“643 meters!” a voice booms. That is the height of Illenberg Freiburg. Let’s explore this geographic landmark nestled at the boundary of Freiburg.
The Illenberg is a 643-meter elevation. It sits on the boundary between Freiburg im Breisgau, Horben, and Au im Hexental. This mountain ridge runs north to south. It features three smaller hilltops.
The Illenberg gained attention in 2020. It was considered as a potential site for a wind turbine. This sparked much discussion about its suitability.
South of the Illenberg was the Schwarzwälder Traditionshotel Luisenhöhe. It stood there until 2019. The hotel was named after the Grand Duchess Luise of Baden. She was also Princess Luise of Prussia.
The Illenberg’s location is interesting. It lies within the coordinate system. It is approximately at latitude 47.95023 and longitude 7.85577. This places it near Freiburg in Baden-Württemberg.
The nearby town of Au marks a geographical transition. It extends from the western edge of the Black Forest. It stretches across the Hexental to the slopes of the Schönberg. The Schönberg is a Black Forest foothill.
Au’s highest point is around 643 meters. This is at the Illenberg. The lowest point measures about 285 meters. This is at the northern boundary in the Hexental.
The slopes around the Illenberg are steep. Higher elevations are wooded. Some areas are used for pasture. A few even have vineyards.
The ridge of Illenberg runs north-south. It includes three smaller peaks. This creates a varied landscape. It is just a stone’s throw from Freiburg.
Consider the panoramic views from the Illenberg. Imagine the wind turbines generating clean energy. Think of Luise of Preußen enjoying the views from Luisenhöhe. The Illenberg is a border. It divides communities. It also joins natural beauty and human endeavor. It is a landmark to be protected. It gives us so much.