헬세‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪9‬개의 천연기념물

As children, we used to jump and slide down a narrow sandy path directly from the Bismarck Stone to the Käthnersvierth.

As a result of the strong melting of glaciers at the end of the last ice age (Weichsel), the sea level rose sharply and the western edge of Schleswig-Holstein's geest formed the coastline. In some places, such as the Barlter Kleve (Kleve = cliff, steep coast) near Gudendorf with a drop of 20 m, at the Kleve of Sankt Michaelisdonn (30 m drop) and between Kuden and Burg, the original cliffs formed by the surf are still visible.

The "Kleve" nature reserve, located southeast of St. Michaelisdonn in the Hopen district of Dithmarschen, has existed as such since November 8, 1962. Parts of the "Hoper or Donner Kleve" were bought by a nature conservation association as early as 1914, and then placed under the protection ordinance under the Reich Nature Conservation Act in 1938. At 11.9 hectares, it is certainly one of the smallest nature reserves in Schleswig-Holstein, but due to its animal and plant populations, it is a real treasure trove.

The Hopen burial mound field near Sankt Michaelisdonn in Schleswig-Holstein is an important archaeological site with a long history. The burial mounds mostly date from the Bronze Age (around 1800 - 1000 BC) and the pre-Roman Iron Age. The site, which originally covered extensive heathland, now consists of a few larger and many smaller burial mounds. The larger mounds are typical of the older Bronze Age and have often been enlarged by multiple reburials. The smaller burial mounds usually house urn graves containing the ashes of the deceased. Despite the cultivation and changes to the landscape since the 19th century, some of these historic sites have been preserved and offer interesting insights into burial practices and life at the time. The Hopen burial mound field is now a popular destination for hiking and cycling. Visitors can explore the remains of the mounds and learn more about the history and archaeology of the region. There are also other attractions nearby such as St. Michaelisdonn Airport and St. Michael's Church.

A fascinating landscape that emerged at the end of the last ice age and marks the border between geest and marsh: steep terrain, undulating structure, narrow hiking trails that run along the slope.

A small piece of dry grass is the last remnant of the originally extensive heathland, which only disappeared through cultivation in the 19th century. It comprises what was once a much larger field of a few larger and many smaller burial mounds, the former of which may be of the Bronze Age, the latter predominantly of the pre-Roman Iron Age.

At this point there is a sign with information about the "Kleve" nature reserve.

There are benches on the Bismarckstein and invite you to linger.