| The Kahler Asten is an 841.9 meters high mountain, near the village of Altastenberg. It is the third highest mountain in the region (the highest mountain, Langenberg, is 843.1 meters). There is an observation tower on the summit of the Kahler Asten called the Astenturm (Asten tower). From the platform of the tower, which is 862 m above sea level, there is a superb all-round view over the Rothaargebirge and other parts of the Sauerland. There is a permanent weather station at the Asten tower which is part of the weather bureau at Essen. It has contributed significantly to the public's awareness of the mountain. Since October 2008 visitors can learn more about the mountain at the Asten tower through an exhibition from the LWL Museum of Natural History (immediately next to the hotel-restaurant). The central themes of the exhibition are the nature reserve with its mountain heath, the weather station and the history of the Asten tower. The summit of the Kahler Asten is part of a mountain heath. Because many rare and threatened species live there, it has been placed under conservation protection as part of the Kahler Asten nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation (48.69 ha). Hardly any trees grow on the heath, because the vegetation is kept short by sheep grazing. Kahler Asten is located in the Rothaargebirge (also called the Rotlagergebirge), a low mountain range reaching heights of up to 843 meters, in the district of Hochsauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The ... |
