Hümmerstein
Brief description
The Hümmerstein is well worth looking at as a geo point along the Druidensteig and is a testament to the geological formations of that time.
Detailed description
The Hümmerstein is a small rock formation made of quartz-rich sandstone, traversed by particularly hard quartz veins. These quartz veins are more resistant than the surrounding rock, which has been eroded over time – thus, the rock stands out prominently. In the quartz, reddish to gray-black inclusions of hematite shimmer, a high-quality iron ore that was previously mined in the nearby Bindweide pit. There were likely attempts to extract ore from the Hümmerstein itself, as a so-called "ore vein" became visible on the surface – a so-called vein outcrop. Although there are no known legends about the rock, which is colloquially called the "Devil's Stone," a prank used to bring joy in the past: Every year in May, the Hümmerstein was painted white – to the delight of the villagers, as it then looked as if it were covered in snow.
Contact and directions
Hellerstr. 2
57518 Betzdorf