Nature Reserve Guide
North Rhine-Westphalia is home to more than 100 nature reserves, providing a comprehensive network of protected areas across Germany's most populous state. These reserves encompass a wide range of landscapes, from the dense beech forests and river valleys of the Eifel region to the rolling hills of the Sauerland and the floodplain meadows along the Rhine. The terrain varies from the volcanic peaks of the Siebengebirge to the unique heathlands and wetlands of the Wahner Heide. This diversity offers extensive opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling on a vast network of trails.
This overview of nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia aggregates more than 19,000 routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging. More than 917,000 visitors have shared their experiences, contributing to an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Among the most popular nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia is the Wahner Heide im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, which features a mix of dry and humid biotopes with more than 70 hiking routes. In the Bergisches Land, the Eifgenbachtal Und Seitentäler offers routes through wooded slopes and grasslands. Near Düsseldorf, the Urdenbacher Kämpe provides trails through the dynamic water landscapes of the Rhine's largest undiked floodplain. These designated areas are managed to conserve specific habitats and species, offering a focused look at the region's ecological heritage.
19367
Routes
4.5
(190728)
Average rating
918K+
Explored with komoot
Last updated: April 23, 2026

4.6
(6326)
30,660
hikers
Oberes Rurtal Mit Den Felsbildungen Der Ehrensteinsley is a nature reserve in Germany's Eifel region, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and gravel biking through rocky gorges and forests.
Hiking
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Mountaineering
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Cycling

4.6
(7068)
28,041
hikers
Buchenwald Dedenborn is a nature reserve bordering Eifel National Park, offering diverse deciduous forests and varied terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling routes.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(5828)
25,549
hikers
Wahner Heide im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis is a diverse nature reserve with dry and humid biotopes, offering varied terrain for hiking, cycling, and other outdoor sports.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(5281)
23,895
hikers
Tal- Und Hangbereiche Der Wupper Mit Seitenbächen is a large nature reserve in Germany offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking through its valleys, forests, and steep slopes.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(5052)
22,166
hikers
Eifgenbachtal Und Seitentäler is a nature reserve in Bergisches Land, offering diverse terrain with wooded slopes and grasslands for hiking, cycling, and jogging routes.
Hiking
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Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
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Cycling

4.5
(2925)
19,407
hikers
Siegaue is a diverse floodplain nature reserve in Germany, offering varied terrain like wetlands and forests for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking routes.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.4
(3497)
18,456
hikers
Urdenbacher Kämpe is Düsseldorf's largest undiked Rhine floodplain, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging through dynamic water landscapes and riparian woodlands.
Hiking
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Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(4476)
17,479
hikers
Perlenbach-Fuhrtsbachtal-Talsystem is a German nature reserve with diverse terrain for hiking, gravel biking, and road cycling, featuring unique fen vegetation and daffodil meadows.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.6
(3392)
15,047
hikers
Rurtal Mit Den Felsbildungen Der Uhusley is a nature reserve along the Rur river, offering diverse landscapes and routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.6
(3363)
15,012
hikers
Tiefenbachtal Bei Simmerath Mit Nebenbächen is a 164-hectare nature reserve with a deeply incised valley, natural mountain forests, and diverse terrain for hiking and cycling.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(3232)
14,472
hikers
Zonser Grind is a nature reserve in Dormagen, Germany, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging through its dynamic floodplain landscape.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(2699)
14,180
hikers
Rheinaue Zwischen Büderich Und Perrich is a nature reserve offering diverse routes for cycling, hiking, and mountain biking across its Rhine floodplains and riparian forests.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(3026)
13,711
hikers
Naturschutzgebiet Kirchheller Heide in Bottrop, Germany, offers diverse forests, heathlands, and lakes for hiking, cycling, and running routes.
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Cycling

4.6
(3029)
13,552
hikers
Dhünntal Und Linnefetal Mit Seitentälern is a nature reserve offering diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling routes along its rivers and forests.
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Cycling

