Großer Arber 3.61

The Großer Arber is the highest peak of the Bavarian/Bohemian Forest mountain range, with an elevation of 1455.5m. Although geographically belonging to the larger Bohemian Forest range, it is often referred to as "King of the Bavarian Forest".GeographyFirst mentioned as Adwich in a 1279 deed, the peak rises in the municipal area of Bayerisch Eisenstein close to the border with the Czech Republic. The Großer Arbersee lake is located on its southeastern slopes; the western part of the massif stretches to the Kleiner Arber ("Small Arber") subpeak and the Kleiner Arbersee, a source of the Regen river.Though not located above the climatic tree line, Großer Arber is the only peak of the Bavarian-Bohemian mountain ridge mainly covered by sub-alpine grasses and creeping pines.The mountain is a stop on the E6 European long distance path and the site of an extended ski resort, one of Germany's most famous besides the Bavarian Alps.HistorySince the 19th century, Großer Arber and the extended woodlands down to Bayerisch Eisenstein with several former forest glasshouses are in the possession of the princely House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. As early as 1939, large parts of the area were put under protection, in order to save its uniqueness. On top were two military radar stations, built during the Cold War in 1983 close to the Czechoslovak border, against fierce protests by conservationists. Today, two radomes with a AN/FPS-117 search radar are still operated by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) at a reduced scale, serving both civilian and military purposes.