Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
We have been operating the Schauinsland Mine for over 40 years. Since 1st August 1997 we have also been running the Schauinsland Mining Museums and we therefore benefit from a wealth of experience. Here are a few of the most common questions asked by our customers. If you have any other queries, we’ll be happy to respond on our
Telephone-Hotline: +49 (761) 2 64 68 Tuesday-Sunday from 10am.
GENERAL QUERIES
Is a tour of Schauinsland Mining Museums dangerous?
No, even the guided tours including ladder descents (1.5 hr and 2.5 hr) are no more dangerous than any other leisure activity. Tens of thousands of enthusiastic visitors every year are testament to this.
No reservations/no special tours are directly bookable via our website
The booking of special tours or reservations can be easily done via e-mail, phone, letter or fax (contact us). The reason is that we would like to offer our visitors some counselling.
You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your reservation and our invoice with separately shown VAT. Booking becomes effective with your transferring of the invoice amount. Special tours always require prepayment.
What is Schauinsland Mining Museum?
It is a modern, authentic visitor mine and the last active mine in the southern Black Forest. It is also a listed cultural property with an underground geotope of international standing.
Our “standard tours” include guided visits of 45 minutes, 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours and thus an unusually varied programme. With around 30,000 visitors annually, it is the largest of the 14 visitor mines in the entire Black Forest.
Does a visit to the Mining Museum require particular physical fitness?
Normal levels of physical fitness are perfectly sufficient. For visitors with below average fitness we recommend the 45 minute tour.
Anyone who is still reasonably good on foot and manages the access road can at least take the 45-minute tour. There are even opportunities to sit down along the way.
What about claustrophobia?
Common levels of claustrophobia, which about a third of the population suffer from, do not rule out a visit to the Mining Museum. We are experienced in dealing with a wide variety of people and are patient and supportive.
In cases of extreme (!) claustrophobia, which is only an issue for a small percentage of the population (inability to use a lift), a visit to the Mining Museum is not to be recommended.
Are there good transport links to the Mining Museum?
The Mining Museum is situated at the top of Schauinsland Mountain which is at the heart of excellent transport links and easily reachable via public roads from any direction. There are plenty of free parking spaces on the summit. From the city of Freiburg, it takes around 30 minutes to reach the summit by car.
There is also the Schauinsland Cable Car and various public buses.
Can very anxious people visit the mine?
Usually yes, at the very least they can take part in the 45 minute tour. All tunnels on this tour are very wide and well-lit and run along even terrain (partly with rails).
I want to bring a group of 80 people. Is that a problem?
No, not at all. We are able to run year round guided tours of the Mining Museum for groups of up to 150 persons, anytime from 9:00 till 20:00 (start time). You will however have to book in advance.
For 1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tours, we take groups of up to 30 persons, for the 45 minute tour up to 50 persons.
What mining equipment do you provide for the longer 1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tours?
If you take part in tours involving ladder ascents and descents, we will provide you with professional mining safety equipment
- safety helmet (to prevent you knocking your head)
- gloves (for the steel rungs on the ladders)
- Headlamp (the no longer manufactured electric “ladies model” Friwo 14 202 with 14 A-h capacity, liquid potassium hydroxide electrolyte and nickel-cadmium battery. These are checked regularly.)
For the 45-min tour you will only get a safety helmet (we also provide children’s sizes) because there is sufficient ceiling height along this route through the Mining Museum.
I’ve had a few drinks – can I still take part in a tour?
Persons who are inebriated are not permitted to take part in mine tours. People who have been drinking heavily are also excluded from a Schauinsland cable car ride.
What about ruthless behaviour and wilful damage?
If you cause wilful damage, you will be held liable for costs and excluded from the rest of the mine tour immediately. The same applies to ruthless behaviour.
What’s the most cost-effective way to reach the Schauinsland?
On foot, by carpool or by SBG bus line 7215 starting from Kirchzarten train station or Freiburg Hbf (main train station) on which you can use the “Regiokarte”. Between the middle of May and the end of September this bus line goes all the way to the top cable car station nearly every hour on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Why don’t you offer more standard tours?
The programme we offer is based on demand. In addition, with around 30,000 visitors annually, we are by far the largest of the 14 visitor mines in the entire Black Forest.
We have to make compromises which are important for the economic operation of the Mining Museum. We also offer special tours almost every day throughout the year (winter half-year November to April not on Sundays or public holidays). As a result, we can also cater for smaller groups on their individual desired dates, at affordable prices.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Is it possible to turn around at any point during a tour of the Mining Museum?
Yes, it is possible to turn around at any point. Please speak to your tour guide.
I have recently undergone major surgery and I am convalescing.
Our 45-min tour should not present a problem.
What if I am 6 months pregnant?
Our 45-min tour should not present a problem.
I am unable to move one of my hands properly due to an injury.
Our 45-min tour should not present a problem.
Is it necessary to have a good head for heights for the 1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tour?
