Puhlbruch-Silberkuhle Nature Reserve

The approximately 339 hectare area (NSG since 2005) extends east of Eckenhagen, a district of the Reichshof community, at the transition from the Bergisches Land to the Sauerland. The nature reserve is the largest of its kind in the Oberbergischer Kreis. The only natural forest cell in the Sieg-Bergland has been located here since 1976. On the occasion of the European Year of Nature Conservation 1976, 40 so-called natural forest cells ("primeval forests") were selected in the state forest of North Rhine-Westphalia, which are intended to serve the preservation and observation of near-natural forest types. The primeval forest of tomorrow is emerging on these areas. There are no more interventions, so dead trees are no longer felled, fallen or dead trees remain. The natural forest cell Puhlbruch has a size of 16.6 hectares and the beech population is the oldest native beech forest in the Oberbergischen. There are trees here that are up to 187 years old.

The nature reserve covers 340 hectares and is therefore the largest of its kind in the Oberberg district. Since 1896, the majority of it has been owned by the state forest of the State Forest and Wood Company. Thanks to nature-friendly management, the forest here shows its authentic side. Hillside moors, juniper heaths, spring and still waters, dead wood and the natural forest cell form the most important core zones of the forest.Rare birds such as the black stork or the kingfisher as well as amphibians, insects, bats and also heather, arnica, cotton grass and orchids find their place here.The forest nature trail with a start and finish point at the Wickenbach hiking car park and the grill hut in Windfus is intended to inform forest visitors about the useful, protective and recreational functions of our forests using signs.The Silberkuhle is, as the name suggests, a mining area from prehistoric times. Iron ore, galena, chalcopyrite, zinc and silver were mined here until 1857. The shelters and benches invite you to rest or linger.
Source: ferienland-reichshof.de/natur-freizeit/natur-erleben/naturschutzgebiet-puhlbruch-silberkuhle.html