Hohenstoffeln, Volcanic mountain in Hegau region, Germany
Hohenstoffeln is an extinct volcanic cone in the Hegau, a region in southern Baden-Württemberg not far from Lake Constance. The mountain has two peaks, the higher of which reaches around 844 meters, and stands out clearly from the flat land around it.
The mountain formed millions of years ago when rising magma broke through the surrounding rock layers and hardened. In the 19th century, large sections of it were altered by basalt quarrying, until protection measures eventually brought that activity to a halt.
A large cross stands on the summit and can be seen from far across the surrounding plain, making the mountain a reference point for people in the region. Walkers often head up specifically to reach that spot and look out over the Hegau landscape and Lake Constance.
The mountain is accessible via marked hiking trails that approach the summit from several directions. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as some sections are steep and can be slippery when wet.
Quarrying in the 19th century removed so much rock from one of the two peaks that it is now noticeably lower than it was before work began. The difference in height between the two peaks is therefore not a natural feature but the result of human activity.
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