Location and surroundings
Großer Feldberg belongs to the Taunus, within the Rhenish Massif, Central Uplands and Central European Highlands. It is in Germany, in the region of Hesse, and within the municipality of Schmitten im Taunus in Hochtaunuskreis. At 880 m, it is the highest of the 200 named peaks in the Taunus and the range’s high point.
The mountain rises in the Taunus highlands, where the summit area is open and the slopes fall away into surrounding wooded ridges and lower hills. Nearby settlements include Schmitten to the north, with Oberursel, Kronberg, Königstein and Glashütten around the mountain on different sides.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named summits and passes show how Großer Feldberg dominates its immediate ridge system:
- Kleiner Feldberg (peak), 825 m, 1.3 km SW
- Weilsberg (peak), 701 m, 1.9 km W
- Krimmelberg (hill), 640 m, 2.4 km N
- Altkönig (peak), 798 m, 2.8 km SE
- Sängelberg (peak), 665 m, 2.9 km NW
- Weißer Berg (hill), 660 m, 3.0 km NE
- Kolbenberg (peak), 684 m, 3.0 km E
- Hühnerberg (peak), 636 m, 3.1 km NW
It is higher than all of these, with the nearest major companion being Kleiner Feldberg, which forms part of the same Feldberg massif.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, several other high points shape the skyline around Großer Feldberg. The most notable are Glaskopf at 687 m, 3.2 km SW; Dillenberg at 682 m, 1.7 km N; Pferdskopf at 663 m, 6.7 km N; Ringenkopf at 637 m, 3.7 km NE; Weisse Mauer at 634 m, 3.1 km E; and Fauleberg at 633 m, 3.8 km N.
These are all lower than the summit, so the top of Großer Feldberg remains the main high point in the area. On clear days the open summit gives wide views across the Taunus and beyond, with the surrounding ridges stepping down in every direction.
The range
Großer Feldberg belongs to the Taunus, the highland range whose highest peak is this mountain itself. The Taunus contains 200 named peaks, and Großer Feldberg ranks first among them by elevation. The massif is part of the wider Rhenish Massif in the Central Uplands of Central European Highlands.
The mountain is also the high point of the Taunus as a whole, so it serves as the range’s reference summit. Its position on the main ridge makes it one of the most prominent summits in the region, with the Kleiner Feldberg close by as the best-known neighbour.
Access and starting points
Common approaches start from Schmitten im Taunus, Oberursel or the Feldberg area. Easy marked trails lead to the summit, and no technical climbing is required. From nearby trailheads, the walk is usually about 1-2 hours, depending on the chosen route and pace.
The summit area is a familiar excursion point for walkers in the Taunus, so access is generally straightforward for hikers used to forest paths and steady uphill walking. In winter, conditions can change quickly on the exposed top.
Climate and weather
Climate data for the summit are estimates from NASA POWER climate data. The warmest month is July, at about 16 °C on average, and the coldest is January, at about -2 °C. Mean temperatures above freezing at the summit usually occur from March through November. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 650 mm, with the wettest month in May at about 70 mm and the driest in April at about 40 mm.
Weather hazards are typical of an exposed mid-mountain summit in central Germany: wind, cloud, rain, winter frost and occasional snow or ice. The top is cooler than the surrounding lowlands, and conditions can change quickly between the ridge and the valleys.
Best time to visit
For walking, the most reliable season is usually from spring through autumn, when summit temperatures are more often above freezing and the trails are generally easier to use. On Großer Feldberg, that means roughly March to November at the summit, with the milder months offering the best chance of comfortable conditions.
Late spring and summer are the most practical times for longer visits, while autumn can still be good if the weather is settled. In winter, the exposed summit is colder and more changeable, so ice, wind and poor visibility become more important.
Nature and wildlife
The summit area of Großer Feldberg is open and windswept compared with the wooded slopes below, and the surrounding Taunus is a landscape of mixed forest, ridges and upland clearings. At this elevation in central Germany, beech and mixed woodland dominate lower down, while the top itself has a more exposed, rocky character.
Typical wildlife in the region includes forest birds, deer and smaller mammals adapted to upland woodland. The mountain lies within the Heilklimapark Hochtaunus, which reflects the local climate and landscape rather than a wilderness setting.
Guides and organised ascents
For Großer Feldberg, a certified mountain guide is usually not necessary for a normal hike, because the summit can be reached on marked trails without technical climbing. A guide can still be useful for winter conditions, poor visibility, group outings or if you want a structured walk in the Taunus.
In Germany, the national mountain guide association is the Association of German Mountain and Ski Guides (Verband Deutscher Berg- und Skiführer, VDBS), an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). Established guiding companies include DAV Summit Club in Munich and Bergsteigerschule Zugspitze in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Safety and preparation
The mountain is not technically difficult, but its exposed summit and changeable weather mean you should still prepare for wind, rain, cold and reduced visibility. Good footwear, layered clothing and enough food and water are sensible even for a short hike, especially outside summer.
For mountain rescue in Germany, call 112; the Bergwacht is alerted through that number. Police use 110. On the summit and ridges, mobile reception is often better than in the forested valleys, but you should still download maps before setting out.
History and name
The name Großer Feldberg simply means “Great Feldberg.” It has long been a well-known summit in the Taunus, and its open top has attracted walkers for generations. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mentioned climbing the mountain in his writing, which shows how early it was already part of the regional landscape of excursions.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the mountain also became a place for experiments and outings, and later it was used for early German television work from 1935 onward. The summit area has therefore combined recreation, science and communications for a long time.
Interesting facts
Großer Feldberg is the highest of the 200 named peaks in the Taunus and the range’s high point. It is also one of the most prominent mid-mountain summits in Germany, with a prominence of about 670 m and a dominance of about 101 km. The nearest higher-scale reference in the wider region is the Dammersfeldkuppe in the Rhön, used in dominance calculations.
The mountain massif includes the nearby Kleiner Feldberg, and the summit area has long been used for observation, walking and communications. Its open top makes it easy to recognise from the surrounding lowlands and ridges.
FAQ
How high is Großer Feldberg? It rises to 880 m, making it the highest mountain in the Taunus and the range’s high point.
Where is Großer Feldberg? It is in Schmitten im Taunus in Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, in Germany.
What range does it belong to? It is part of the Taunus, within the Rhenish Massif, Central Uplands and Central European Highlands.
What are the nearest peaks? The closest are Kleiner Feldberg at 825 m, 1.3 km southwest, and Weilsberg at 701 m, 1.9 km west.
Is there water on the way to Großer Feldberg? On the open summit and ridge routes you should plan to carry your own water; for a day hike, about 1.5-3 litres is sensible depending on heat and route length.
How long does it take to walk up? From nearby trailheads such as Schmitten im Taunus, the ascent is usually about 1-2 hours on marked trails.
Will my phone work there? Reception is often better on the open summit than in the wooded valleys, but it can still vary by operator and location. Download maps before you go, and remember that 112 reaches emergency services over any available network.