The area is characterized by oxbow lakes with steep banks, shallow water zones and islands that are rarely flooded even during floods, as well as softwood and hardwood floodplain forests typical of the area. In addition, there are flood channels, swampy zones and temporary still waters as well as gravel and sand banks and pioneer sites on raw soils.
The Hohenrode Floodplain Nature Reserve is an ecological highlight in the Weser Valley near Rinteln and an excellent destination for nature-loving cyclists. This fascinating landscape stretches across an area of approximately 127 hectares in a bend of the Weser River – a successful example of renaturation and sustainable nature conservation in a former gravel mining area.
Since the 1990s, the floodplain landscape has been managed by the NABU Rinteln group. What was once an industrial mining site has been transformed into a mosaic of shallow water zones, gravel pits, islands, oxbow lakes, and riparian forests. This diversity has created an important refuge for numerous endangered animal and plant species. The area is particularly known for its rich birdlife: Common terns, white-tailed eagles, ospreys, black storks, and waders find breeding or resting sites here. An ornithological highlight is the successful reintroduction of the common tern, which is breeding here for the first time in over 100 years.
Visitors can use an observation tower and the Dieter Eggersmann observation hut, from which animals can be observed in their natural habitat. Information panels explain the special features of the habitat, its history, and the contribution of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) to the maintenance and development of the protected area. The play of light over the still waters is particularly impressive in the early morning hours or at sunset.
The floodplain landscape is located directly on the Weser Cycle Route and is therefore perfect as a stopover or destination for a nature-oriented bike ride. Access is via a gravel parking lot near Hohenrode. NABU offers regular guided tours of the area – on the first Sunday of even-numbered months at 11 a.m.
Those who want to experience the slow change of nature and understand the dynamics of a river landscape will find in the Hohenrode floodplain landscape an inspiring example of how nature can be left to its own devices and still be full of life – ideal for a peaceful break on the bike.
Translated by Google •
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