My husband and I stumbled upon this hill accidentally and once I found the name I looked it up to find out more information. We turned around a bit unprepared clothing wise to hike it but it was so worth it for the views. If you are looking for a good hike only about an hour and a half from Grafenwoehr Staffelberg Hill, also known as Witch Hill, is one of my favorite hikes besides the Bastei Bridge. It was very crowded as we went on a Sunday and it was the first warmer day of the year. There was easily 100 people walking around with their dogs, drinking beers, and even eating at the restaurant on top of the hill. Not only does a restaurant sit on top of the hill but so does a church.
The hill dates back to settlements during the Neolithic period. The Celtic Oppidum of Menosgada was later built a top. It is close to the town Bad Staffelstein. There is a German Folktale about witches on top of the hill. The story goes like this,"One evening three men who walked home late at night, came to the hill. To their great surprise they saw a beautiful, lit up inn there. The three looked at each other as if they feared they fooled themselves, but soon they were convinced that there really was a merry inn by the hill. They decided to go in, get something to eat and see what was happening there.
When the men came in, they found that those inside were dancing, playing and drinking as if it was a wedding. Two of the arriving men joined the others - danced and played and drank and won a lot of money. But the third man suspected it might all be magic at work at did not want to keep up with the others. Drinks were forced on him, but he secretly poured everything he got into his wide boots.
The revelry went on until early morning. At that time sounded an English greeting, and the tavern, dance, play and partying company were gone. The two men who had played and drunk so briskly, found themselves in a marsh. When they reached for their money, they found nothing but horse manure in their pockets. But the third, who had remained on guard all along, sat quite dry on a pine floor and laughed at his companions who were rolling and wallowing in the mire."
[Schöppner No. 1360. "Der Wiegen - oder Staffelberg".]
When the men came in, they found that those inside were dancing, playing and drinking as if it was a wedding. Two of the arriving men joined the others - danced and played and drank and won a lot of money. But the third man suspected it might all be magic at work at did not want to keep up with the others. Drinks were forced on him, but he secretly poured everything he got into his wide boots.
The revelry went on until early morning. At that time sounded an English greeting, and the tavern, dance, play and partying company were gone. The two men who had played and drunk so briskly, found themselves in a marsh. When they reached for their money, they found nothing but horse manure in their pockets. But the third, who had remained on guard all along, sat quite dry on a pine floor and laughed at his companions who were rolling and wallowing in the mire."
[Schöppner No. 1360. "Der Wiegen - oder Staffelberg".]
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