ゲルマースハイムの天然記念物・トップ20

The entire area is a nature reserve. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Please refrain from leaving the designated paths. Do not leave any trash behind and do not take anything from nature. Simply enjoy the experience with (almost) all your senses and let nature work its magic... Soak up the wonderful impressions...🫶🌸🍀 The oak tree is estimated to be around 300 years old and, barring any unforeseen events, has approximately 50 more years of life ahead of it.

Lourdes Grotto: In 1944, during the war, Bernhard Brossart suffered third-degree burns while handling a British phosphorus bomb. His friend Engelbert Gerstner prevented a more serious outcome through his quick intervention. Bernhard Brossart vowed that if he regained his health, he would build a Lourdes Grotto. Sixty years later, this promise was fulfilled. The forestry administration and the responsible district forester, Werner Gimmel, were receptive to the project. In 2004, Bernhard Brossart and Engelbert Gerstner constructed the Lourdes Grotto in the "Heilbrunnenhang" forest section using natural limestone from Büchelberg. The grotto was consecrated by Pastor Stefan Braun on May 8, 2004. This place is intended to invite visitors to offer silent prayer, recharge their energy, and draw new strength for everyday life. Text from the information panel

Flood retention structure to regulate the Otterbach.

Lourdes grotto in the middle of the forest. There are benches to rest

Starting point of the Westwallweg. There is a large car park here, as well as a motorhome parking area and a small pub right next door.

The very well signposted path is highly recommended

If you want to prepare yourself for this circular hiking trail with its wealth of historical information texts (including audio texts), I can highly recommend the website https://www.pwv-schaidt.de/Westwall-Wanderweg-u-a/Qulitaetswanderweg . There is also a 52-page brochure that you can order from PWV Schaidt for a fee and which provides very detailed information about this award-winning hiking trail, its historical relics and the Bienwald: https://www.pwv-schaidt.de/Westwall-Wanderweg-u-a/Westwallweg Very exciting to read - and shocking! When planning your hike, however, you MUST NOTE: Depending on the temperature, there are numerous mosquitoes lurking here because of the many stagnant bodies of water! There is a special experience for children on this hiking trail, namely the search for 7 dwarves. The following dwarves have to be found: 1. Dwarf shows the start of the hike; 2. Dwarf shows the direction; 3. Dwarf with fishing rod (and 3 ducks) shows the anti-tank ditch; 4. Dwarf shows the right way (with hiking marker); 5. Dwarf waves the white flag; 6. Dwarf shows where the trenches were dug ("The Schanzer"); 7. Dwarf keeps watch (with binoculars and a knotted rifle). This also includes a knowledge quiz. More details can be found here: https://www.pwv-schaidt.de/Westwall-Wanderweg-u-a/Die-Sieben-Zwerge In the midst of the warlike relics of this Westwall Trail, these 7 dwarves are intended to remind us of the peace that we (in Germany) have enjoyed for almost 80 years (and hopefully for a long time to come)! Because why shouldn't you have fun walking this West Wall Trail with its many warlike relics as a kind of "Peace Trail" - in gratitude and joy that there is no more shooting here! - And that is something for adults too!

This oak was most likely "planted during the Thirty Years' War, which ravaged Germany from 1618 to 1648". Source (quoted verbatim): Information board on site