senkkopf

Senkkopf is a toponym used for several geographic features in German-speaking regions of Europe. The name is formed from the German elements senke, meaning a depression or saddle, and kopf, meaning head or summit. It is typically applied to hills or small mountains whose summit or profile has a hollow, saddle-like shape.

The term is found in the Alps and their foothills across countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Because the same name is used for more than one place, exact details such as elevation, coordinates, and local significance vary by location. In maps and hiking guides, Senkkopf features are usually disambiguated by adding the relevant region or nearby settlements.

In toponymy, Senkkopf is an example of landscape-form names that describe physical characteristics of a feature rather than political or administrative boundaries. Variants of the name—such as Senkopf, Senkenkopf, or Sennkopf—occur with regional spelling differences, but all refer to similar kinds of saddle-like summits or depressions in the terrain.

Notable sightings of the name appear in regional gazetteers and hiking literature, where it serves as a practical label for a specific hill or peak within a larger range. For precise identification, the local context, including nearby towns, mountain ranges, and maps, is essential.

See also: related German toponyms describing landscape features, such as Sattel, Kopf, and other saddle- or head-themed names used for mountains and hills.