Heiliger Hain

The Heiliger Hain spans 56 hectares of heathland in Lower Saxony, containing sandy paths, moorland sections, and juniper vegetation throughout the protected territory.

Initial preservation efforts began in 1913 with 2.5 hectares set aside as a protected area, maintaining traditional sheep grazing practices while preventing agricultural development.

A Hamburg painter named this reserve after Arnold Böcklin's landscape painting, and the site later inspired Hermann Löns to write 'Der Quellenbrink' in 1912.

Visitors can explore the reserve through multiple hiking trails, with optimal viewing conditions during heather blooming season and guided tours available upon request.

The reserve houses a 17th-century thatched sheep barn at its center, which stands as the only building within the protected boundaries.

Location: Wahrenholz

Inception: 2013

GPS coordinates: 52.64110,10.57530

Latest update: March 2, 2025 23:17