Hölle, Nature reserve in Rettenbach and Brennberg, Germany
Hölle is a nature reserve spanning wooded terrain in the Rettenbach and Brennberg area, shaped by large granite boulders that scatter across the landscape and form a stone sea. The Höllbach stream runs through the reserve, creating a varied terrain of rocky formations and forested slopes.
An early-20th-century hydroelectric plant on the Höllbach significantly altered the natural water flows through the area. This industrial intervention prompted later conservation efforts to restore more natural water patterns in the landscape.
The reserve reflects decades of conservation work aimed at restoring the landscape to a more natural state after industrial changes. Today, visitors can see how the area is recovering as environmental protections take effect.
A circular hiking trail of about 4 kilometers winds through the reserve with roughly 80 meters of elevation gain, accessed from the Lösmühle parking area. The route is well-marked for all fitness levels, though sturdy footwear is recommended because of the rocky granite terrain.
The Höllbach stream produces distinctive sounds as it flows beneath massive granite formations, creating what seems like a pulsing rhythm through the stone. These acoustic effects result from how water moves between the rocks and make the reserve notable for its unusual sensory qualities.
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