The 5 Most Amazing Peaks around Mettweiler

The Potzberg, known as the "King of Westrich", is a wooded hill, 562 m above sea level, in the North Palatinate Uplands in Rhineland-Palatinate. (Source: Wikipedia)

At the Nahekopf, hikers can enjoy a sheltered picnic area and a beautiful view of parts of the military training area and the Kaiserallee. Information panels detail a Celtic-Roman excavation that took place on the mountain plateau in 2015. Source: https://www.outdooractive.com/de/poi/nahe/nahekopf/52969627/

𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝘇𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗴 The Potzberg is a 562m high wooded mountain in the North Palatinate Uplands and is nicknamed "King of Westrich". Today the Potzberg wildlife park, the Potzberg tower, a military tower and a hotel are located on the summit. The Potzbergturm is a 53.5m high viewing and transmission tower. Originally, a 18.5m high radio antenna on the platform completed the structure. The radio programs of what was then Südwestfunk were broadcast from here until the 1990s. The approx. 30ha large area of the wildlife park offers, favored by its altitude, an indescribable panorama of the North Palatinate mountains, with a visibility of more than 30km. Source: text information board

𝗡𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗸𝗼𝗽𝗳 On the Nahekopf there was a Celtic fortification measuring approximately 300m x 300m from the Late La Tène period (5th and 1st century BC). This is an era of the later pre-Roman Iron Age in large parts of Central Europe. The La Tène culture is considered "Celtic" primarily due to ancient textual sources. Parts of the massive circular wall, the probable location of the gate, and traces of settlement were archaeologically recorded in 2008. On the Celtic foundations, the Romans built a fortification, which, based on finds, was dated to the mid-3rd to 4th century. It is a reconstruction of the Roman gate system, unique in the region on the left bank of the Rhine, and the creation of an avenue of the most important Roman emperors. A space for cultural events is also planned. Source: Text information board

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐫 From a geological point of view, the »Steinernes Meer« is a heap of scree made from weathered material from the Weiselberg. From a geological point of view, this sea of rocks at the foot of the mountain is a work of the Ice Age. The last ice age only ended around 10,000 years ago. Magma rising underground got stuck under the earth's surface and solidified into mostly pentagonal column formations, quite typical of slowly cooling basalt rock. Over the course of millions of years, the surrounding softer sedimentary rock was removed by erosion. In geology, the very hard rock, which shines deep black when cut and is reminiscent of a starry sky with its bright feldspar particles, has been given the name »Weiselbergite«. The frost change climate during this geological epoch caused extreme weathering and erosion processes that were able to separate the blocks and columns weighing several tons from the rock structure. Not least because of the extreme daily temperature fluctuations, the steep southern slope of the Weiselberg with the typical vertical basalt columns offered the best conditions for the formation of the Felsenmeer. The boulders collected on the mountainside and have since been exposed to weathering. Covered with mosses, the »Steinernes Meer« repeatedly gave rise to eerie legends: Whether wild cyclopes played with it or the remains of an enchanted castle are left to the imagination of the observer. The Romans were already digging for agates on the surface of the Weiselberg. From the 15th century, when only little was to be found above ground and a veritable agate boom began, the agate seekers went deep. Some tunnels buried today bear witness to this. After the war there were concrete considerations to dismantle the Weiselberg as a quarry. This was prevented by the designation as a nature reserve in October 1950. In earlier times, the minerals of this region such as agate, chalcedony, jasper and petrified wood were processed in the gemstone metropolis of Idar-Oberstein. 3000 of these precious stones can be viewed in the Mineralogical Museum in the old school in Oberkirchen (0 68 55/332) and in the Mineral Museum (2000 exhibits) in Freisen (0 68 55/13 25). In the Gemstone Dorado in Freisen, treasure hunters can search for gemstones themselves. (0 68 55/1849 31) Source: Text information board

𝐊𝐮𝐫𝐳𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐠 The approximately 16 km long Weiselberg summit tour in Oberkirchen leads through a varied hilly landscape around the Weiselberg (569m). Light-flooded beech forests allow spectacular views over and over again. Mighty rock formations, a waterfall and many other natural gems promise an eventful hiking tour. Particularly impressive are the "Eulental", a narrow Kerbtal, the "Steinern Cabinet", the Oberkirchen Viaduct, the Weiselberg summit with wonderful views and the "Steinernes Meer" on the Weiselberg. You can refresh your tired feet at the water treading facility in Oberkirchen. A visit is recommended In the natural game park Freisen with a bird of prey show. The wonderful Weiselbergbad Oberkirchen invites you to relax at the end of the hiking tour. The two mineral musts in Freisen and Oberkirchen show many local rocks. Source: Text information board Starting point: Weiselbergbad Oberkirchen Route length: 15.6km Elevation gain: 565 m Difficulty level: medium Walking time: 4 - 5 hours Recommended walking direction: counterclockwise 𝐖𝐞𝐠𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐠 https://www.urlaub.saarland/Media/Touren/Weiselberg-Gipfeltour

The Nahekopf is a great elevation with a great view! There is a rest area with a refuge, wellness loungers and the Kaiserallee.

As part of the culture and regional concept of Rhineland-Palatinate, a modern replica of a Kaiserallee has been created on the Nahekopf.