Kleines Lautertal, Protected natural area in Blaustein and Blaubeuren, Germany.
Kleines Lautertal is a protected natural area spanning between the towns of Blaustein and Blaubeuren, featuring steep rocky slopes, natural forests, and diverse grasslands. The reserve sits between 512 and 647 meters in elevation and forms an important part of this region's landscape.
The area received initial protection as a forest conservation area in 1974, then was formally designated as a nature reserve by the Tübingen Regional Council in 1995. This official status marked a turning point for safeguarding this landscape.
The valley shapes the natural character of the Swabian Jura with its juniper heaths, dry grasslands, and native forest communities. These habitats form part of the landscape that visitors encounter while walking through the area.
Three marked hiking routes cross the reserve, each taking between one and three hours depending on the path you choose. Parking areas are located near Bermaringen and at Weidacher Hütte, making access straightforward for most visitors.
The Kleine Lauter spring emerges from a karst pool near Lautern village and flows through Jurassic limestone before joining the Blau River near Herrlingen. This underground water source shapes the valley's character and drainage patterns.
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