Herkelstein
| Herkelstein | ||
|---|---|---|
 View from the Herkelstein over the Cologne Bay |
||
| height | 434.5 m above sea level NHN | |
| location | North Eifel Nature Park | |
| Mountains | Eschweiler mountain range | |
| Coordinates | 50 ° 34 '24 " N , 6 ° 42' 15" E | |
|
||
 View of the summit |
||
The Herkelstein is a 434.5 m high elevation in the northeastern part of the Eifel ( North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany ), forms the highest point of the Eschweiler ridge and is located in the North Eifel nature park . Geologically, the area is to be assigned to the Kalkeifel , the Herkelstein itself - like the stone formation of the Kakushöhlen - consists of Devonian limestone. It lies between the villages of Weiler am Berge and Holzheim (Mechernich) . From there there is a distant view of the Cologne Bay .
The vegetation on the Herkelstein is made up of coniferous and mixed forests , meadows and arable land . The Krebsbach rises at the foot of the Herkelstein and flows into the Feybach in Breitenbenden . Several years ago several lime kilns were found on the northeast slope of the Herkelstein near the village of Weiler am Berge .
Recreation
The Herkelstein is accessible by several hiking trails. From the summit there is a distant view of the Jülich and Zülpich Börde. In winter, the Herkelstein is a destination for tobogganers from the region. There are also two slopes with different inclinations. The two slopes are on the L499 state road.
Legend of Hercules and Kakus
At the highest point of the elevation there is a stone formation that inspired the local population to create the regionalized version of the legend of Hercules and Kakus. A giant named Kakus is said to have once lived in the Kakus caves near Mechernich- Eiserfey . He is said to have raged there by killing cops with his bare hands and tyrannizing the people badly. Now Hercules , who was passing through from distant Greece, is said to have taken care of the problem, and the two giants fight. The two are said to have pelted each other with large boulders, which can be found today on the Herkelstein as well as in the Kakushöhle several kilometers away. Finally, Hercules killed Kakus with a boulder in close combat. However, he himself was seriously injured, but was able to drag himself to the hill behind the village of Holzheim. A few days later he died from his wounds. The grateful people buried him on the hill and named his final resting place after him. It still bears this name today - the Herkelstein.