Ochsenkopf (Fichtelgebirge)
Encyclopedia
The Ochsenkopf is the second-highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge
with a height of 1024 metres (3,359.6 ft). On its summit is an observation tower (the Asenturm) and a transmission tower
for VHF and TV programmes by Bayerischer Rundfunk
.
There are cable cars to the Ochsenkopf from south and north. The valley stations are, in the north, in the village of Bischofsgrün
and, in the south, in Fleckl, part of the municipality of Warmensteinach
.
In winter there is skiing on the Ochsenkopf.
In summer a sommerrodelbahn
(dry toboggan run) can be used. This is accessible from the northern valley station. In addition since July 2007 there has been a tree-walk (Kletterwald), that can be used by individuals or groups.
The White Main
- the right-hand, northern headstream of the River Main - rises just a short distance to the east of the mountain, above the village of Fichtelberg as does the Fichtelnaab
, a headstream of the Naab
. The European Watershed
also runs over the mountain. The Naab flows south towards the Danube
, the Main west to the Rhine.
) reported in 1476: Ein bergk, hoch, weitt, wolbekant ligt in Beiern, gnant der Fichtelberg ("A mountain, high, wide and well-known, lies in Bavaria, known as the Fichtelberg"). In descriptions of the border in 1499 and 1536 the mountain is called Vichtelberg, thereafter the name was extended to the whole mountain region. It is also mentioned in old documents: around 1317 the Lords of Hirschberg were enfeoffed inter alia with the walt zu dem Vythenberge. By the 14th century iron ore was being extracted in the St. Veith Pit on the southern foot of the Ochsenkopf. Vyth → Veit → Fichtel. High-profile local history and name researchers have still not had the last word. The name Ochsenkopf appeared in mining deeds for the first time in 1495, when Lorenz von Ploben from Nürnberg was given the mine on the Fichtelberge "near the Ochsenkopf" as a feoff. That may be the first reference to the head of a steer carved into a rock on the suummit, which can still be seen today.
(predecessor of the Fichtelgebirge Club
) there was already an observation post on the Ochsenkopf - a wooden structure for the ordnance survey. In 1876 a stone survey column had been erected (a Saxon survey post, still there today) and surrounded with a wooden scaffold. Later this scaffold was adapted as an observation tower and raised a little in height, but in 1894 the structure was reported as "very rickety". The Fichtelgebirg Club (Fichtelgebirgsverein or FGV) restored the structure time and again. In 1896, master forester, List, from Bischofsgrün modified the tower and it was raised by 10 metres.
On 21 December 1902 the local FGV group in Bischofsgrün applied to the FGV's main office for the construction of a robust, stone tower and transferred a basis of 230 marks as a first estimate. A tower was decided upon, but it was many years before the project could proceed; the First World War putting paid to the plans initially. Not until 1922 did the FGV annual general meeting
, from Sterzing
. In winter they serve the skiing area on the mountain.
with weather shield (2-CLD/B), that runs from Bischofsgrün
in the Fichtelgebirge
mountains in Germany to the summit of the Ochsenkopf
. It was built in 1991.
In summer there is a sommerrodelbahn
(dry toboggan run) on the mountain which is accessible from the middle station of the chairlift
.
with weather shield (2-CLD/B), that runs from Warmensteinach
in the Fichtelgebirge
mountains in Germany to the summit of the Ochsenkopf. It was built in 1997.
In summer cyclists can transport their bicycles to the summit on the lift and bike down the mountain bike single track
route below the chairlift.
Fichtelgebirge
The Fichtelgebirge is a mountain range in northeastern Bavaria, Germany. It extends from the valley of the Red Main River to the Czech border, a few foothills spilling over into the Czech Republic. It continues in a northeastern direction as the Ore Mountains, and in a southeastern direction as...
with a height of 1024 metres (3,359.6 ft). On its summit is an observation tower (the Asenturm) and a transmission tower
Ochsenkopf TV Tower
The Ochsenkopf Transmitter is a 163 metre tall radio and TV tower of reinforced concrete, which was built in 1958 as replacement for a 50 metre tall guyed steel tube TV mast, which collapsed in January 1958 as result of icing, on the summit of the 1024 metre high Ochsenkopf mountain, the second...
for VHF and TV programmes by Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk [Bavarian Broadcasting] is the public broadcasting authority for the German Freistaat of Bavaria, with its main offices located in Munich. BR is a member of ARD.- Legal foundation :...
.
