Blautopf
Blaubeuren, Germany
A karst spring of startling blue, the outflow of a vast cave system beneath the Swabian Alb. Park in town and walk a few minutes; the colour is strongest in sunshine.
The Blautopf ("Blue Pot") in Blaubeuren is the source of the River Blau and a spring pool of the Swabian Alb karst system. It is about 21 m deep; the discharge varies greatly with rainfall, according to the town from around 290 l/s up to 32,000 l/s. The blue colour comes from very fine limestone particles that scatter the light; it looks best in sunshine. The Blautopf cave leads off from the spring pool, and it was here that Jochen Hasenmayer discovered the Mörike Dome in 1985; diving is permitted only with a special licence. The historic Hammerschmiede (forge) stands on the bank. Eduard Mörike worked the legend of the "Schöne Lau" (Beautiful Lau) into his writing here.
Important (as of October 2026): the site has been under reconstruction since August 2024, and the work is expected to last until December 2028. After an initial closure, the spring pool has been accessible again since 15 January 2025 via temporary scaffold bridges, with restrictions due to the building work. Ask the town of Blaubeuren beforehand what is currently accessible.
- Nearest town
- Blaubeuren, Germany
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 48.4166, 9.7851
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Campingplatz HeidehofCampsite7 km from BlautopfTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Ulmer Paddler e.V. ZeltwieseCampsite15 km from BlautopfTentsElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Wohnmobilstellplatz EhingenMotorhome stopover16 km from Blautopf · 12 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-FiFree
- Alb-CampingCampsite17 km from Blautopf · 900 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Hofgut HopfenburgCampsite21 km from BlautopfTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Biolandhof WalterCampsite22 km from BlautopfTentsElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Blautopf?
Blautopf is in Blaubeuren, Germany, at GPS 48.4166, 9.7851. It is about 6 km from Schelklingen.
Can you camp near Blautopf?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Wohnmobilstellplatz Blaubeuren, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 31 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Blautopf?
Blautopf is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube.
What is there to see near Blautopf?
Places worth a stop nearby: Uracher Wasserfall (32 km), Lichtenstein Castle (39 km), Hohenzollern Castle (61 km) and Dinkelsbühl (83 km).
When is the best time to visit Blautopf?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)