Lauffener Neckarschlinge, Protected natural area in Lauffen am Neckar, Germany.

Lauffener Neckarschlinge is a 60.7-hectare nature reserve south of Lauffen am Neckar, protected since 17 March 1970 under number 1.028. It preserves a valley loop abandoned by the Neckar about 6,000 years ago, with a valley floor largely covered by marsh and floodplain forest and an almost unchanged Klebwald on Muschelkalk limestone.

The area was designated as a protected reserve in 1970 to safeguard an old loop of the Neckar River. This bend was abandoned by the river approximately 6000 years ago and now forms an important part of the local landscape history.

The name Neckarschlinge refers to the river loop the Neckar abandoned about 6,000 years ago, now a geological monument. The valley floor is largely covered by Bruch- and Auwald, and the Klebwald on Muschelkalk retains its typical flora and fauna.

The reserve is accessible through marked trails and offers year-round opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation. Sturdy footwear is recommended, as paths can become slippery after rain.

The valley floor is largely covered by Bruch- and Auwald (marsh and floodplain forest), while the slopes carry a still largely unchanged Klebwald on Muschelkalk limestone with its typical flora and fauna. The reserve protects this unusually rich plant stock as a geological monument.