Rhön Mountains, Mountain range in central Germany.
The Rhön Mountains are a low mountain range of about 1,500 km² where Hesse, Bavaria and Thuringia meet, largely volcanic in origin. Its dome-shaped summits are remnants of ancient volcanoes, and the basalt-capped High Rhön plateaus begin at 600 to 700 metres. The highest point is the Wasserkuppe at 950 metres, in Hesse.
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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