Steinbruch Leimen, Nature reserve near Heidelberg, Germany

Steinbruch Leimen is a protected nature reserve near Heidelberg with rocky terrain and exposed stone formations. The site covers varied ground with different habitats that support the region's plant and animal life.

The site began as a limestone quarry that was worked for many years. Its conversion to a protected reserve in 1995 preserved the geological structures while allowing nature to reclaim the land.

The quarry's Muschelkalk walls and tunnel system are part of the FFH area Steinachtal and Kleiner Odenwald and the EU bird sanctuary that shares the reserve's boundaries. The site lies within the Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park, and its limestone exposures let visitors see the layered rock of the Bergstraße natural region up close.

The reserve lies about 600 metres northeast of Leimen's centre, toward Emmertsgrund, and can be reached on foot from Leimen S-Bahn station in roughly 15 minutes. Paths are uneven, so wear sturdy footwear and stay on marked trails; collecting plants or animals is prohibited.

An underground tunnel system left from limestone extraction now houses several bat species. These tunnels provide shelter that these animals depend on during colder months.