Rauher Kulm Lookout Tower

Wonderful view from the 25 meter high observation tower to the Fichtelgebirge and the Franconian Jura. This is a volcano that, by the way, never erupted, as did the Kleine Kulm

The ascent to the lookout tower from the east side is recommended.

The Rauhe Kulm is a volcano that never erupted. Deep cracks in the earth's crust, which arose in connection with the folding of the Alps, made it possible for it to form. The dark magma does not come from the earth's crust, but from the upper zone of the earth's mantle from a depth of about 50 kilometers. On the way up, the magma solidified before it reached the earth's surface. After the surrounding rock strata, consisting mainly of Keuper, were eroded, the exposed basalt columns shattered into a debris field around the summit. The Rauhe Kulm is about 21 million years old. Its current shape resembles that of a stratovolcano. The mountain is 682 m high and offers an impressive panoramic view of the Fichtelgebirge, the Franconian Jura and the northern Upper Palatinate from its 25-metre-high observation tower. The mountain is one of the most impressive basalt mountains in Bavaria. It is of geological, nature conservation, historical and touristic importance. At the western foot of the Rauhe Kulm lies the small town of Neustadt am Kulm, on the edge of which the Kleiner Kulm rock formation rises up to 563 m above sea level. NHN raises. From the summit it is about the same distance to 511 m above sea level. NHN high Kühhübel in the east. The Rauhe Kulm has been protected as a natural monument since 1949 and is part of the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park. The observation tower was rebuilt in the late 80s after the old one was destroyed by arson.