Ruhraue/Wiener Weide/Die Ey/Hofstiepel in Bochum-Sued, Stiepel

Ruhraue/Wiener Weide/Die Ey/Hofstiepel is a protected landscape area along the Ruhr featuring meadows, hedgerows, and former industrial water facilities. The terrain consists of open fields with water bodies that structure the landscape and create different habitats.

The area was designated as a protected landscape reserve in 1998 and is now the largest of its kind in Bochum. The designation followed a shift from industrial uses to nature conservation across the Ruhr Valley.

The name Ruhraue refers to the riverside landscape that has been part of local life for generations. Residents use the meadows and pathways to walk and experience nature in their immediate surroundings.

The area is accessible via marked walking and cycling paths, and dog owners should keep their animals on leashes. Spring and summer offer the best visiting conditions when the meadows are lush and the paths dry.

The area shelters fire salamanders and various newt species in its stream systems, species often overlooked by visitors. These amphibians depend on clean waters and indicate the ecological quality of the place.