The Niederhofer Holz, a picturesque forest area in Dortmund, extends over an area of 168 hectares on the northern slope of the Ardey Mountains. This forest is part of the Lower Sauerland natural area and is characterized by its natural beech forests as well as deciduous, pine and larch forests. The forest's soil is acidic and nutrient-poor, which supports unique flora and fauna.
The predominantly natural streams and their springs in the forest are particularly interesting. Along the streams you can find beech, alder and ash forests with a greater diversity of species than in the other, rather species-poor forests and forest areas. The forest has a diverse age structure, with different age classes that are mostly spread out over the area. Particularly noteworthy are the beech stands that are over 180 years old and form so-called indoor forests. The protected holly grows in the eastern area of these old stands.
The Niederhofer Holz once belonged to the Niederhofen estate, a knight's seat from the 13th century, and has an interesting history. During the Second World War there was an ammunition depot here, the remains of which can still be seen today in the form of around 20 bunker ruins. The explosion of the camp caused splinters to spread through the trees, making economic use of the forest difficult. This special situation has contributed to the development of a partially natural forest.
The Niederhofer Holz is considered Dortmund's only primeval forest and offers a unique atmosphere for visitors. Despite its proximity to urban development and its access through various hiking trails, the forest area has retained a natural character