Rhön Mountains, Mountain range in central Germany.
The Rhön Mountains spread across Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia, showing rounded peaks of dark volcanic rock next to gentle hills of pale limestone. Open plateaus alternate with wooded valleys, while streams run through meadows and small villages sit on the slopes.
Medieval monks called the area Buchonia for its beech forests that supplied timber to settlements and monasteries. Farmers later cleared land for pastures, creating the open highlands that now shape the view across the region.
Shepherds guide Rhön sheep across open grasslands, continuing a tradition that supplies wool and meat to local farms. Markets sell smoked ham and tangy cheese made from milk collected in the hills, offering travelers a taste of methods handed down through families.
Hiking trails run through valleys and over summits, with some climbs requiring stamina and others gently following meadows. Weather can shift quickly, so visitors should wear layers and be ready for sudden rain.
The Wasserkuppe rises to 950 meters (3117 feet) and holds Germany's first gliding school, training pilots in motorless flight since the 1920s. Thermal currents over the open slopes allow gliders to stay aloft for hours and cover long distances without propulsion.
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