Falkenstein (Thuringia)
Encyclopedia
The Falkenstein lies southeast of the small town of Tambach-Dietharz
in Schmalwasser bottom (Schmalwassergrund) and is the most important rock formation in the Thuringian Forest
in central Germany. It consists of porphyry
(rhyolite
and andesite
). On the valley side the crags are 96 metres (315 ft) high. Because of its situation on the side of a hill (the uphill side has a height of about 25 metres (82 ft)) it appears most striking when one stands immediately in front of it.
The area, which is near the Rennsteig
climbing path, has a very montane climate due to its height. The Falkenstein was first climbed in 1852 by the Tambach glassmaker, Jacob Zimmermann. Since then it has become a rock climbing site with climbing routes of varying grades. The rock is best reached on foot or bicycle by taking the road from Tambach-Dietharz
(closed to traffic) which runs along the Schmalwassergrund past the Schmalwasser Reservoir - a distance of about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). At the foot of the Falkenstein there is a mountain rescue hut.
Tambach-Dietharz
Tambach-Dietharz is a town in the district of Gotha, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated in the Thuringian Forest, 19 km south of Gotha.- Places of interest :...
in Schmalwasser bottom (Schmalwassergrund) and is the most important rock formation in the Thuringian Forest
Thuringian Forest
The Thuringian Forest running northwest to southeast, forms a continuous stretch of ancient rounded mountains posing ample difficulties in transit routing save through a few navigable passes in the southern reaches of the German state of Thuringia. It is about long and wide...
in central Germany. It consists of porphyry
Porphyry (geology)
Porphyry is a variety of igneous rock consisting of large-grained crystals, such as feldspar or quartz, dispersed in a fine-grained feldspathic matrix or groundmass. The larger crystals are called phenocrysts...
(rhyolite
Rhyolite
This page is about a volcanic rock. For the ghost town see Rhyolite, Nevada, and for the satellite system, see Rhyolite/Aquacade.Rhyolite is an igneous, volcanic rock, of felsic composition . It may have any texture from glassy to aphanitic to porphyritic...
and andesite
Andesite
Andesite is an extrusive igneous, volcanic rock, of intermediate composition, with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. In a general sense, it is the intermediate type between basalt and dacite. The mineral assemblage is typically dominated by plagioclase plus pyroxene and/or hornblende. Magnetite,...
). On the valley side the crags are 96 metres (315 ft) high. Because of its situation on the side of a hill (the uphill side has a height of about 25 metres (82 ft)) it appears most striking when one stands immediately in front of it.
The area, which is near the Rennsteig
Rennsteig
The Rennsteig is a ridge walk as well as an historical boundary path in the Thuringian Forest, Thuringian Highland and Franconian Forest in central Germany....
climbing path, has a very montane climate due to its height. The Falkenstein was first climbed in 1852 by the Tambach glassmaker, Jacob Zimmermann. Since then it has become a rock climbing site with climbing routes of varying grades. The rock is best reached on foot or bicycle by taking the road from Tambach-Dietharz
Tambach-Dietharz
Tambach-Dietharz is a town in the district of Gotha, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated in the Thuringian Forest, 19 km south of Gotha.- Places of interest :...
(closed to traffic) which runs along the Schmalwassergrund past the Schmalwasser Reservoir - a distance of about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). At the foot of the Falkenstein there is a mountain rescue hut.
Source
- Zimmermann, W. et al. (1990). Thüringer Wald. Kleiner Naturführer. = Gothaer Museumsheft - Abhandlungen und Berichte des Museums der Natur Gotha, Lfd. No. 9, Gotha, ISSN 0138-1857