Fischbeker Heide, Nature reserve in Neugraben-Fischbek, Germany
Fischbeker Heide is a nature reserve in the Harburg district of Hamburg, covering open heathland, boggy patches, and stretches of woodland. The ground shifts between sandy heath and denser forest, with small water channels running through the area.
The area was placed under protection in 1948 and officially designated as a nature reserve in 1958. Decades earlier, the land had been used for military training, which partly explains why large sections remained open and undeveloped.
The name Fischbeker Heide comes from the nearby village of Fischbek and the old German word for heath. Walking through the open sections, visitors can see sheep grazing on the land, which is part of the ongoing effort to keep the vegetation low and the heath open.
The most convenient starting point is near Scharlbargstieg, where parking is available and the main trail network begins. Boots or sturdy shoes are a good idea, especially in the boggy sections after wet weather.
A glider club has operated a small airfield inside the reserve since the early 1900s, which is unusual for a protected natural area. On weekends, visitors can watch gliders take off and land, or arrange a flight for themselves.
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