Enkheimer Ried

Enkheimer Ried is a protected natural area in Frankfurt comprising multiple water bodies, with a central pond called Riedteich at its core. The reserve spans roughly 28 hectares and features walking trails that guide visitors through its diverse habitats.

The land transformed from swampy Main River floodplain into a series of ponds through peat extraction activities between 1829 and 1864. This industrial past created the conditions that shaped today's protected habitat.

The protected site offers pathways for visitors to observe rare orchids and European pond turtles in their natural habitat. These designated routes enable people to experience the wetland ecosystem while helping to preserve its delicate environments.

Multiple walking trails crisscross the reserve with varying difficulty levels for different visitors. GPS navigation data in GPX format is available for download to help with route planning.

The wetland formed unintentionally from industrial peat extraction, creating ideal conditions for endangered waterfowl species. This accidental outcome demonstrates how nature can reclaim and reshape human activities into thriving ecosystems.