Sandgrube im Jagen 86 des Grunewaldes, Protected nature reserve in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Germany.
Sandgrube im Jagen 86 is a protected area in the Grunewald forest in Berlin's Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district, set on the grounds of a former sand pit. The site features steep sandy slopes, open water surfaces, and dense willow thickets spread across a relatively small area.
Between 1966 and 1983, sand was extracted here in an open-pit operation to supply Berlin's construction industry, which created the hollows and slopes that still shape the terrain today. After closure, the land was left to recover on its own and was eventually designated a protected area.
The name "Jagen 86" refers to an old forestry parcel in the Grunewald, a numbering system still used today to identify sections of the forest. Walking through the area, visitors can see how sand, water, and shrubs exist side by side within a small space.
The site is reachable on foot from the Grunewald forest, with some paths running directly along the sandy slopes. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as the ground is sandy and can be slippery in certain spots.
The sandy slopes are home to ground-nesting wild bees and wasps that dig their nests directly into the loose sand. On warm days, their activity along the banks is easy to spot with the naked eye.
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