The 20 Most Amazing Peaks around Selb

As part of the Royal Saxon Triangulation survey of Saxony between 1862 and 1890, Kapellenberg was selected as a first-order reference point in 1864. In June 1865, a surveying column was erected on the summit. A wooden scaffolding was built around it, which has since served as a vantage point for hikers and was later expanded into an observation tower. The 5.80-meter-high historic surveying column is preserved inside the tower, where it extends from the ground floor through the ceiling to the first floor. It bears the inscription "Kön. Sächs. Station KAPELLENBERG der Mitteleuropa. Gradmessung 1864."

The first observation tower, designed by architect Gustav Zimmermann, was built in 1931. It was closed to the public in 1968 after the Prague Spring because the Soviets installed a radar station there. From then on, it served solely as a military observation tower. On November 1, 1982, the tower, supposedly dilapidated, was blown up by demolition experts from the Oelsnitz hard stone works on behalf of the Oelsnitz civil defense. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany, efforts were made to rebuild the tower. The new observation tower was designed according to the old plans, but has a larger floor plan and is slightly taller. The new tower was inaugurated on June 19, 1993. From its observation platform, one can see as far as the Kaiserwald, the Ore Mountains, the Upper Palatinate Forest, and the Fichtel Mountains.

The Kapellenberg was first mentioned in a document in 1261, when the bailiffs of Weida, Plauen, and Gera pledged to Count Palatine Ludwig the Bavarian not to build a castle here or anywhere else in the Egerland region. However, there must have been a fort here at the beginning of the 15th century, as it is reported that it was occupied by mercenaries of Elector Frederick of Saxony. The remains of this fortress, known as the Alter Wall, can still be seen today. At 759 meters, the Kapellenberg is the highest elevation in the Elster Mountains. Geologically speaking, however, it belongs to the Fichtel Mountains in Upper Franconia.

The Kohlberg (632 m above sea level) south of Arzberg is also called the Sugarloaf. The 32 m high Waldenfelswarte observation tower offers a wonderful view of the surrounding area. Binoculars and panoramic overviews that can be used free of charge help with orientation. The Waldenfelswarte is the highest observation tower in the Fichtel Mountains.

Gigantic view of the Fichtelgebirge and in the direction of Kirchenlamitz, Rehau, Hof and Schönwald. The tower spirit at the entrance is happy about a small donation, but there is no fixed entrance fee and the tower is open all year round.

The Hohe Stein in the Fichtelgebirge is always worth a visit when hiking, if only because of the view, is right on the hiking trail, the ladder is securely anchored in the rock, you are only unsecured at the exit.

The Epprechtstein castle ruins are always worth a visit on a hike, if only because of the breathtaking view and the flair of the region. On our last tour we used the time to take a break.

In 1961, the 21 meter high Waldenfelswarte observation tower was erected on the Kohlberg by the local Arzberg Fichtelgebirge association. It was named after Ernst Freiherr von Waldenfels, who provided 900 square meters of land for the construction. In 2017, the tower was raised another 12 meters to 33 meters. This makes it the highest lookout tower in the Fichtelgebirge Association.