ルッパーツベルクの湖・トップ20

So no one has to slip through the fence to take photos

Something really great was built there. The platform was newly installed and now you have a great view of the quarry and the lake.

Since June 2024, there has been an observation platform on the edge of the Nordbruch crater lake, which offers a great view of one of the two basalt lakes. Information board no. 7 next to the viewing platform tells the interesting story of this quarry: "The basalt deposit around Forst is 820 m long and 260 m wide and is slightly dumbbell-shaped. The Margaretental runs through the middle of the deposit, which is why the basalt had to be mined in TWO separate quarries. The north quarry was the first to be opened up in 1841, but production there was only for the quarry's own needs. Five years later, in 1846, mining also began in the south quarry. In 1897, mining in the north quarry was stopped until a lease agreement with the municipality of Forst made further mining possible in 1911. A 2800 m long cable car was built to transport the extracted rock, which ended directly at the railway line near Deidesheim and was only replaced by a transport road in 1969. Mining in the south quarry was stopped in 1964. In December 1990, operations in Nordbruch finally ceased. Following the closure, both sites were recultivated and officially returned to nature in 2011."

Platform with a great view of the basalt lake deep in the crater. Now nobody has to climb over the fence anymore 😉

There is also a small hut not far away. Please bring your own delicious beer or wine.

The lake is frozen over in winter when it has been cold for a longer period of time. You can admire the sunset when the sun goes down and the sky is not full of clouds. Boy oh boy. In May you can hear fat toads croaking here; absolutely beautiful.

An idyllic little park with a pond and a very tall water fountain – and a beautiful view of the historic "Königsmühle" building, a former grain and oil mill. This building is now owned by the "Camphill Lebensgemeinschaft Königsmühle" (Camphill Königsmühle Community) for people in need of physical and mental care, who live here in small residential units and on a long-term basis and work in craft workshops. More information: https://camphill-rheinland-pfalz.de/ ADDITION: The "Königsmühlen Café" has been open here since summer 2025: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Great sight if you're tall enough to look over the edge. Not visible to children. Luckily it was completely cordoned off due to the brittle edges. Impressive crater!