Kinzigauen Nature Reserve (East Hanau)

Brief description of the natural forest reserve:
Size: 18 hectares, no comparable area
Geographical location: approximately 1 km south of the municipality of Erlensee(-Rückingen)
Elevation: 110 meters above sea level
Natural habitat: Hanau-Seligenstadt Depression
Geology: High-tide loam (Holocene) over terrace sands (Pleistocene)
Soils: Brown alluvial soil, alluvial silt
Climate: Warm, dry lowland climate, subcontinental
Forest stand: Mixed oak forest
Vegetation type: Stitchwort-English oak-hornbeam forestThe "Kinzigaue" natural forest reserve is a very species-rich area for many animal groups. It can be assumed that well over 5,000 animal species live here. Among the fully studied animal groups, beetles occupy a prominent position, with around 800 species. This was followed by the large butterflies
with 245, spiders with 183, bugs with 124, and stinging insects
(a subgroup of Hymenoptera, which includes bees, wasps, and ants) with 76 species. Among them are numerous endangered species (Red List species).

Riding your bike from East Hanau into the Kinzigauen is a very special experience. The Amazon doesn't seem to be far away and when in April/May the wild garlic blossom colors the shore areas green and white over a large area, it's just beautiful.

The forest to the east of Hanau with its various ditches or tributaries of the Kinzig is an experience, especially in early spring when the wild garlic sprouts.