Geisterholz, Nature preserve in Ennigerloh and Oelde, Germany
Geisterholz is a protected forest area spanning roughly 300 hectares between Ennigerloh and Oelde in North Rhine-Westphalia. The terrain is characterized by oak-hornbeam woodland with a network of walking paths running through it.
The woodland was officially protected in 2003 to safeguard its ecological systems. This step was taken to counter growing pressures on natural habitats in the region.
The woodland shapes the landscape with its old oak and hornbeam trees that visitors encounter while walking through. Local residents regularly use and maintain the paths that wind through the area.
Access to the area is possible year-round, mainly via roads on the southern and northeastern edges. Visitors should bring suitable footwear for woodland paths and be prepared for natural conditions.
A network of drainage ditches runs through the area, many of which have been decommissioned to allow the water balance to develop more naturally. This redesign enabled the woodland to self-regulate and recover its original structure.
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