Großer Feldberg  881m, P668m

Großer Feldberg

881m, P668m

Location

Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, Germany

Coordinates

50.2267° N, 8.4508° E

Range

Taunus Mountains (Rhenish Slate Mountains, western Germany)

Description of the mountain and geology

The Großer Feldberg (“Great Field Mountain”) is the highest peak of the Taunus range, which rises north of Frankfurt am Main and forms part of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. The massif is composed mainly of Devonian quartzite, a hard metamorphosed sandstone belonging to the Taunus Quartzite Formation (about 400 million years old). This rock was uplifted and folded during the Variscan Orogeny, later eroded into a series of rounded ridges and high plateaus. The quartzite forms the rugged summit crags, while surrounding slopes consist of phyllite and slate. The region was further shaped by periglacial frost action during the last Ice Age, leaving blockfields and scattered tors that still dot the summit area.

Archaeological, historical, and cultural notes

The Großer Feldberg and nearby ridges were already inhabited and traversed during the Celtic and Roman periods. The mountain overlooks the Limes Germanicus, the Roman frontier line that once marked the edge of the Empire. Several reconstructed Roman watchtowers and forts, such as those at Saalburg and Kapersburg, lie nearby. The peak became an early landmark for travellers between the Rhine and Main valleys. In the 19th century, the summit gained popularity as a mountain resort and observation point, with the first wooden lookout tower built in 1860. The present Feldbergturm, a 40-metre concrete tower with observation deck, was completed in 1902 and rebuilt after World War II. The mountain also houses a major broadcasting tower, visible from Frankfurt and much of Hesse. Culturally, the Feldberg is symbolic of the Taunus region, appearing in local folklore and hiking traditions. The Feldberghaus, a mountain inn near the top, has served hikers since 1860, and the Taunusklub (founded 1868) still organises regular walks and conservation work.

Summit description

The summit of Großer Feldberg is a gently rounded plateau of bare quartzite and thin grassland, open on all sides. It is dominated by the Feldbergturm, a weather station, telecommunications masts, and a small radar dome. The view is extensive: on clear days the Rhine Valley, Frankfurt skyline, Odenwald, and even the Vogelsberg volcanic plateau can be seen. The quartzite bedrock forms low cliffs and frost-shattered blocks around the edges, showing cross-bedding and typical pale-grey colour.

Popular routes to the summit

The most common ascent begins from Oberursel-Hohemark, at the end of the Frankfurt U-Bahn line U3, following well-marked forest tracks via the Kleiner Feldberg (825m, P37m). Another popular route starts at Königstein im Taunus, climbing through mixed beech forest to the summit plateau. Shorter circular walks start from Feldbergpass (Taunusstraße, 758 m), only 2km below the top. The mountain is also accessible by bicycle, and, in winter, attracts cross-country skiers and sledders.

Other items of interest

The Großer Feldberg is home to characteristic Taunus flora, including mountain ash, bilberry, and heather on the summit heath. The nearby Kleiner Feldberg hosts a historic meteorological and astronomical observatory founded in 1913 by the University of Frankfurt. Every summer the mountain hosts the Feldbergfest, celebrating regional culture and conservation. Combining geological prominence, scenic views, and centuries of human presence, Großer Feldberg stands as both a natural and cultural landmark of Hesse.

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