Hoher Stein

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The limestone massif formed in the Palaeozoic era during the Devonian Sea is the oldest rock in the area at around 380 million years old and lies across the main flow direction of the Lörmecke. The extensive limestone deposits once lay like a barrier across the "Ur-Lörmecke" and were hollowed out by the limestone-dissolving water of the stream until the fissure and cave system collapsed over a long distance via
. The collapse valley in the area of the "Hoher Stein" is particularly impressive. Here, a steep, 30-metre-high rock face was excavated and a huge pile of loose limestone rubble was deposited.

The calcareous grasslands are home to plant species such as the spring cinquefoil, the statice orchid and the white swallowwort, a typical inhabitant of rock debris and crevices. The decorative knight bug can be found here; it has specialized
in the swallowwort as a food source. In spring, the impressive singing flight of the tree pipit can be experienced here, and in summer the slopes are home to numerous insects.

A particularly beautiful section of this historically evolved cultural landscape has also been preserved at Hoher Stein. The stately copper beeches on the scree slopes and cliff tops are a characteristic feature of the old hut landscape and are also of great aesthetic appeal. These are so-called grazing beeches: The browsing by cattle leads to the development of a special growth form.

Contact person:

Town of Rüthen

Hochstrasse 14

Tel.02952 / 818 172 / 173

tourismus@ruethen.de

59602 Rüthen

or

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Biologischer Umweltschutz e.V.
Teichstraße 19
59505 Bad Sassendorf - Lohne
Tel.: 02921/969878-0
E-Mail:abu@abu-naturschutz.de