| Quirl | |
|---|---|
_Panorama_(01-2).jpg) View of the Quirl from Königstein Fortress | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 349.6 m above sea level (HN) (1,147 ft) |
| Coordinates | 50°54′20″N14°04′00″E / 50.905502°N 14.066697°E /50.905502; 14.066697 |
| Geography | |
| Parent range | Elbe Sandstone Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Table hill |
| Rock type | Sandstone |
TheQuirl is a lowtable hill, 349 metres high, inSaxon Switzerland, west of theRiver Elbe.
The Quirl rises about two kilometres south ofKönigstein in the so-called Land of Stones (Gebiet der Steine), part of Saxon Switzerland in which table hills (Tafelberge orSteine) are characteristic. In the immediate neighbourhood are the hills ofPfaffenstein andKönigstein.
On the northern side of the Quirl is a largebeddingcave, theDiebskeller ("Thieves' Cellar").
Until around 1800 there were fields on the Quirl that belonged to the hereditary enfeoffed estate of Pfaffendorf. Later the Quirl was placed out of bounds to the public due to its proximity toKönigstein Fortress and the fields were abandoned.
During theAustro-Prussian War of 1866 the old footpath to the summit plateau was blown up so that Prussian troops there could not emplace their guns there.
The Quirl consists of sandstones of stage c, which are classified in the middleTuronian age of theCretaceous in the geological time scale. In more recent publications these sandstones are also called Postelwitz Strata (Postelwitzer Schichten). The summit plateau corresponds to intermediate stratum γ3. The bedding caves on the north side of the Quirl are in the lightly weathered intermediate stratum γ2.
The best base for a visit to the Quirl is the town of Königstein. There a hiking trail, marked with a red dot runs around the Quirl an on to the neighbouringPfaffenstein. An unmarked, but signposted branch, theKanonenweg enables the summit plateau to be reached easily. Other unmarked ascents are located near theDiebskeller on the north side.
