High Fens – Eifel Nature Park, Nature park in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
The High Fens-Eifel Nature Park spans the German-Belgian border and contains peat bogs, heathlands, and forested areas with varying terrain. Visitors walk through open moorlands dotted with low vegetation and darker woodlands, connected by a network of marked trails.
The peat bogs formed after the last ice age about 10,000 years ago through wet conditions and the gradual buildup of plant matter. The protected park was established in the 1970s to safeguard these sensitive moorlands across both nations.
Sheep herding on the heathlands is a centuries-old practice that visitors still encounter while exploring the park. This tradition shapes how the landscape looks today and connects modern visitors to the region's heritage.
Wear sturdy shoes and waterproof clothing since moorland terrain can be wet and muddy underfoot. Most pathways are clearly marked, but carrying a map or using a guide is helpful when weather conditions are poor.
Some zones have so little artificial light that visitors can see the Milky Way clearly on clear nights. These dark areas are increasingly rare and offer a special chance to experience the night sky as it once was.
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