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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Münster District

Ruhr Region

Niederhofer Holz Nature Reserve — Beech Forest

Discover

Places to see

Natural Monuments

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Münster District

Ruhr Region

Niederhofer Holz Nature Reserve — Beech Forest

Highlight • Forest

Niederhofer Holz Nature Reserve — Beech Forest

Recommended by 241 hikers out of 244

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: NSG Niederhofer Holz

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Location: Ruhr Region, Münster District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Best Hikes to Niederhofer Holz Nature Reserve — Beech Forest

4.6

(59)

242

hikers

1. View of Dortmund – View of Signal Iduna Park loop from Holzen

6.50km

01:47

100m

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

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Easy

4.6

(33)

134

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2. View of Hengsteysee – Hohensyburg castle ruins loop from Sommerberg

21.1km

05:54

390m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Expert

4.6

(27)

hikers

3. View of Signal Iduna Park – View of Dortmund loop from Dortmund-Kirchhörde

18.1km

04:55

260m

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

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Intermediate

Tips

Schwerte-Radler

January 15, 2024

The Niederhofer Holz, a picturesque forest area in Dortmund, extends over an area of 168 hectares on the northern slope of the Ardey Mountains. This forest is part of the Lower Sauerland natural area and is characterized by its natural beech forests as well as deciduous, pine and larch forests. The forest's soil is acidic and nutrient-poor, which supports unique flora and fauna.

The predominantly natural streams and their springs in the forest are particularly interesting. Along the streams you can find beech, alder and ash forests with a greater diversity of species than in the other, rather species-poor forests and forest areas. The forest has a diverse age structure, with different age classes that are mostly spread out over the area. Particularly noteworthy are the beech stands that are over 180 years old and form so-called indoor forests. The protected holly grows in the eastern area of these old stands.

The Niederhofer Holz once belonged to the Niederhofen estate, a knight's seat from the 13th century, and has an interesting history. During the Second World War there was an ammunition depot here, the remains of which can still be seen today in the form of around 20 bunker ruins. The explosion of the camp caused splinters to spread through the trees, making economic use of the forest difficult. This special situation has contributed to the development of a partially natural forest.

The Niederhofer Holz is considered Dortmund's only primeval forest and offers a unique atmosphere for visitors. Despite its proximity to urban development and its access through various hiking trails, the forest area has retained a natural character.

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Fuchseltier

October 27, 2025

The Niederhofer Holz Nature Reserve is a 155.89-hectare woodland in the south of Dortmund. It was designated a nature reserve in 2020 to preserve its valuable habitats and biodiversity. The area protects, in particular, communities of forest and meadowland, as well as rare plants and plant communities found in the forest and inland dunes. The reserve also contains remnants of historic paths, such as the former Wehrmacht ammunition supply road, which are now used as hiking trails.

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WaldFEE

January 29, 2025

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Elevation 230 m

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Monday 10 November

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Ruhr Region, Münster District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Niederhofer Holz Nature Reserve — Beech Forest

1. View of Dortmund – View of Signal Iduna Park loop from Holzen

2. View of Hengsteysee – Hohensyburg castle ruins loop from Sommerberg

3. View of Signal Iduna Park – View of Dortmund loop from Dortmund-Kirchhörde

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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