Hochstein (Elstra)

Hochstein
View of Hochstein near Elstra
Highest point
Elevation448.9 m (1,473 ft)[1]
Coordinates51°10′50″N 14°06′47″E / 51.18056°N 14.11306°E / 51.18056; 14.11306
Geography
Hochstein
Germany
Hochstein
Hochstein (Saxony)
LocationSaxony, Germany
Parent rangeWest Lusatian Hill Country and Uplands

Hochstein (also known as Sibyllenstein) is a small, forested mountain in the district of Bautzen in Saxony, southeastern Germany.[1] With an elevation of about 449 m (1,473 ft), it is described as the highest summit of the North-West Lusatian hill country (Nordwestlausitzer Hügelland).[2][3]

The mountain lies east of Pulsnitz and near the town of Elstra.[1]

Geography

Hochstein forms a prominent wooded summit within the gently rolling uplands of West Lusatia. The surrounding relief is characterised by a dense pattern of short valleys and ridges typical of the West Lusatian hill country.[2]

The summit area includes exposed rock formations; the traditional name Sibyllenstein is associated with these outcrops and local tradition.[4]

Geology

The wider region belongs to the Lusatian basement and is characterised by intrusive rocks, including varieties of granodiorite documented for eastern Saxony.[5] A major geological structure of eastern Saxony is the Lusatian thrust (Lausitzer Überschiebung), separating the Lusatian crystalline complex from younger sedimentary units of the Cretaceous basin to the south and west.[6]

Hydrology

The Black Elster river rises on the Hochstein above the locality of Kindisch in the Upper Lusatia region.[7]

Access

Hochstein is a local hiking destination. Marked walking routes connect the summit area with nearby villages and points of interest in the West Lusatian landscape protection area.[8][9]

Cultural notes

Early 20th-century regional literature describes the Hochstein/Sibyllenstein as a notable viewpoint and records local traditions connected with the summit rocks.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Geoportal Sachsenatlas – Karte (Hochstein)". Geoportal Sachsenatlas (GeoSN) (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Landschaften – Nordwestlausitzer Hügelland". oberlausitz.de (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Hochstein • Berggipfel (verifizierter Inhaltspartner)". Outdooractive (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Der Sibyllen- oder Hochstein (1904)". Wikisource (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Das cadomische Gebirge in Sachsen". geologie.sachsen.de (LfULG Sachsen) (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  6. ^ "Lausitzer Überschiebung am Hockstein". geologie.sachsen.de (LfULG Sachsen) (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  7. ^ "Auswertung Niedrigwasser – 2018, 2019 und 2020 (Spree, Schwarze Elster und Lausitzer Neiße) (PDF)" (PDF). LfULG (Sachsen) / MLEUV (Brandenburg) (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  8. ^ "Tourismus – Stadt Elstra". Stadt Elstra (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  9. ^ "Wandertipp Hochstein–Schwedenstein". VVO-Navigator (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.