- Fauna
- Round trip
- Refreshment stop
- Flora
Niedersfelder Hochheide - nature experience trail north of Winterberg
The largest of Europe's rare mountain heaths in northwest Germany is located near Niedersfeld. The vast, treeless landscape is transformed into a pink carpet of heather flowers in late summer.
Tour starting point:
Parking lot Hochheidehütte, Niedersfeld
Tour destination point:
Parking lot Hochheidehütte, Niedersfeld
Properties:
Download
Additional Information
The Rothaarsteig audio files can be transferred to a smartphone directly on site using a QR code or phone call, ordownloaded beforehand from the Rothaarsteig Association website(www.rothaarsteig.de).Category
WanderungLength
5.1 kmTime
1:15 Std.Elevation ascent
77 mElevation descent
77 mLowest point
772 mHighest point
826 mCondition
Difficulty
Adventure
Landscape
Recommended seasons
In the east of the Hochsauerland district, on the border with Hessen, you will find the "Neuer Hagen" nature conservation and FFH area, also known as the "Niedersfelder Hochheide", at an altitude of more than 800 meters.
Mountain heaths are habitats for specialist animals and plants. These include the slow-growing dwarf shrubs that dominate the landscape with few trees: Heather, bilberry and cranberry, as well as the rare crowberry and bog bilberry. In summer, you can also see arnica, a medicinal plant whose golden yellow flowers glow in the sun, on the Hochheide.
In the area, you have a good chance of spotting a great grey shrike on the spruce tops or hearing the call of the cuckoo, which has become rare in many places. Another special sight is the large herd of heather sheep and goats that pass through the area once a year to carry out the "maintenance bite" necessary for conservation.
Information
Directions
The circular trail signposted "NH" is recommended for exploring the area. The Rothaarsteig audio trail also runs along it with ten adventure stations, including the viewpoint on the Clemensberg. The Hoppecke spring can also be reached from the circular trail via a spur trail.
Equipment
Festes Schuhwerk, ggf. FernglasBei Nutzung des Audioweges Smartphone, ggf. Kopfhörer
Literture
Buch „Naturschätze Südwestfalens entdecken“ (ISBN: 9783000481215)
Maps
Wanderkarte Winterberg, 1 : 20.000 (ISBN: 9783980971300, Preis: 4,95 €)
Public transiot
Getting there by public transport is difficult, as there is already a 3-4 km long path (depending on the route) from the village to Hochheide with an incline. The nearest bus stop is "Niedersfeld, Post" (at least 60 minutes on foot to the starting point). You can find the current timetable at: http://efa.vrr.de
Getting there
In Niedersfeld near Winterberg, turn left on the B 480 opposite the "Isken" Bäckerei coming from Olsberg and right coming from Winterberg. Follow the signs to "Hochheidehütte" until you reach the parking lot.Address for navigation: not specifiedGPS (UTM): 32 U 469167, 5678200Google coordinates: 51.254320, 8.558170
Parking
Parking lot Hochheidehütte, free of charge