Am Hornpottweg, Protected nature reserve in Dünnwald, Cologne, Germany.
Am Hornpottweg is a protected nature reserve in Dünnwald featuring wetlands and woodland paths across a former gravel extraction site. More than 60 bird species inhabit the area along with various other wildlife.
The site was once used for extracting gravel and stone for construction purposes. After mining stopped, it gained official protected status in 1989 and formal designation as a nature reserve two years later.
The name comes from an old field path that once ran through this area. Visitors can observe how local ecosystems function with the plants and animals that naturally belong to this region.
A walking path circles the entire area and can be completed in roughly 30 minutes. The trail is easily walkable but sturdy shoes are recommended, especially after rain when wet areas may develop.
Water buffalo and Galloway cattle roam freely here and help maintain the wetland landscape through natural grazing. Their presence as living land managers makes this reserve distinctly different from typical protected areas.
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