Oberelsbach and Hochrhön

The starting point is the information center "House of the long Rhön" in Oberelsbach (405m). Follow the path in the northern direction past the church (Rhönbasilika) to the miniature golf course, then follow the Schweinfurter house way to the Rhönklubhütte Schweinfurter house (refreshments available). Here at the Schweinfurt House the nature trail Gangolfsberg begins, you should already bring some stamina and sturdy footwear. After 500m there is a huge basalt column wall in front of you that looks like honeycombs and prisms. Shortly thereafter, turn right onto a basalt stone path to the Teufelskeller, a natural cave under a boulder about 3x5m in size and 1.5m high. The effort on the steep climb is rewarded in good visibility with a panoramic view to the grave field. Also at the Gangolfsberg there was a basalt quarry, a little further on the summit you can still find remnants of the foundations of the Gangolf Chapel (735m). On the other side of the mountain the trail goes down again and then along the Elsbach up to the High Rhön. Cross the Franzosenweg at the Haus der Rhönfee and shortly thereafter you will reach the Steinerne Haus at the Basaltsee (745m). Here you will have the possibility to take a break (kiosk at Basaltsee) before continuing to the Heidelstein (905m), in good weather you have a view up to the Gleichbergeb and the cooling towers of the nuclear power plant at Grafenrheinfeld. On the Heidelstein is a memorial made of natural stones of the Rhön club. The destination is now in sight, the chimney with bus stop from Hochrhönbus.