This low mountainous region has several peaks over 900 metres high, including the Dammersfeldkuppe (927.9 m), the Kreuzberg (927.8 m) and the Eierhauckberg (909.9 m) The Southern High Rhön was first defined in 1968 as a natural region as part of the natural regional classification of Germany at a map scale of 1:200,000 (Sheet 140 Schweinfurt) and is grouped and divided as follows:[2] In the east the area borders on the Eastern South Rhön, in the southeast on the Hammelburg South Rhön, both parts of the South Rhön and the major region (3rd level) of the Odenwald, Spessart and South Rhön within the South German Scarplands (2nd level).

Together with the Anterior and Kuppenrhön, the High Rhön is part of the East Hesse Highlands.

From Heidelstein two mountain ridges radiate south and southwest, separated by the Sinn.

The southwesternmost is the Dammersfeld Ridge, which forms a contiguous and predominantly basaltic unit.

The ridge radiating southwards is divided into the more northerly Kreuzberg Group and the more southerly Black Mountains.