Steinacher Ried | Bad Waldsee Moorland
Like almost every town in Upper Swabia, Bad Waldsee also has a marshland. This is called Steinacher Ried because it belongs to the Steinach district of Bad Waldsee.
The Steinacher Ried in Bad Waldsee is located in the west of the town and runs in the triangle formed by Bad Waldsee, towards Reute and Aulendorf. Peat was also extracted in this marshland.
The Steinacher Ried is not as touristically developed as, for example, in Bad Buchau. But even here, you can enjoy beautiful hikes through the forest and enjoy the natural surroundings. The best place to start is at the barbecue area in Steinach, just 200 meters outside the town limits. There are also several parking spaces and a map of the area.
Unfortunately, the hiking trail signs are not designed for a circular walk, so it's definitely worth bringing a GPS or a map; at least, I didn't find any hiking trail signs. The terrain is easy to walk, and the path only rarely becomes narrow. A paved road runs across the reed bed from Bad Waldsee to Obermöllenbronn or Tannweiler.
Remnants of peat extraction can also be seen in places in this reed bed. The water has receded considerably here and is only occasionally visible. Some of the reed bed is now farmed.
The hunters' lodges at every corner of the clearings indicate that deer can also be seen in the reed meadows here in the early morning.
History and plants of the Steinacher Reed Bed in Bad Waldsee
Upper Swabia is characterized by the terminal moraine left behind by the glaciers during the Würm glaciation. This ended 18,000 years ago. The meltwater left behind the lakes and moors, including the Steinacher Reed Bed.
The flora of the reed bed includes typical trees, such as pines and birches, as well as reeds. Where the water still emerges, marsh marigolds can also be found.
Source: oberschwaben-tipps.de/steinacher-ried-moorgebiet-bad-waldsee