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Germany
Baden-Württemberg

Waldheide Nature Reserve

Discover
Places to see

Natural Monuments

Germany
Baden-Württemberg

Waldheide Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural Monument

Waldheide Nature Reserve

Recommended by 223 hikers out of 235

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    Best Hikes to Waldheide Nature Reserve

    5.0

    (3)

    65

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    1. Waldheide Barbecue Area – Waldheide Nature Reserve loop from Obergruppenbach

    3.06km

    00:47

    20m

    20m

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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    Easy

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Moderate

    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Moderate

    Tips

    May 15, 2018

    The Waldheide is a clearing of approximately 50 hectares in Heilbronn's city forest. The area was established as a parade ground in 1883 and occupied by the US military from 1951 onwards, which expanded the Waldheide into a base for nuclear-armed Pershing IA medium-range missiles starting in 1974. As a result of the NATO Double-Track Decision, the Pershing IA missiles were replaced by Pershing II missiles starting in 1984.

    In 1985, an accident occurred at the facility, also known as Fort Redleg, resulting in the explosion of a missile stage, killing three people. This incident sparked a public debate in the Federal Republic of Germany about the dangers of the Pershing system and gave a broad boost to the peace movement.

    As a result of the 1987 INF Treaty, the US military withdrew by 1991. The area was renaturalized by 1997 and is now a local recreation area for the people of Heilbronn.

    The Waldheide (forest heath) is located at the edge of the Heilbronn Hills on the reed sandstone banks of the Keuper stage. Because the reed sandstone is relatively weather-resistant, a plain developed there. After deforestation, an extraordinary heathland landscape emerged on the lime-free, nutrient-poor weathered soil.

    In 1994, a 4.5-hectare area to the north, which had remained unimpeached during use by the US Army and thus preserved its original soil structure, was designated a natural monument. To keep the landscape open, sheep grazed this area three to four times a year.

    Installation with map and timeline at the Bei den drei Linden parking lot (October 2012)

    Translated by Google •

      August 9, 2020

      The Waldheide is a clearing of around 50 hectares in Heilbronn's city forest. The area was established as a parade ground in 1883 and occupied by the US armed forces from 1951 onwards, who expanded the Waldheide into a base for nuclear-armed medium-range missiles from 1974 onwards.

      In 1985, an accident occurred at the facility, also known as Fort Redleg, resulting in three fatalities due to the explosion of a rocket stage. This incident sparked a public debate in the Federal Republic of Germany about the dangers of the Pershing system and gave the peace movement a broad boost.

      As a result of the INF Treaty of 1987, the US Army withdrew by 1991. The area was renaturalized by 1997 and is now a local recreation area for the people of Heilbronn. The most valuable part of the forest heath, in the north, was designated a natural monument in 1994, covering 4.5 hectares. Larger, contiguous areas of heath vegetation have been preserved here.

      Translated by Google •

        May 4, 2020

        Nicely laid out apiary, at first glance not recognizable as such.

        Translated by Google •

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          Elevation 370 m

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          Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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          Waldheide Nature Reserve (Southern Section)

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