Glessener Höhe, Summit at Bergheim, Germany
Glessener Höhe is a summit in Bergheim rising 204 meters above sea level and covered with poplar, beech, birch, oak, and spruce trees on its slopes. The forested slopes create a mixed woodland environment that changes character with the seasons.
This elevation was created between 1955 and 1970 from materials extracted during brown coal mining at the Fortuna open-pit mine. The summit thus represents a landscape transformed through industrial activity in the region.
The summit cross here hosts an ecumenical service on Ascension Day, bringing together Protestant and Catholic congregations from the surrounding area. This annual gathering reflects how the community uses this elevated location for shared spiritual moments.
Several marked hiking paths lead to the summit, with a wooden staircase called Himmelsleiter offering 350 steps to reach the top. The routes are well signposted and easy to navigate for visitors of various abilities.
The summit features a visitor book where hikers record their arrival after reaching the highest point between the Eifel and Bergisches Land regions. This logbook captures the stories of countless visitors who have made the climb over the years.
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