Biosphärenreservat Niedersächsische Elbtalaue, Biosphere reserve in Lower Saxony, Germany.
The Biosphärenreservat Niedersächsische Elbtalaue is a protected area in Lower Saxony that runs along the Elbe between Schnackenburg and Lauenburg. It covers flood meadows, sand dunes, oxbow lakes, dyke landscapes, and wooded ridges that together form a varied river corridor.
The stretch of land along the Elbe stayed largely untouched during the decades of German division, as the river marked the border between East and West and land use was heavily restricted. After reunification, the area was recognized as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2002.
Along the Elbe, there are designated observation points where visitors can watch white storks, white-tailed eagles, and other migratory birds. The river landscape draws people each year who walk the quiet paths along the dykes and through the flood meadows.
The reserve is easy to explore by bike, as several marked cycling routes pass through the dyke landscape and along the Elbe. Guided tours with nature guides can be booked in advance and help visitors understand the different zones of the area.
Because the inner-German border ran exactly through this stretch for decades, many riverbanks and flood plains were never farmed intensively. This makes the Elbe here one of the least altered river sections in Central Europe.
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