Wasserkuppe

The is a mountain within the German state of Hesse. The (950m) elevation, which is a large plateau formation, is the highest peak in the Rhön Mountains. Between the First and Second World Wars great advances in sailplane development took place on the mountain during the interwar period. Near the summit there is still an airfield used by gliding clubs and pilots of light aircraft.EtymologyThe German name is derived from Wasenkuppe, Asenberg or Weideberg and means Pasture mountain.GeographyThe Wasserkuppe lies in the administrative district Fulda 5.3km north of Gersfeld. Other villages nearby are Poppenhausen (4.7km west - south west) and Wüstensachsen (5km east, part of Ehrenberg, Hesse). It is part of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve.The Wasserkuppe sources the spring of the river Fulda (the western source of the Weser) and the river Lütter which joins the Fulda after 50km.The other peaks near the Wasserkuppe are Abtsrodaer Kuppe (north, 905m NN), (east, 831.8m NN) and Pferdskopf (south west, 874.9m NN).