You have several options at Steinkaulenberg in Idar-Oberstein. You can tour the mine (which is the only mine in Europe open for visitors), walk the geological trail, or go mining in the "prospect fields." We chose not to tour the mine since we were on a tight schedule.
We got to the mines a few minutes before they opened (we didn't have a reservation) and we were able to get into the first time slot. After a quick introduction at the field (or something or other, it was all in German), you are given a shovel and a bag with two small stones inside (just in case you don't find anything). We had no problems finding stones though!
The kids had a blast! You are given a 2-hr. time slot but after the first hour pretty much everything was picked over.
Once we had our bags full we hopped back in the car and headed to Bad Sobernheim to check out the Barefoot Path....
Awesome.!
ReplyDelete