Human settlement activity is restricted to the peripheral regions of the Leininger Sporn; the hill country itself is not settled. One area that stands out is an isolated clearing at the northeastern edge of the spur in the municipality of Battenberg, which includes Battenberg Castle, at a height of about 300 metres above sea level (NHN). This open area is mainly used for agriculture, since the dominating loam-clay soils, a weathering product of the erosion of Upper Bunter sandstone are rich in nutrients and so, unlike other regions of the Middle Palatinate Forest, allow higher yields. In contrast, the formerly widespread vineyards are in decline, something that is apparent from the old vineyard terraces in the north of the municipal territory. In addition, orchards and waste land can be found on hillsides in the parish of Battenberg. A geological feature and classified as natural monument, are the Blitzröhren below Battenberg Castle. These are tubular iron bands of rock, embedded in an ochre-coloured sandstone rock face several metres high caused and by precipitation and the sintered formation of iron solutions.