Drover Heide, Nature reserve in Kreuzau, Germany
The Drover Heide is a nature reserve spanning hundreds of hectares with different habitat types connected throughout the area. The landscape combines heathland, forest, and pastures where cattle and goats graze.
The area served as a military training site from 1914 until 2004, when it was opened to the public. The long period of military use left marks that remain visible in the landscape today.
The reserve provides habitat for rare bird species and plants that are protected across Europe. Visitors can observe wildlife that is difficult to find elsewhere and experience a landscape actively maintained for conservation purposes.
Visitors should stay on marked paths because remnants from wartime remain in the ground across the area. Sturdy footwear is advisable and marked routes should be followed at all times.
The area contains the Drover-Berg tunnel, an ancient structure from Roman times that channeled water from a spring through rock formations. This underground water system shows that the region was already being used many centuries ago.
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