Ruhrsteilhänge Hohensyburg, Nature reserve in Syburg district, Dortmund, Germany
The Ruhrsteilhänge Hohensyburg is a nature reserve with steep forest banks that runs along the Ruhr River, displaying mixed woodland and natural rock outcrops throughout the terrain. The site contains a network of walking paths that link various viewpoints along the slope.
The protected area was established in 1990 and incorporates land near the ancient Sigiburg fortress, which Charlemagne captured from the Saxons in 775. The fortress ruins remain visible in the landscape and anchor the region's long past.
The reserve draws local visitors who come to walk and watch wildlife, especially bird watchers looking for species along the river cliffs. People use the trails as an escape from the city to experience the woodland directly.
The best times to walk are early morning or late afternoon, when sunlight highlights the rock formations and wildlife is most active. Wear sturdy footwear, as the paths are steep and can become slippery in wet weather.
Wall lizards have established themselves in the rock crevices as rare inhabitants and can be spotted on sunny rocks from spring through autumn. These small reptiles are a specialty found in few places across the region.
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