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Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Kreis Düren

Niederzier

Wild horses (Koniks) on Sophienhöhe

Discover

Places to see

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Cologne District

Kreis Düren

Niederzier

Wild horses (Koniks) on Sophienhöhe

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Wild horses (Koniks) on Sophienhöhe

Hiking

5.0

(331)

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5.0

(7)

Gravel riding

5.0

(3)

Mountain biking

5.0

(2)

Nordic walking

5.0

(1)

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Location: Niederzier, Kreis Düren, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Tips

Bernd 🌲🦌🍄🥾

January 31, 2026

Hiking

In June 2024, the "Golden Meadow" on the reclaimed Sophienhöhe received a herd of Konik horses. The project is being scientifically monitored, including biomonitoring and collaboration with nature conservation organizations, and there are plans to expand the grazing areas in the future.

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Bernd 🌲🦌🍄🥾

March 3, 2026

Hiking

The fenced area is accessible via two gates. The Konik horses usually graze about 20 to 30 meters from the path. With a bit of luck, the animals – led by a dark brown stallion – will approach, curious and entirely of their own accord, to within a few meters.

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R.Bungartz

December 26, 2025

Hiking

The Konik horses (Polish for "small horse") were introduced to the Golden Aue area as part of a pilot project by RWE Power AG, the Recultivation Research Center, NEULAND HAMBACH GmbH, and the Dutch foundation FREE Nature. These robust horses perform an important ecological task: they keep the open landscape free of trees and shrubs and increase biodiversity in the recultivated area.

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Wild horses (Koniks) on Sophienhöhe

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#1.

Wild horses at Sophienhöhe – Roman Tower at Sophienhöhe loop from Wanderparkplatz Alt-Lich

14.6km

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470m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.6

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#2.

Wild horses at Sophienhöhe – View towards Jülich loop from Hambach

13.3km

04:00

410m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

4.4

(55)

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#3.

Pony Pond in the Eifel – View of Licher Lake loop from Baasmaar

16.6km

05:19

730m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

Details

Informations

Elevation 300 m

Weather

Wednesday 13 May

11°C

5°C

79 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Location: Niederzier, Kreis Düren, Cologne District, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

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Wild horses (Koniks) on Sophienhöhe

#1.

Wild horses at Sophienhöhe – Roman Tower at Sophienhöhe loop from Wanderparkplatz Alt-Lich

#2.

Wild horses at Sophienhöhe – View towards Jülich loop from Hambach

#3.

Pony Pond in the Eifel – View of Licher Lake loop from Baasmaar

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