Bacher Lay, Nature reserve in Bad Marienberg and Nisterau, Germany.
Bacher Lay is a protected nature reserve in Bad Marienberg and Nisterau covering roughly 45 hectares of basalt rock outcrops, streams, and varied plant life. The site runs along the Black Nister river and presents a mix of rocky terrain and green spaces.
The area received protected status in October 1996 when the Koblenz Regional Government established safeguards for its geological and ecological features. This designation aimed to preserve the site's natural diversity for future generations.
The name combines Bach, referencing the former village, and Lay, a local dialect word for quarry rooted in old language traditions. This naming reflects how the landscape shaped the identity of communities living in the region.
The reserve is accessible from Bad Marienberg's Protestant church or via the Nister trail near the ski lift at Schützenhaus. Sturdy footwear is advisable as the terrain is uneven and features water bodies and rocks.
Within the reserve stands an 18-meter basalt column formation called Pfaffenmal that naturally resembles a traditional charcoal burner's kiln stack. This geological feature is a striking landmark that visitors often find remarkable.
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