Viewpoint Goose

Shaped by fire and water: The rock formation Gans
From the Salinental, one looks eastward at a rock formation that resembles a massive heap. It received its name in Celtic times: "Ganda", meaning steep slope with rock debris. Elemental forces have shaped the Gans. 280 million years ago, magma from the Earth's interior reached the surface, solidified, and formed a rock massif that includes both the Rotenfels and the Rheingrafenstein. The Nahe – Celtic "Nawa" – has carved its way through this rock block, digging deeper and deeper. Thus, the narrow valley was formed. The rock slopes were created during the cold periods when, at extreme temperatures, water penetrated the rock and caused it to explode.
This geological situation has created a barren Mediterranean-like habitat. It is a nature reserve due to its geological uniqueness, extraordinary fauna and flora, and its scenic beauty. The combination of poor soil, dryness, heat, and high temperature fluctuations favors special plants and animals that are rare in our latitudes: e.g., the carnation, dittany, blue-red stone seed, mountain stone herb, and rock pears. The rock maple, which is usually found in Provence, roots in rock crevices. From the Mediterranean to the Near East, it forms a far northern outpost in the Nahe valley.
The magnificent emerald lizard is often seen sunbathing. Experts discover rare butterflies such as the white-spotted ram's horn. It is endangered.
It is worth ascending to the Gans from the Karlshalle or reaching the cliff edge via one of the hiking trails from the Rheingrafenstein hiking portal. One marvels at the small, multi-stemmed oaks found everywhere. They are remnants of an oak peeling forest. The bark was used for tanning until about 1900, and the tree was repeatedly cut back.
From a beautiful viewpoint near the Rheingrafenstein Castle, one looks out over the district of Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg from a height of 320 meters, far into the Nahe valley.