Waldstein (mountain range)
The Waldstein is a mountain range in the northern part of the Fichtel Mountains in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, in southern Germany. Geography. Its highest elevation is the Großer Waldstein which is high. In addition, the Epprechtstein, the Kleiner Waldstein and the ridge of the Hallerstein Forest, south of the town Hallerstein are all located in this mountain range. To the east the Großer Kornberg is the end of the mountain chain, while in the west it falls gently away at Gefrees. Geology. Geologically the massif consists mainly of granite. The history of its orogeny begins in the  Precambrian about 750–800 million years ago – almost 20% of the earth's history. Only a few of these mountain stump ranges ("Rumpfgebirge") remain today. Language and settlement. The eastern part of the Waldstein ridge forms an approximate linguistic boundary between the East Franconian and Bavarian dialects, because settlement developed along the rivers rising in the Fichtelgebirge mountains: the Saale, White Main Eger and Fichtelnaab. Structures. On the "Großen Waldstein" is the Großer Waldstein transmitter. On the "Epprechtstein" are the ruins of Epprechtstein Castle.