4.5
(2426)
13,371
hikers
Hardt is a German nature reserve with diverse landscapes, offering extensive routes for hiking, cycling, jogging, and mountain biking through forests, gorges, and valleys.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(2242)
13,169
hikers
Gierather Wald is a nature reserve with picturesque forests, streams, and wetlands, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and running. Its varied terrain caters to all skill levels.
Hiking
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Mountaineering
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Cycling

4.5
(2225)
12,898
hikers
Himmelgeister Rheinbogen is a diverse nature reserve near Düsseldorf, offering numerous routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling through meadows and along the Rhine.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.6
(2886)
12,705
hikers
Holderbachtal/Dürholderbachtal is a diverse nature reserve in Monschau, offering over 100 routes for hiking, gravel biking, touring cycling, and jogging through forests and streambeds.
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Cycling

4.6
(3102)
12,075
hikers
N.S.G. Gevelsberger Stadtwald is a 500-hectare nature reserve with diverse beech forests and valleys, offering routes for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Hiking
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Cycling

4.5
(2633)
11,938
hikers
Nsg Emsaue Westlich Warendorf is a 415-hectare nature reserve along the Ems River, offering diverse landscapes for cycling, hiking, and mountain biking.
Hiking
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Mountain biking
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Cycling
Nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia are designated protected areas managed to conserve specific habitats and species. This page aggregates over 120 of these reserves, which feature landscapes ranging from the heathlands of Wahner Heide im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis to the river valleys of the Oberes Rurtal. These areas provide a network of trails for outdoor activities.
Based on visitor numbers, some of the most popular nature reserves include Oberes Rurtal Mit Den Felsbildungen Der Ehrensteinsley in the Eifel region and Wahner Heide im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis near Cologne. Other frequently visited reserves are the Tal- Und Hangbereiche Der Wupper Mit Seitenbächen and the Eifgenbachtal Und Seitentäler in the Bergisches Land.
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia contains over 3,300 designated nature reserves (Naturschutzgebiete). This page provides a curated guide to more than 120 of these reserves, featuring over 19,000 routes for outdoor recreation.
The primary activities are hiking, cycling, and mountain biking, with more than 19,000 routes available across the reserves. Many areas also offer trails suitable for jogging and gravel biking. The specific activities depend on the terrain and regulations of each individual reserve.
The Wahner Heide im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis features a diverse landscape of dry and humid biotopes. Its terrain includes heathlands, wetlands, dunes, and forests. This variety provides varied routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging.
The Urdenbacher Kämpe is the largest undiked floodplain of the Rhine near Düsseldorf. Its landscape is characterized by dynamic water features, riparian woodlands, and meadows. The reserve offers numerous routes for hiking and cycling through this unique riverine environment.
There are thousands of hiking trails available, ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes. For example, Buchenwald Dedenborn offers over 70 hiking routes through its deciduous forests. The Siegaue provides trails through floodplain wetlands and forests.
Yes, many nature reserves contain extensive networks for cycling. For instance, the Tal- Und Hangbereiche Der Wupper Mit Seitenbächen has over 30 touring bicycle routes and more than 30 road cycling routes. The terrain varies from flat riverside paths to hilly forest tracks.
Many nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia offer routes suitable for families and beginners. Areas like the Urdenbacher Kämpe feature relatively flat terrain and well-maintained paths ideal for shorter outings. It is recommended to check the difficulty and length of individual routes before starting.
Nature reserves (Naturschutzgebiete) are designated to protect specific habitats or species, often with strict regulations. North Rhine-Westphalia also has a national park and twelve nature parks, which are larger areas focused on conservation, recreation, and sustainable development. This page focuses specifically on the designated nature reserves, while other Protected Areas in North Rhine-Westphalia may have different classifications and goals.
Generally, access to nature reserves for activities like hiking or cycling on marked trails does not require a permit. However, visitors must adhere to local regulations, which often include staying on designated paths to protect sensitive flora and fauna. Certain activities or group events may require special permission from the local authorities.

