The Augsburg - Western Forests Nature Park is a protected area of around 1,200 square kilometers west of Augsburg in Bavaria. It was founded in 1988 and is the only nature park in central Swabia. The landscape is characterized by wooded ridges, gentle hills and stream valleys running from south to north. Around 45% of the area is covered with forest, which gives the area a special importance as a habitat for numerous animal and plant species.
The nature park is divided into three main landscapes:
• Stauden in the south: characterized by wooded hills, picturesque stream valleys and small villages.
• Reischenau in the middle: an open landscape with wide fields and gentle elevations.
• Holzwinkel in the north: characterized by extensive forest areas and extensive hills.
For nature lovers, the nature park offers an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails:
• Around 1,500 kilometers of marked cycle paths and around 1,000 kilometers of hiking trails invite you to explore.
• Themed trails such as the Way of St. James allow you to walk along historical paths.
A central visitor center is the Oberschönenfeld Monastery, which, in addition to the Nature Park House, also houses the Oberschönenfeld Museum of the Swabia District. Here, visitors receive comprehensive information about the region, its history and nature.
The nature park not only serves as a recreational area for the population, but also as a supplier of the renewable raw material wood and as a guarantee of clean air and pure water. With fewer than 100 inhabitants per square kilometer, the area is sparsely populated and thus offers ideal conditions for peace and relaxation in nature.