Braderuper Heide / Sylt, Protected heathland area in Wenningstedt-Braderup, Germany

Braderuper Heide is a protected nature reserve on Sylt that stretches between the villages of Braderup and Kampen. The area features wooden walkways and staircases that guide visitors through natural vegetation toward the Wadden Sea.

The area was designated a nature reserve under number 97, with the regulation dated 5 March 1979; the official listing year is 1987. The heathland arose after the clearing of former woodland, and grazing by wandering sheep flocks, mowing, sod removal and burning keep the heather from ageing and dying off.

The heath arose after the forests that once stood here were cleared, and grazing sheep flocks plus mowing, sod removal and burning keep the heather from ageing and dying off. The reserve is looked after by the Naturschutzgemeinschaft Sylt, and the heath is part of the FFH area of dune and heath landscapes of north and central Sylt.

The reserve lies along Sylt's east coast between Kampen and Braderup, bordering the Wadden Sea reserve to the east and Nielönn/Sylt to the north. Paths cross dunes, heath and salt marsh, so wear sturdy footwear. The heath is grazed by wandering sheep flocks and otherwise mown, turf-cut and burned to keep the heather from ageing.

The heath did not arise naturally: it grew on ground cleared of former woodland, and grazing sheep flocks plus mowing, sod removal and burning keep the heather from ageing and dying off. Without these measures, other plants would take over the open heath.