There are cable cars to the Ochsenkopf from south and north. The valley stations are, in the north, in the village of Bischofsgrün
Bischofsgrün
Bischofsgrün is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany.Bischofsgrün is situated within the Fichtelgebirge mountain range between the range's two largest mountains; Schneeberg and the Ochsenkopf...
and, in the south, in Fleckl, part of the municipality of Warmensteinach
Warmensteinach
Warmensteinach is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany.From here there is a chairlift, the Ochsenkopf South Chairlift, to the summit of the Ochsenkopf, the second highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge....
.
In winter there is skiing on the Ochsenkopf.
In summer a sommerrodelbahn
Sommerrodelbahn
A Sommerrodelbahn is a form of dry toboggan run. Located on the side of a steep hill, it may consist of a track or rail upon which cars or carriages run downhill at high speed or simply a concave concrete trough down which participants slide on plastic 'toboggans'.An example of a Sommerrodelbahn...
(dry toboggan run) can be used. This is accessible from the northern valley station. In addition since July 2007 there has been a tree-walk (Kletterwald), that can be used by individuals or groups.
The White Main
White Main
The White Main |Weismain]]), is the larger and shorter of the two headstreams of the River Main. It rises in the Fichtelgebirge and merges near Steinenhausen, southwest of Kulmbach, with the left-hand, southern headstream, the Red Main, to form the Main. The length of the White Main is variously...
- the right-hand, northern headstream of the River Main - rises just a short distance to the east of the mountain, above the village of Fichtelberg as does the Fichtelnaab
Fichtelnaab
The Fichtelnaab is a right-hand, western headstream of the Naab in Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate. It rises in the Fichtelgebirge and flows into the Waldnaab near Windischeschenbach.- Course :...
, a headstream of the Naab
Naab
The Naab is a river in Bavaria, Germany, and is a left tributary of the Danube. It is approx. long, including its main source river Waldnaab....
. The European Watershed
European Watershed
The European Watershed is the line which divides the drainage basins of the major rivers of Germany: the Rhine, which originates in the Swiss Alps and empties into the North Sea via the Netherlands, and the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest and flows eastward emptying into the Black...
also runs over the mountain. The Naab flows south towards the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
, the Main west to the Rhine.
Origin of the name
The name "Ochsenkopf" does not appear in old descriptions of the mountains. The first person to write about the Fichtelgebirge, Matthias von Kemnath (actually Matthias Widmann, b 23 February 1429 in KemnathKemnath
Kemnath is a town in the district of Tirschenreuth, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated near the Fichtelgebirge, 24 km southeast of Bayreuth....
) reported in 1476: Ein bergk, hoch, weitt, wolbekant ligt in Beiern, gnant der Fichtelberg ("A mountain, high, wide and well-known, lies in Bavaria, known as the Fichtelberg"). In descriptions of the border in 1499 and 1536 the mountain is called Vichtelberg, thereafter the name was extended to the whole mountain region. It is also mentioned in old documents: around 1317 the Lords of Hirschberg were enfeoffed inter alia with the walt zu dem Vythenberge. By the 14th century iron ore was being extracted in the St. Veith Pit on the southern foot of the Ochsenkopf. Vyth → Veit → Fichtel. High-profile local history and name researchers have still not had the last word. The name Ochsenkopf appeared in mining deeds for the first time in 1495, when Lorenz von Ploben from Nürnberg was given the mine on the Fichtelberge "near the Ochsenkopf" as a feoff. That may be the first reference to the head of a steer carved into a rock on the suummit, which can still be seen today.
The Asenturm
In 1878 on the foundation of the Fichtelgebirge Section of the German-Austrian Alpine ClubGerman Alpine Club
The German Alpine Club or DAV is the largest climbing association in the world and the eighth largest sports union in Germany. It is organised into 354 legally independent branches with a total of around 815,000 members...
(predecessor of the Fichtelgebirge Club
Fichtelgebirge Club
The Fichtelgebirge Club is a large walking club and local heritage society in Bavaria and recognised conservation group with 20,000 members in 55 local groups. As the name says, its main sphere of activity is in the Fichtelgebirge mountains in north Bavaria...
) there was already an observation post on the Ochsenkopf - a wooden structure for the ordnance survey. In 1876 a stone survey column had been erected (a Saxon survey post, still there today) and surrounded with a wooden scaffold. Later this scaffold was adapted as an observation tower and raised a little in height, but in 1894 the structure was reported as "very rickety". The Fichtelgebirg Club (Fichtelgebirgsverein or FGV) restored the structure time and again. In 1896, master forester, List, from Bischofsgrün modified the tower and it was raised by 10 metres.
