Gegensteine

Summit cross on the Großer Gegenstein

The Gegensteine are crags near the town of Ballenstedt on the northern edge of the Harz Mountains in Germany. There are two: the Großer Gegenstein and Kleiner Gegenstein ("Great Gegenstein" and "Little Gegenstein"). They are striking, free-standing rock pinnacles and outliers of the Teufelsmauer. They lie within the Gegensteine–Schierberg nature reserve.

The Großer Gegenstein (51°44′12″N 11°13′33″E / 51.73667°N 11.22583°E / 51.73667; 11.22583) can be ascended by means of ladders and steps carved out of the rock. A cross was erected on its summit in 1863 by order of the Prince of Anhalt; it was replaced in 1993. From the summit there are extensive views over the Harz Mountains and its northern foreland.

Near the Kleiner Gegenstein (51°44′10″N 11°13′11″E / 51.73611°N 11.21972°E / 51.73611; 11.21972 (Kleiner Gegenstein)) there used to be a site used for driver training purposes by the Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik during East German times.

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