Teufelsee und Pfaffensee zwischen Echzell und Reichelsheim-Weckesheim

Teufelsee and Pfaffensee form a nature reserve with two lakes surrounded by forest areas, together covering roughly 94 hectares. Three observation towers offer views of both lakes, and paved paths connect the access points from the nearby towns.

The area resulted from brown coal mining that extracted roughly 18 million cubic meters until 1989 and significantly reshaped the land. After mining ended, the site was transformed between 1990 and 1998 and later designated as a nature reserve.

The lakes serve as stopover points for traveling bird species, including red-necked grebes and many migratory birds that rest and feed here. Visitors can watch this activity from the observation towers and discover the variety of species across the seasons.

Paved paths make it comfortable to walk to the three observation towers, which are reachable without long hikes. Access points from Reichelsheim, Echzell, and Weckesheim offer different starting points depending on where you begin.

Specialized amphibian waters line the shore zones and provide habitat for rare frog and newt species. Around 5 kilometers of hedgerow structures run through the area and serve as nesting and shelter places for songbirds.

Location: Echzell

Location: Reichelsheim

Inception: 1998

GPS coordinates: 50.37434,8.85565

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46