[1] The Kahler Asten is located in the northwestern part of the Rothaargebirge in the Hochsauerland region, a little southwest of Winterberg between the villages of Altastenberg, Neuastenberg and Lenneplätze.

The climate of the Kahler Asten is characterized by high precipitation spread mostly evenly across the year, with a slight peak in winter, resulting in an often massive snowpack.

In the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system it is classified as Cfb (warm-summer oceanic), but bordering Dfb (warm-summer humid continental/hemiboreal) and also Cfc (subpolar oceanic), as only four months have a mean temperature above 10°C; when using the 0°C rather than the -3°C threshold, it is even Dfb proper, like many locations in the higher reaches of Germany's uplands.

[2] Erroneously, the Kahle Asten is often said to be the highest mountain in North Rhine-Westphalia or even sometimes in the whole of northwest Germany, because it is shown on the WDR weather map.

From the platform of the tower, which is 862 m above sea level (NN), there is a superb all-round view over the Rothaargebirge and other parts of the Sauerland.

In very clear weather, even the Brocken mountain in the Harz (Saxony-Anhalt), 163 km away, can be seen without the aid of binoculars.

The foundation stone was laid on 22 June 1884 by the district administrator, Federath, in the presence of numerous honoured guests.

By 1889 the district administrator was able to persuade private donors and the Westphalian provincial association to provide the means to rebuild the tower.

Since October 2008 visitors can learn more about the mountain at its summit through an exhibition called the Kahler Asten - the roof of Westphalia.

The central themes of the exhibition are the nature reserve with its mountain heath, the weather station and the history of the Asten tower.

The Kahler Asten and the surrounding area, with its sister mountains, out to about 40 kilometres is one of the most well-known winter sport regions in the German Central Uplands due to its good snow conditions.