Hohenhewen | |
---|---|
![]() |
|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 843.7 m above sea level (NHN) (2,768 ft) |
Coordinates | 47°50′8.5″N 8°44′50.1″E / 47.835694°N 8.747250°ECoordinates: 47°50′8.5″N 8°44′50.1″E / 47.835694°N 8.747250°E |
Geography | |
|
|
Parent range | Hegau |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Kegelberg |
Type of rock | Basalt |
The Hohenhewen, also called the Hohenhöwen or, colloquially, Höwen, is the local mountain of the town of Engen in the Hegau region of southern Germany.
The summit of the Hohenhewen lies at 843.7 m above sea level (NHN), womit rising above the surrounding area by around 300 metres. On its summit plateau are the ruins of Hohenhewen Castle and a viewing platform built on the remains of the oldbergfried, from where the other mountains and hills of the Hegau, Lake Constance and, to the north, the Swabian Jura, can be seen. In good visibility even the Alps and the Black Forest may be made out.
The Hohenhewen may be ascended from Anselfingen to the north or Welschingen to the south. Whilst the northern ascent is fairly wide and comfortable (T1), the climb from Welschingen is much steeper and narrower and requires a certain degree of sure-footedness (T2). Good footwear is recommended.
Like almost all Hegau mountains, the Hohenhewen has a volcanic origin. Its bedrock consists of basalt. A 39-hectare area on the Hohenhewen has been designated a nature reserve since 1982 and its steep eastern mountainside is of particular botanical interest.
The name Hohenhewen is probably of Celtic origin: the Celtic word for a domed mountainto is ceven. It is possible that the mountain, in turn, gave its name to the Hegau region (Hewengew).