Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden, Protected area in Eching, Germany

Mallertshofer Holz mit Heiden is a protected nature reserve north of Munich composed of pine forests, heath meadows, and open gravel zones spanning across several municipalities. The terrain varies between wooded sections and open areas with different soil types that support different plant communities.

About 430 hectares of today's reserve were a Bundeswehr troop training area and tank range. From 2008 the federal real estate agency negotiated with Garching and Eching to hand the land over under the National Natural Heritage programme; the transfer took place in April 2013, and the Heideflächenverein now manages it. The reserve itself has existed since 1995 under designation NSG-00501.01.

The name Mallertshofen comes from the Bavarian personal name Madalhart, first recorded as Madalhartshoven in the 12th century. The hamlet had two full farms and was abandoned around 1880, when the remaining farm buildings were demolished. Only the listed St. Martin Church survived, standing alone at the eastern edge of the deserted settlement; its present appearance dates from 17th-century alterations, and it serves as a subsidiary church of St. Korbinian in Lohhof.

Visitors must stay on marked paths and keep dogs leashed to protect the sensitive ecosystems and rare species living here. Following these guidelines helps preserve the natural environment for everyone.

A former gravel quarry called Kastner Grube has naturally transformed into a diverse habitat that now supports endangered species within the reserve. This site demonstrates how nature can recover and thrive even on land previously altered by human activity.