Mothäuser Heide, nature reserve in Sachsen, Germany
Mothäuser Heide is a large high moor in the Erzgebirge region covering more than four square kilometers. The terrain features open grassy areas, moss patches, small pools, and dense pine forests at the edges, all set on soft, often wet ground.
The moor formed around nine thousand years ago from mineral-rich water flowing from the ground, which gradually built up peat layers. In the 19th century, extensive drainage ditches were dug to harvest peat, but since the early 20th century, efforts have focused on protecting and naturally restoring the landscape.
The name Mothäuser Heide refers to the nearby village of Mothäus. Visitors experience here a quiet, open landscape with mosses, dwarf shrubs, and small pools that reflect the rhythm of moor life.
Paths through the moor have been redesigned to protect the fragile terrain, which may mean longer routes. Access to the core zone is restricted, but the site is easily accessible from Marienberg and visitors can walk on designated trails.
The moor holds about half a million cubic meters of water, comparable to a small dam. The peat layer reaches a depth of about 8 meters at the center and grows approximately one millimeter each year, showing how slowly this landscape develops.
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