Große Höhe, Nature reserve between Ganderkesee and Prinzhöfte, Germany.
Große Höhe is a nature reserve between Ganderkesee and Prinzhöfte covering about 89 hectares of inland dunes with oak forests, open sandy areas, nutrient-poor grasslands, and heathland. A public road cuts through the terrain, and a gliding airfield sits along its western boundary.
The area received official nature reserve status on July 6, 2019, and became part of the larger Delmetal FFH protected area between Harpstedt and Delmenhorst. This designation recognized the ecological importance of the inland dunes and their specialized habitats.
The name refers to the high sandy dunes that characterize the terrain. The open heathlands and birch groves here reflect how this type of Lower Saxony landscape has looked and felt for many generations.
The reserve is accessible during daylight hours but can be challenging to navigate because the sandy dunes create uneven terrain with shifting surfaces. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and visitors should be aware of gliding aircraft activity along the western edge.
The old oak forests here contain large amounts of deadwood and fallen material that support specialized communities of fungi and insects. This decaying wood forms a vital habitat that many visitors overlook despite seeing it throughout their walk.
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