Weißenstadt lies in the Fichtel Mountains Nature Park, a granite range steeped in legend, full of myths and magic.
The Fichtel Mountains Nature Park is one of Germany’s low mountain ranges and lies in north-eastern Bavaria. Morphologically, it is made up of several ridges that together form a horseshoe-shaped massif. This is why people also speak of the Fichtel Mountains Horseshoe. The main parts are
- the High Fichtel Mountains with the Schneeberg, Ochsenkopf and Kösseine massif
- the northern ridge with the Waldstein, Epprechtstein and Kornberg
- the southern part with the Steinwald, Reichswald and Kohlberg, and the
- inner Fichtel Mountains plateau.
To the north-east of the Fichtel Mountains lie the Ore Mountains, and to the south-east the Upper Palatinate Forest, the Bohemian Forest and the Bavarian Forest. To the north-west, the Franconian Forest and Thuringian Forest are clearly distinct geologically. To the south-west lies the Franconian fault-block country, which is morphologically completely different.
Geology of the Fichtel Mountains
The Fichtel Mountains are a “granite range” with peaks over 1,000 m, surrounded and interspersed by a mantle of older crystalline schists. In the south, the range is pierced in many places by volcanic systems from various periods. Rock and mineral collectors will find a wide variety of evidence of the Earth’s history here within a very small area.
Rivers and waters of the Fichtel Mountains
In former times, the Fichtel Mountains were called the “navel of Germany” or the “heart spring of Europe”, because four major rivers rise here and flow off towards the four points of the compass:
- White Main
- Saxon Saale
- Eger
- Fichtelnaab
Numerous protected moors and marshes act as valuable water reservoirs. The European Main Watershed between the North Sea and the Black Sea runs across these uplands.
Hiking and tourism in the Fichtel Mountains
With their extensive spruce forests, granite peaks with boulder fields and rock towers, and superb panoramic and long-distance views, the Fichtel Mountains are an ideal area for holidays and relaxation. 3,600 km of waymarked trails lead to the region’s natural beauty spots and sights. Here nature and culture meet, offering a wide range of things to do – whether a hike, a museum visit or a theatre performance on Germany’s most beautiful open-air stage.
Aims of the Fichtel Mountains Nature Park
Like national parks and biosphere reserves, nature parks are large protected areas. Unlike national parks, which protect nature that is largely untouched by humans, nature parks aim to preserve the cultural landscape shaped by people. They promote extensive and traditional forms of land use and support nature-friendly recreation and sustainable tourism through hiking trails, cycle paths and cross-country ski trails.
You will find full information about the Fichtel Mountains Nature Park at
https://naturpark-fichtelgebirge.org