The Osterheide nature reserve is located to the east of Schneverdingen and, with its extensive heath areas, borders on the nature reserve around the Wilseder Berg. The Osterheide is one of the largest heath areas and has another attraction to offer with the adjacent Pietzmoor.
The landscape is gentle, often only the rustling of the leaves of the numerous birch trees can be heard. Dark green junipers contrast beautifully with the purple heathland. The idyllic area has an unexpected story:
The Osterheide originated from a military training area in which training operations were discontinued in 1994. The association Naturschutzpark e.V. took over the recultivation of the destroyed area. With a lot of effort, a spacious heath landscape with interspersed moors, forest islands and nutrient-poor grassland was created. The network of paths for hikers and cyclists has also been expanded.
Today, nothing can be seen of the military training area, so that given the impressive nature of the Osterheide, one can hardly believe its history.
The picturesque Sylvestersee, named after a British officer, was created by the compaction of the subsoil by heavy military machinery. Today it blends harmoniously into the Osterheide and has never dried out, although it only feeds on rainwater.
Through the Osterheide you can hike, cycle or take one of the numerous carriages waiting at the parking lot.
You can hike to Wilsede via the "Spitzbubenweg" hiking trail, an ancient salt smugglers' path.