In June 2024, the "Golden Meadow" on the reclaimed Sophienhöhe received a herd of Konik horses. The project is being scientifically monitored, including biomonitoring and collaboration with nature conservation organizations, and there are plans to expand the grazing areas in the future.

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Bernd 🌲🦌🍄🥾

March 3, 2026

Hiking

The fenced area is accessible via two gates. The Konik horses usually graze about 20 to 30 meters from the path. With a bit of luck, the animals – led by a dark brown stallion – will approach, curious and entirely of their own accord, to within a few meters.

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R.Bungartz

December 26, 2025

Hiking

The Konik horses (Polish for "small horse") were introduced to the Golden Aue area as part of a pilot project by RWE Power AG, the Recultivation Research Center, NEULAND HAMBACH GmbH, and the Dutch foundation FREE Nature. These robust horses perform an important ecological task: they keep the open landscape free of trees and shrubs and increase biodiversity in the recultivated area.

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Elevation 300 m

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Saturday 28 March

11°C

2°C

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Location: Niederzier, Kreis Düren, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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