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Nature Reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia

Discover

Nature Reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia

Nature Reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia

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.

Nature Reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia

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

#1.

Oberes Rurtal Mit Den Felsbildungen Der Ehrensteinsley

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(7068)

28,041

hikers

#2.

Buchenwald Dedenborn

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(5828)

25,549

hikers

#3.

Wahner Heide im Rhein-Sieg-Kreis

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(5281)

23,895

hikers

#4.

Tal- Und Hangbereiche Der Wupper Mit Seitenbächen

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(5052)

22,166

hikers

#5.

Eifgenbachtal Und Seitentäler

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2925)

19,407

hikers

#6.

Siegaue

Siegaue is a diverse floodplain nature reserve in Germany, offering varied terrain like wetlands and forests for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.4

(3497)

18,456

hikers

#7.

Urdenbacher Kämpe

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

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(4476)

17,479

hikers

#8.

Perlenbach-Fuhrtsbachtal-Talsystem

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(3392)

15,047

hikers

#9.

Rurtal Mit Den Felsbildungen Der Uhusley

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(3363)

15,012

hikers

#10.

Tiefenbachtal Bei Simmerath Mit Nebenbächen

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(3232)

14,472

hikers

#11.

Zonser Grind

Zonser Grind is a nature reserve in Dormagen, Germany, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and jogging through its dynamic floodplain landscape.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2699)

14,180

hikers

#12.

Rheinaue Zwischen Büderich Und Perrich

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

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(3026)

13,711

hikers

#13.

Naturschutzgebiet Kirchheller Heide

Naturschutzgebiet Kirchheller Heide in Bottrop, Germany, offers diverse forests, heathlands, and lakes for hiking, cycling, and running routes.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(3029)

13,552

hikers

#14.

Dhünntal Und Linnefetal Mit Seitentälern

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.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2426)

13,371

hikers

#15.

Hardt

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2242)

13,169

hikers

#16.

Gierather Wald

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

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2225)

12,898

hikers

#17.

Himmelgeister Rheinbogen

Himmelgeister Rheinbogen is a diverse nature reserve near Düsseldorf, offering numerous routes for hiking, jogging, and cycling through meadows and along the Rhine.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(2886)

12,705

hikers

#18.

Holderbachtal/Dürholderbachtal

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.

Hiking

Running

Mountaineering

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.6

(3102)

12,075

hikers

#19.

N.S.G. Gevelsberger Stadtwald

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

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

4.5

(2633)

11,938

hikers

#20.

Nsg Emsaue Westlich Warendorf

Nsg Emsaue Westlich Warendorf is a 415-hectare nature reserve along the Ems River, offering diverse landscapes for cycling, hiking, and mountain biking.

Hiking

Running

Mountain biking

Gravel riding

Road cycling

Cycling

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Most popular routes in North Rhine-Westphalia

Hiking in North Rhine-Westphalia

Nature to explore in North Rhine-Westphalia

Protected Areas in North Rhine-Westphalia

Frequently Asked Questions

What are nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia?

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.

What are the most popular nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia?

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.

How many nature reserves are in North Rhine-Westphalia?

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.

What activities are available in North Rhine-Westphalia's nature reserves?

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.

What kind of terrain is in the Wahner Heide nature 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.

What are the main features of the Urdenbacher Kämpe nature reserve?

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.

What hiking trails are available in these nature reserves?

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.

Are there cycling routes in North Rhine-Westphalia's nature reserves?

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.

Are there family-friendly routes in these nature reserves?

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.

What is the difference between nature reserves and other protected areas in North Rhine-Westphalia?

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.

Do I need a permit to visit nature reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia?

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.

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