauerland & North Hesse
- Depth: 0–30 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: low
- Type: cave
- Coordinates: 51.367046, 8.4310454 (approximate)
- Highlights: flooded mine: about 12 km of passages on the two lowest of five levels, middle level max about 14 m, lower level up to about 30 m, water about 7–8 °C all year, mining relics: mine carts, rails, pipes, cables and old lighting wiring, sawn slate walls and a chamber 'as big as a house', permanent guideline systems (yellow and red systems), very clear water
- Permit: The mine is private property; diving only with permission from Bergwerktauchen UG and advance booking. Independent dives need Full Cave / mine-diver certification from a recognised agency (other agencies or Cave 1 level: check dive), at least 100 logged cold-water dives, a dive medical no older than two years and valid insurance. Without certification only a guided cavern trial dive. Fees on their own site: day ticket for certified cave divers €69, cavern trial dive €69, guidance for technical divers €129 per dive. Check current terms.
- Issuer / contact: Bergwerktauchen UG (Bergwerktauchen Nuttlar)
- Phone: +492393220430
- Email: info@bergwerktauchen.de
- Address: Briloner Straße 48a, 59909 Bestwig (dive site); Amecker Str. 16, 59846 Sundern (postal)
- Website: https://www.bergwerktauchen.de/
- Tips: Diving only through Bergwerktauchen Nuttlar, with advance booking; open April–November on Saturdays and Sundays 09:00–18:00. Without cave training you can do a guided 45-minute Cavern trial dive (from OWD, cold-water protection, two separate regulators, at least two lights, dive medical, diving-accident insurance; about 50 dives recommended). Certified full cave divers of recognised agencies (e.g. IANTD, NACD, NSS-CDS, GUE, ISE, UTD, PATD, CMAS CH) buy a day ticket; others need a check dive. No rental at the mine – arrange gear in advance via Tauchschule Sorpesee in Sundern. Scooters and solo diving are banned; check in and out. Closed in winter (bat hibernation). Check current terms.