Kremmener Luch, nature reserve in Brandenburg, Germany

The Kremmener Luch is a large protected nature reserve north of Kremmen covering roughly 1200 hectares, made up of forests, reed beds, meadows, and water bodies. The Kremmener Lake and the Kremmener Rhin river flow through the area, creating a mix of different habitats for plants and animals.

The Kremmener Luch was placed under nature protection by regulation on 22 September 2009, under reserve number 1083, covering 1186 hectares. The Kremmener See within it had already been protected in 1924. Drainage of the Luch for agriculture began more than 300 years ago, and most of it is now farmland.

The Kremmener Luch takes its name from the landscape type it represents, an old word for wetland and bog. Visitors can see how the area is used today: birdwatchers gather at observation hides, conservation volunteers work along the waterways, and small groups walk the paths through the wetlands.

The best time to explore is early morning when animals are active and the light is good for birdwatching. There are marked paths and observation hides, but the ground is soft and wet, so sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing are essential.

The Kremmener See inside the reserve was already protected in 1924, decades before the surrounding Luch followed on 22 September 2009. Cranes, beavers and otters can still be watched here. Drainage of the Luch began some 300 years ago, and most of it is now farmland that has lost its bog character.