The Leipzig floodplain forest (also colloquially known as floodplain forest or floodplain forest[1]) is a floodplain forest area that lies mainly in the area of the city of Leipzig. It used to be a softwood floodplain (alder) and was regularly flooded by the floods of the Pleiße, Weiße Elster and Luppe. Due to human influence (especially regulation of the flowing waters), a hardwood floodplain (ash, oak, maple) has now prevailed. The Leipzig floodplain forest is one of the largest remaining floodplain forests in Central Europe. Despite the various human interventions and the proximity to a large city, parts of the Leipzig floodplain forest have retained a very natural character.
Around 1163 hectares of the floodplain forest belong to the Leipzig city forest. Parts of the floodplain forest stretch far through the city and even border the city center via parks such as the Rosental. The floodplain forest can be easily reached on foot or by public transport in many places. The network of footpaths, cycle paths and bridle paths in the floodplain forest is in some places as dense as in a park. There are numerous excursion destinations in the Leipzig floodplain forest area. Forestry use plays a subordinate role.