Michelbacher Viehweide Nature Reserve

The nature reserve is fenced and is managed as livestock pasture. Normally wild animals like deer stay outside. However, a birch tree fell over and lay over the fence. So that deer grazed on the path right in front of me, but disappeared into the forest as soon as they saw me coming.

The nature reserve (protection area no. 1,010) was designated in 1980 with a size of 18.3 hectares.Forest and pasture: what is usually strictly separated today was an important part of agricultural use for centuries - the forest pasture. Sprawling, gnarled and ancient willow trees as well as numerous birches are contemporary witnesses of this former use that characterize the landscape. The nature reserve "Viehweide auf Markung Michelbach" in the area of the town of Öhringen in the Hohenlohe district is one of the few remaining forest pasture areas in the state. To this day it is characterized by a unique flora and fauna and impresses visitors with its incomparable landscape.
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Spotted orchid, black salsify, thyme milkwort and corn-wheat fritillary – the Michelbach cattle pasture harbors rare special features from the animal and plant world. In the past, cattle were usually herded into the forest and feasted on the fruits of oak and beech, on emerging grass and young trees. This use created substitute habitats for animals and plants that are specialized in extremely barren, nutrient-poor locations and can hardly find habitats anywhere else. It was therefore of great importance to designate a nature reserve here, otherwise the area would probably have been reforested.

The area is still grazed. You should therefore definitely stay on the path.