Oberes Selketal, Nature reserve in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
The Oberes Selketal is a protected reserve covering roughly 1600 hectares across several municipalities, with the Selke River running through its heart. The area includes deciduous forests, open meadows, and rocky slopes typical of the Harz Mountains landscape.
The reserve received protected status in 1998 as part of a regional effort to safeguard natural landscapes in Saxony-Anhalt. This designation was one among several steps the German government took to preserve ecosystems during that period.
The Köthener Hütte, designed to echo a small church, serves as a gathering spot where visitors and locals come together during their explorations. This meeting place reflects how the area draws people seeking both natural surroundings and community connection.
Multiple marked trails connect the surrounding towns and allow visitors to explore at their own pace throughout the reserve. The paths are accessible year-round, though conditions vary with weather and seasons.
A roughly 10-meter Pioneer Tunnel cuts through solid rock formations and gives hikers direct contact with the geological layers beneath their feet. This passage reveals the mineral composition that shapes the landscape.
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