The 736 m high Gangolfsberg is located in the Bavarian Rhön, approx. 1 km west of the Schweinfurter Haus and 3 km southwest of the Rother Kuppe. The nearest village to the south-east of the mountain is Oberelsbach on the edge of the Lange Rhön. 

The source of the Elsbach stream lies at the foot of the mountain. There is a ruin at the top of the mountain. These are the foundation walls of the former Gangolf chapel. A prehistoric Celtic rampart can also be found here.

Geologically, the Gangolfsberg is a basalt hilltop that stands on a shell limestone base. The mountain is best known for its basalt columns. One of the best-preserved basalt prism walls in the Rhön, 10 m high, can be found on the steep south-eastern slope. Here, the basalt has solidified to form prismatic columns (5-6 angular). Below is the Teufelskeller, a volcanic chimney. 

The area of the basalt-covered summit, the steep slopes of the Gangolfsberg and the deeply incised gorges of the Elsbach valley were designated as a natural forest reserve back in 1978. This is part of the core zone within the Rhön biosphere reserve. 

In its current size of 75 hectares, rich in beech, oak and noble hardwood, it has existed since 1998. The total ban on exploitation has allowed near-natural forest communities to develop. The forest on Gangolfsberg contains such valuable natural treasures that it has been included in the European protected area network "NATURA 2000". It has been classified as an area of European importance for forest habitats and also as a bird sanctuary.

As early as 1968, a Nature trail which was attractively renovated in 2001. You can discover the unique natural and cultural aspects on a tour. Along the nature trail you will find striking evidence of volcanism in the Rhön with basalt blocks and basalt block fields.

The Gangolfsberg is located on the premium hiking trail Extra tour "Hochrhöntour.