950 m. above sea level, the Wasserkuppe rises in the Rhön Biosphere Reserve. It is not only the highest mountain in the Rhön, but also the highest mountain in Hesse!

It is located in the district of Fulda near the towns of Gersfeld, Poppenhausen and Wüstensachsen. From here, numerous hiking trails wind their way up the Wasserkuppe past more than 30 springs that spring up around the mountain, including the Fuldaquelle. From the summit of the Wasserkuppe, the view extends far beyond the Rhön landscape in good weather.

Fun for the whole family

The highest mountain in the Rhön is an ideal destination for excursions in any weather. In summer and when the weather is fine, the summer toboggan run and climbing park are great fun. If there is too much wind, a visit to the German Aviation Museum is recommended. In winter, the Wasserkuppe is ideal for tobogganing, skiing and snowboarding.

Mountain of the aviators

It's windy on the Wasserkuppe. Also known as the "mountain of aviators," it is considered the cradle of gliding. In 1911, students from Darmstadt made their first flight attempts here. One of the landmarks of the Wasserkuppe, the Fliegerdenkmal, commemorates all those who lost their lives while flying and is as much a part of the Wasserkuppe as the first German Gliding School, which was opened on the mountain in 1925. With around 20,000 take-offs, the Wasserkuppe is number 1 in the popularity scale of German aviators.

Radome

A relic from days long past stands unmistakably on the Wasserkuppe. The white radar dome is the last of what used to be five domes. During the Cold War, they served as a radar station for airspace surveillance of the US Air Force. Due to its close proximity to the inner-German border, this base was of particular strategic importance. After German reunification, the facility became redundant and was therefore closed. Today, it serves as a venue for concerts and exhibitions, but also for private celebrations. The interior and the 360° viewing platform are open to visitors.