On 21 December 1902 the local FGV group in Bischofsgrün applied to the FGV's main office for the construction of a robust, stone tower and transferred a basis of 230 marks as a first estimate. A tower was decided upon, but it was many years before the project could proceed; the First World War putting paid to the plans initially. Not until 1922 did the FGV annual general meeting
Villages around the Ochsenkopf
- BischofsgrünBischofsgrünBischofsgrün is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany.Bischofsgrün is situated within the Fichtelgebirge mountain range between the range's two largest mountains; Schneeberg and the Ochsenkopf...
- Fichtelberg
- WarmensteinachWarmensteinachWarmensteinach is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany.From here there is a chairlift, the Ochsenkopf South Chairlift, to the summit of the Ochsenkopf, the second highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge....
Ochsenkopf lifts
The Ochsenkopf summit is served by two chairlifts built by the Italian cable car manufacturer, LeitnerLeitner Group
Leitner Group is an Italian conglomerate, based in the province of South Tyrol, that owns and runs several industrial and equipment companies....
, from Sterzing
Sterzing
Sterzing is a comune in South Tyrol in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy. It is the main village of the southern Wipptal, and the Eisack River flows through the medieval town.-Origin:...
. In winter they serve the skiing area on the mountain.
Ochsenkopf North Chairlift
The Ochsenkopf North Chairlift is a detachable detachable double chairliftDetachable chairlift
A detachable chairlift or high-speed chairlift is a type of passenger aerial lift, which, like a fixed-grip chairlift, consists of numerous chairs attached to a constantly moving wire rope that is strung between two terminals over intermediate towers. They are now commonplace at all but the...
with weather shield (2-CLD/B), that runs from Bischofsgrün
Bischofsgrün
Bischofsgrün is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany.Bischofsgrün is situated within the Fichtelgebirge mountain range between the range's two largest mountains; Schneeberg and the Ochsenkopf...
in the Fichtelgebirge
Fichtelgebirge
The Fichtelgebirge is a mountain range in northeastern Bavaria, Germany. It extends from the valley of the Red Main River to the Czech border, a few foothills spilling over into the Czech Republic. It continues in a northeastern direction as the Ore Mountains, and in a southeastern direction as...
mountains in Germany to the summit of the Ochsenkopf
Ochsenkopf (Fichtelgebirge)
The Ochsenkopf is the second-highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge with a height of . On its summit is an observation tower and a transmission tower for VHF and TV programmes by Bayerischer Rundfunk....
. It was built in 1991.
In summer there is a sommerrodelbahn
Sommerrodelbahn
A Sommerrodelbahn is a form of dry toboggan run. Located on the side of a steep hill, it may consist of a track or rail upon which cars or carriages run downhill at high speed or simply a concave concrete trough down which participants slide on plastic 'toboggans'.An example of a Sommerrodelbahn...
(dry toboggan run) on the mountain which is accessible from the middle station of the chairlift
Chairlift
An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...
.
Ochsenkopf South Chairlift
The Ochsenkopf South Chairlift is a detachable detachable double chairliftDetachable chairlift
A detachable chairlift or high-speed chairlift is a type of passenger aerial lift, which, like a fixed-grip chairlift, consists of numerous chairs attached to a constantly moving wire rope that is strung between two terminals over intermediate towers. They are now commonplace at all but the...
with weather shield (2-CLD/B), that runs from Warmensteinach
Warmensteinach
Warmensteinach is a municipality in the district of Bayreuth in Bavaria in Germany.From here there is a chairlift, the Ochsenkopf South Chairlift, to the summit of the Ochsenkopf, the second highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge....
in the Fichtelgebirge
Fichtelgebirge
The Fichtelgebirge is a mountain range in northeastern Bavaria, Germany. It extends from the valley of the Red Main River to the Czech border, a few foothills spilling over into the Czech Republic. It continues in a northeastern direction as the Ore Mountains, and in a southeastern direction as...
mountains in Germany to the summit of the Ochsenkopf. It was built in 1997.
In summer cyclists can transport their bicycles to the summit on the lift and bike down the mountain bike single track
Single track (mountain biking)
Single track or singletrack is a narrow mountain biking trail that is approximately the width of the bike. It contrasts with double track or fire road which is wide enough for four-wheeled off-road vehicles...
route below the chairlift.
Sources
- Christoph Schaller: Johann Heinrich Scherbers Umsichten auf dem Ochsenkopf aus dem Jahre 1811, Heft 2/1989 der Schriftenreihe „Das Fichtelgebirge“, Fichtelgebirgsverein e. V., Wunsiedel.
- Dietmar Herrmann: Der Ochsenkopf im Fichtelgebirg, Heft 17/2009 der Schriftenreihe des Fichtelgebirgsvereins, Theresienstr. 2, 95632 Wunsiedel.