Tongrube Majefski, Nature reserve in Erkrath, Germany.
Tongrube Majefski is a nature reserve in Erkrath that developed from a former clay pit. Today the site features a large excavation pond surrounded by extensive reed beds, silver willow floodplains, and smaller ponds with submerged plants.
The clay pit closed operations in 1974 and received protected status in 1987, allowing natural ecosystems to gradually return. This transformation from industrial extraction to wildlife habitat demonstrates how former quarries can become significant natural spaces.
The reserve maintains geoscientific exposures of clay and siltstones from the Devonian period, preserving geological records for research and education.
The reserve sits close to residential areas and is accessible on foot or by bicycle, with pathways along the waterside. An amphibian tunnel safely connects the site to nearby Bayerpark, showing how nature corridors can link protected areas across developed land.
The steep clay and rocky slopes on the southern shoreline serve as nesting sites for kingfishers, showing how specialized birds use such habitats. These natural formations come directly from the earlier extraction period and have remained unaltered since.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
