- Fauna
- Round trip
- Flora
Schwarzbachtal - nature discovery trail east of Kirchhundem-Heinsberg
In the forests of the Rothaar Ridge, the nature reserve "Schwarzbachsystem mit Haberg und Krenkelstal" is an ideal retreat for rare and shy species, including black stork and wildcat.
Tour starting point:
Refuge "Heinsberger Weidekamp" or rest area "Hochheide
Tour destination point:
Refuge "Heinsberger Weidekamp" or rest area "Hochheide
Properties:
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Additional Information
From the listed Rhein-Weser-Turm you have a fantastic view over large parts of the Rothaargebirge.Category
WanderungLength
7.5 kmTime
2:00 Std.Elevation ascent
147 mElevation descent
147 mAltitude (Minimum)
482 mAltitude (Maximum)
628 mCondition
Difficulty
Adventure
Landscape
Recommended seasons
The main watercourse of the nature reserve, the Schwarzbach, is considered a reference watercourse for the good ecological quality of all headwater streams in the Weser catchment area. Since the mid-1980s, land purchases and targeted maintenance measures by the Olpe district have transformed a dark valley covered with spruce reforestation into a colorful mosaic of rare forest and open land habitats, including peat moss-alder swamp forests, hillside spring bogs and species-rich wet meadows.
The 61.4-hectare natural forest cell "Rüsper Wald" with its approximately 100-year-old bog birch and red alder stands as well as the more than 200-year-old beech hardwoods is also one of the most important components of the protected area. One of the characteristic species of the protected area is the monkshood, whose blossoms line the lower reaches of the Schwarzbach in July and August. In May, the white fruiting heads of the sheath cottongrass shine in large numbers from the mosaic of moor grass meadows and small sedge meadows that crisscross the floodplain. In the clear water of the Schwarzbach there are brown trout, brook lampreys and bullheads. At the blasted railroad bridge you can most likely observe a dipper or a kingfisher.
Information
Directions
The 7.4-kilometer circular trail is marked throughout as A 4 and leads along well-maintained forest paths. In the area of the Heinsberg Heid, the path is asphalted and almost level, so that this part of the protected area can also be experienced by people with limited mobility. With the Rothaarsteig, one of the most important German long-distance hiking trails crosses the protected area.
Getting there
You reach Heinsberg via the L713 from Kirchhundem or Hilchenbach. In Heinsberg turn into Bergstraße, which will lead you to the parking facilities.GPS (UTM): 32 U 442662, 5654304 Google coordinates: 51.037313, 8.182342
Parking
From Kirchhundem-Heinsberg a steep side road leads to the parking facilities at the refuge "Heinsberger Weidekamp" and at the rest area "Hochheide".