The Kitzkammer is a natural monument – a rock niche between basalt columns. At the end of the Tertiary period (around five million years ago), thin lava penetrated through cracks in the earth's surface and crystallized perpendicular to the cooling surface, creating pentagonal and polygonal (blue) basalt columns. The resulting transverse columnar basalt can be clearly seen in the Kitzkammer. The Kitzkammer itself is one of these chimneys.

Translated by

•

Annika

December 26, 2021

Hiking

The Kitzkammer got its name from a fairy tale about Mother Holle - Kitz does not stand for fawn, but for cats.
In winter you should take every step carefully, because it can get very slippery.

Translated by

•

Gabi

September 20, 2024

Hiking

According to legend, Mother Holle imprisoned young girls here and turned them into kittens.

Translated by

•

Nearby routes

Best routes near Kitzkammer Basalt Cave

4.8

(484)

1,619

hikers

#1.

View from Schwalbenthal – Seesteine Natural Monument loop from Hausen

15.9km

05:00

600m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.7

(27)

hikers

#2.

Seesteine Natural Monument – Meißnerhaus Naturfreundehaus loop from Kasseler Kuppe

6.73km

01:56

160m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.8

(12)

hikers

#3.

Ramsthals Pass Rock Formation – Kitzkammer Basalt Cave loop from Meißner

5.55km

01:36

130m

140m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 670 m

Weather

Tuesday 5 May

15°C

9°C

70 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Location: Hessisch Lichtenau, Werra-Meißner-Kreis, Kassel District, Regierungsbezirk Kassel, Hesse, Germany

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Kalbesee

Frau-Holle-Teich and Frau Holle Sculpture

View from Kalbe Summit (Hoher Meißner)

Moss-Covered Basalt Field (Moossteinmeer)

Frau Holle Loipe Hoher Meißner

Doline

Drachenflugclub Meißner Startplatz Uengsterode-West

Waldgedanken-Pfad

Haus Halde and Mining History at Hoher Meißner

Wildflower Meadows at Meißnerhaus

Trigonometrischer Punkt Kasseler Kuppe

Ramsthals Pass Rock Formation

Kitzkammer Basalt Cave

#1.

View from Schwalbenthal – Seesteine Natural Monument loop from Hausen

#2.

Seesteine Natural Monument – Meißnerhaus Naturfreundehaus loop from Kasseler Kuppe

#3.

Ramsthals Pass Rock Formation – Kitzkammer Basalt Cave loop from Meißner

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️