Hirtstein

The Hirtstein seen from the southeast

The Hirtstein ( 890 m above sea level) is an extinct volcano in statute in the Upper Erzgebirge in Saxony, near the German - Czech border in the Erzgebirge District. He is best known for its remarkable geology basalt - bearing rock formation that was exposed by a quarry. On the summit is a historic station of the Royal Saxon triangulation of 1863.

Geology

The peculiarity of the Hirtsteins, the natural monument and viewpoint is, is the caused by a basalt intrusive basalt fan that has the shape of an oversized flower or palm frond. This " palm fronds " was prädikatisiert in May 2006 by the Academy of Earth Sciences to Hannover as one of the 77 most important national geological sites in Germany.

The basalt subjects was exposed by quarrying. The more and more come to light in the course of the quarry company colonnades of basalt were already in the late 19th century the idea of ​​the need to protect the fore. In negotiations with the owners of a considerate degradation of the rock has been obtained, so that geologically valuable points remained.

History and ways

At the top is the Hirtsteinbaude a well-known in the region Ausflugslokal. The inauguration of the Hirtsteinbaude with restaurant and several hotel rooms took place on 11 September 1927.

Several cross- country ski trails are groomed in the winter On Hirtstein. Over the hill leads hory the cross-country highway Erzgebirge / Ore. Directly at the cottage there is a small ski, snow tubes and toboggan slope with a lift.

Information panel on the Geotop

The Hirtsteinbaude

Station 85 Hirtstein the Royal Saxon triangulation