Königsbrücker Heide, Nature reserve in Saxony, Germany.
Königsbrücker Heide is a protected area in Saxony covering around 5,600 hectares with varied landscapes and habitats. The reserve includes open heathland, pine forests, wetlands, and water bodies that together support a wide range of plant and animal life.
From the early 1900s until the Berlin Wall fell, this area served as a military training ground and at times hosted Soviet nuclear weapons. After the Cold War ended, the land was gradually released and transformed into a protected nature reserve.
The name Königsbrücker Heide refers to the town of Königsbrück and the heath landscape that defines this region. Today visitors experience a place where nature dominates and people come to witness how wild spaces can exist close to populated areas.
Visitors must stay on marked trails because unexploded munitions remain from the military past. It is important to follow signage and heed safety instructions at the site to avoid any risks.
The area has become a refuge for wolves and other rare animals such as beavers and otters that had disappeared from the region. After decades of military use, the land transformed into a sanctuary for species that struggle to survive in heavily managed landscapes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
