Hortenkopf, Mountain summit in Palatine Forest, Germany

Hortenkopf is a 606.2-metre hill in the Palatine Forest, on the boundary between Hofstätten and Leimen. Its summit is topped by a transmission tower that makes it recognisable from afar. The hill lies on the Palatine Watershed, where the divide between the Moselle and Rhine drainage turns southwest towards Gräfenstein Castle.

The Hortenkopf is the second southernmost of four peaks over 600 metres in the Frankenweide, with the Weißenberg to the south and the Mosisberg and Eschkopf to the north. At its summit the Palatine Watershed turns southwest towards Gräfenstein Castle, separating the Moselle and Rhine drainage basins.

The transmission tower on the summit is visible from far away and serves as a distinctive landmark for the region. The structure shapes the mountain's appearance and is recognized by hikers as a defining feature of this massif.

The trails to the summit are clearly marked and connect with other routes through the region's continuous ridges. Hikers should bring sturdy footwear and weather-resistant clothing, as the exposed ridgeline can be windy and conditions change quickly.

At the summit the Palatine Watershed bends from north to southwest toward Gräfenstein Castle. The Wüstbach rises with four springs on the southeast flank and reaches the Rhine via the Wellbach and Queich, while the Wieslauter's northern headstream starts on the southwest flank.