Halde Schöttelheide, Coal mining spoil tip in Bottrop, Germany.
Halde Schöttelheide is a former mining site in Bottrop that rises as a green mound over the industrial landscape. The slopes are now covered with vegetation and form a natural structure with various walking paths leading to the top.
The mound was formed from materials extracted at Zeche Rheinpreußen during the peak of coal mining in the Ruhr region. After mining operations ceased, the site was naturally revegetated and converted into public recreational space.
The name references the nearby Schöttelheide area and reflects the region's mining heritage. Visitors find information panels on site that explain the industrial past and the environmental transformation.
The site is easily reached through several parking areas, and signage marks the different paths to the summit. During dry months the trails are well-maintained for walking, though after rain the surfaces can become slippery.
The mound is an example of spontaneous revegetation, where rocky deposits naturally transformed into green spaces without human intervention. This unplanned nature now supports rare plants and insects that have adapted to colonize artificially created habitats.
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