Top 20 Natural Monuments around Obermeitingen

The Lechsee and the Lech itself are always worth a visit.

The water is usually still, reflecting the surrounding floodplains and forest strips, while rolling hills loom on the horizon. The vastness of the reservoir can be best appreciated, especially from the dam or the riverside paths—a peaceful place where waterfowl circle and nature reveals its tranquil side.

The Haltenberger Aue beaver reserve is located between Lech barrages 18 and 19 near Kaufering 🦫. It is a protected natural area with narrow, partly overgrown paths directly along the Lech River.

Lech Dam 18 near Kaufering is a run-of-river power plant on the Lech River with a capacity of 16.7 MW and a head of 13.3 m. In operation since 1975, it is operated by Uniper Kraftwerke and feeds electricity into the Bayernwerk AG grid.

The Haltenberger Aue beaver area is a picturesque nature reserve along the Lech, which stretches between the communities of Scheuring and Kaufering in the Landsberg am Lech district in Bavaria. This area is characterized by its diverse flora and fauna and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the traces of the beavers that live here. Location and surroundings: The Haltenberger Aue lies on the eastern bank of the Lech and is part of the “Lechtal-Nord” nature reserve. The region is characterized by alluvial forests, wetlands and a rich animal world, which is positively influenced by the activities of the beavers. Hikes and activities: For nature lovers and hikers, there are numerous ways to explore the beaver area. A popular starting point is the Oskar Weinert Hut, which is run by the Klosterlechfeld Nature Friends. From there, various hiking trails lead through the floodplain, offering insights into the beavers’ way of life and the beauty of the landscape. A recommended route is the circular hike from Lechstaustufe 18 to the Haltenberg castle ruins and back, which is about 6.1 km long and can be completed in about 1.5 hours. Special features: The presence of beavers has had a significant impact on the landscape of the Haltenberger Aue. By building dams and castles, they create new habitats for numerous other animal and plant species. With a little luck, visitors can discover beaver dams, felled trees and other traces of these fascinating animals. A visit to the Haltenberger Aue beaver area offers a wonderful opportunity to experience nature up close and learn more about the important role of beavers in the ecosystem.

The Lech barrage 18 is not only a technical structure, but also an important nature and recreation area. Here are some additional interesting facts and details: Technical features The barrage is part of a larger system of barrages along the Lech, which has been used to generate energy and regulate floods since the 1920s. The power plant itself uses Kaplan turbines, which are particularly efficient at lower head heights and ensure a uniform flow. This type of turbine is ideal for rivers such as the Lech, which have rather low gradients in this region. Ecological significance and renaturation Like many barrages, the Lech barrage 18 also has a major impact on nature. In recent decades, however, there have been extensive efforts to renature the banks and alluvial forests in order to protect the habitat for animals and plants and improve water quality. The floodplains of the Lech in particular offer valuable biotopes for numerous bird species, including rare species such as the little ringed plover and kingfisher populations.

You always see traces of the beaver and with a lot of luck even a specimen 👍

If you love nature, this is the place for you 🤩 Very varied paths