ケーニヒスの森の湖・トップ16

The Pionierweiher pond lies hidden in the Königsforst forest east of Cologne, near Forsbach and the Giesbach valley. A short detour to this tranquil body of water in the middle of the woods is well worth it. Standing on the bank, you can watch the dragonflies dancing and listen to a chorus of frogs.

The pond is quietly nestled in the forest and is easily accessible via various hiking trails. It was named after long-time district forester Horst Winter, who worked in the Königsforst, particularly around the Tütberg, for over 40 years.

The bench overlooking the Horst-Winter Pond is a quiet, almost hidden spot in the southeastern Königsforst forest—perfect for a short break amidst nature. It stands slightly elevated at the edge of the forest and offers a tranquil view over the pond, which is surrounded by dense mixed forest.

A true idyll! Until 50 years ago, this area was a landfill for toxic sewage sludge. The 50-meter-high dam was built over the long-disused Grünewald mine. Behind it, huge quantities of sewage sludge from the LÜDERICH lead and zinc mine, located on the other side of the Sülz Valley, were permanently stored. The sludge was pumped up into the basin via an 800-meter-long pipeline across the Sülz Valley. The pump house in the valley can still be seen today. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grube_Gr%C3%BCnewald Only after the Lüderich mine was closed in 1978 did the sludge dump find peace. It was deliberately planted with grasses and reeds, and in some places, it was allowed to silt up. Now, it is used by birds, including grey herons, as a resting and nesting site. However, only a long-term study can reveal how much heavy metal the birds accumulate in their bodies. The access routes to the interior are blocked by barriers and signs. A fine could range from €25-400 if you use the clearly visible trails leading to the enclosure. Source: Not a copy, not an AI, explored by myself.

Horst Winter (1938-2019) was a district forester at the nearby Steinhaus forestry lodge. He has nothing to do with the eponymous donor of one million euros to the AfD. It is incomprehensible that only this insignificant pond was named after him, but not his most important work, the bird paradise on the sewage sludge basin on the slope of the Tütberg. https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/5558006

Between the path and the pond, rust-brown water is clearly visible. The reason: This was the site of the Werner mine, where lead was mined for 2,000 years and zinc in the 19th century. https://www.kuladig.de/Objektansicht/KLD-311639

Beautifully situated pond fed by the Holzer Bach. In the middle of it all, an unexpected idyll in the Königsforst 🥰

Here you can sit comfortably, listen to the stream and look out over the small lake.