No, it is not necessary to be free from vertigo, even on guided tours with ladder descents (1.5-hr and 2.5-hr). The ladders on the descents and ascents are offset from one another and there is nowhere you will have to look at greater depths.
What about first aid?
Our mine guides are trained in first aid (immediate measures at the site of the accident) and undergo regular refresher training. The guides carry dressing material which is also available on all visitor mine levels.
How strict are the minimum age requirements for 1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tours?
We make exceptions for children from the age of 10, provided they have sufficient physical fitness. However, no children under 10 years old will be allowed to participate in 1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tours.
There is no minimum age requirement for the 45-min tour!
What about hygiene and maintenance of safety equipment?
Defective interior fittings on our helmets with clips for the head parts of the electric miner’s lamps (1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tours) are taken out of service and replaced immediately. In addition, the entire helmet is checked and cleaned on a regular basis. In general, protective equipment is subject to frequent replacement.
TIMINGS & ORGANISATION
Is the weather a factor with regards to tours of the Mining Museum?
Our mine tours are independent of weather conditions. In the underground mine, the temperature remains constant at +10 °C all year round, with high humidity.
How long are the tours of the Mining Museum?
We keep to the scheduled times.
Please arrive
- 15 minutes before the scheduled tour start for standard tours,
- a few minutes before the start if you have booked a special tour,
at the entrance to the Mining Museum at the top of Schauinsland Mountain.
The 2.5-hr children’s birthday, if starting at 14:00, will go on until 16:30 – 16:45 latest, including the BBQ.
Can we join someone else’s special tour?
No, because special tours are mostly booked as company or club trips or by private groups who want to stay amongst themselves. We cannot simply add strangers to such groups.
We are a group travelling up especially from Pusemuckl and would like a tour of the Mining Museum.
Book a special tour in good time beforehand with your full postal address and mobile number. Even with fewer than 10 people, a 2-hour special tour is a good deal and you will have an experience that is tailored to your wishes.
Can I carry a rucksack on a tour of the Mining Museum?
Only if the rucksack doesn’t restrict your movement and usually only on the 45-min tours.
We provide a space where you can store backpacks, bags, etc. in the access area. Please do not leave any valuables there. Store backpacks and other items at your own risk.
Why do you recommend early booking for special tours?
Recommendation: During high season from July onwards, please book at least 4 weeks in advance, otherwise we might not be able to provide a tour on your desired date.
We can however often book special tours at short notice.
Is it possible to extend the BBQ for children’s birthdays?
Unfortunately no, the pit with its forecourt is private property and is subject to our due diligence. The site is closed in the evenings.
What is the price of a tour of the Mining Museum made up of?
Staff, materials, advertising, write-offs, minor administration costs. Our mining equipment is subject to considerable wear and tear. On top of this there are hidden additional costs such as insurance and the annual lease to the municipal forest office which we unfortunately have to pay for the use of the Mining Museum. We had to rediscover it and have been maintaining it at our own expense ever since.
Without the idealism of all staff involved in maintaining our Mining Museum and providing our tours, it would not be possible to offer them at such reasonable prices.
I would like to book a special 45-min tour for a group of pupils for 125 € (5 € per pupil).
You would be very welcome, but this offer is only open to children and primary school pupils (1st to 4th grade). From 5th grade onwards (age 10 and above) we recommend the exciting 1.5-hr special tour with ladder descents and electric mining lamps for 300 €, each additional pupil +12 €, which offers considerably more than other visitor mines.
The 45-min special tour for pupils from 5th grade onwards costs 175 € for up to 25 persons, each additional person +7 €, no matter whether these are children or adults.
Why do we use hardly any mining terminology?
We avoid special mining terms on our tours. Rides (ladders), soles (levels) etc. are aplenty in the Schauinsland. In the more general part of this website you will find hardly any of them though.
What mining equipment do you provide for the longer 1.5-hr and 2.5-hr tours?
If you take part in tours involving ladder ascents and descents, we will provide you with professional mining safety equipment
- safety helmet (to prevent you knocking your head)
- gloves (for the steel rungs on the ladders)
- Headlamp (the no longer manufactured electric “ladies model” Friwo 14 202 with 14 Ah capacity, liquid potassium hydroxide electrolyte and nickel-cadmium battery. These are checked regularly.)
For the 45-min tour you will only get a safety helmet (we also provide children’s sizes) because there is sufficient ceiling height along this route through the Mining Museum.
Should we expect any issues when driving up to the Mining Museum?
The Mining Museum is at the top of Schauinsland Mountain and travelling by car or public transport (bus) generally does not pose any problems. There are public roads leading up to the Schauinsland from every direction and there are plenty of free parking spaces on the summit. There are, however, regular operational downtimes in the spring and autumn where the Schauinsland cable car is out of action for several weeks for its refit and in the event of a storm, the cable car does not run for safety reasons.
Can 5 adults come along to a children’s birthday?
Yes of course – up to 3 (adult) accompanying persons can come along for free. Any additional adults, as well as additional children, will be charged the additional child’s rate at the Mining Museum.
