Westruper Heide, Protected nature reserve in Haltern am See, Germany.
Westruper Heide is a protected nature reserve with sandy soil, characterized by expansive heathland areas, juniper groves, and diverse plant communities. The sandy terrain creates ideal conditions for the specialized plants that thrive in this habitat.
The area received protected status in 1937, following centuries of traditional farming that had transformed the original forest into heathland. This long period of human land use shaped the plant composition visible today.
The place is cared for by conservation groups and grazing sheep that continue traditional heathland farming methods passed down over centuries. This living heritage shapes how the landscape looks and changes with the seasons.
Multiple entry points are available from parking areas along Hullerner Street and Flaesheimer Dam, with accessible paths from Hotel Seehof. The sandy terrain means wearing sturdy footwear helps, though paths remain easy to walk on.
The reserve contains the last large areas of dwarf shrub heathland in Westphalia and provides habitat for endangered species like smooth snakes and woodlarks. These rare animals are hard to spot, but their presence makes this place special for those who know to look.
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