Fuchskaute

The Fuchskaute is an extinct volcano and, at 657.3 m above sea level (NHN)^[1], the highest mountain of the Westerwald and the county of Westerwaldkreis in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Fuchskaute
The Fuchskaute from the west with its north (left) and south (right) tops; Foreground: the houses of Bretthausen, behind: Willingen
Highest point
Elevation	657.3 m above sea level (NHN) (2,156 ft) [1]
Prominence	222 m ↓ AS Haiger/Burbach (A 45)[2]
Isolation	27.7 km → Jagdberg (Rothaar Mountains)
Listing	highest mountain in the Westerwald
Coordinates	50°39′34″N 8°06′09″E
Geography
Fuchskaute Westerwaldkreis, Rhineland-Palatinate,
Parent range	Hoher Westerwald, Westerwald, Germany
Geology
Mountain type	Extinct volcano
Rock type	Basalt

The name Fuchskaute ("foxhole") refers to a place where the fox (Fuchs) had its den (Kaute).

Geography

Location

The Fuchskaute rises in the High Westerwald, a plateau of the Westerwald which, in turn, is part of the Rhenish Massif. It is about halfway between Bad Marienberg in the west and Breitscheid in the east and lies in the parish of Willingen. The state boundary with Hesse runs along its eastern slopes and that with North Rhine-Westphalia lies a few kilometres to the north. Just under 3 km north-northeast is the tripoint of the states of Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. Several streams rise on its flanks, including the Nister (Große Nister).

Towers

There used to be an observation tower on the Fuchskaute from where views of the Westerwald and other local countryside could be enjoyed.

Amateur radio services formerly operated two transmission towers on the south top of the Fuchskaute.^[3] These operations ceased in early 2021.

See also

• List of volcanoes in Germany