Tippelsberg–Berger Mühle, nature reserve in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
The Tippelsberg-Berger Mühle protected area is a nature reserve in Bochum comprising forests, wetlands, and streams across roughly 53 hectares. A network of paths leads visitors through beech and oak woods, along ponds, and past areas of marsh horsetail and other plants adapted to moist ground.
The reserve was officially designated as a protected area in 1989 and added to the city's landscape plan in 1998. The Tippelsberg itself was formerly used as a dumping site for construction debris before transforming into a green space supporting diverse wildlife and plant species.
The reserve serves as an important retreat for Bochum residents in the densely built industrial region. Families and nature enthusiasts use the forests and wetlands to escape daily life and experience the rhythms of the seasons directly.
The trail begins at a small parking area at the corner of Stembergstraße and Zillertalstraße, where maps and information boards are posted. The approximately 5.5 kilometer loop is clearly marked and accommodates walkers and those with strollers, with shorter route options available if needed.
The area was once used as a dumping ground but has transformed into one of the region's most important habitats, particularly for large stands of marsh horsetail rarely found elsewhere in the Ruhr valley. This unexpected recovery demonstrates how nature can regenerate even after intensive human use.
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