Höhlengebiet im Kleinen Deister, Nature reserve with limestone caves in Springe, Germany
The Höhlengebiet im Kleinen Deister is a nature reserve in the Hannover region featuring roughly 109 hectares on northeastern-facing slopes. A two-kilometer-long limestone cliff edge frames the landscape, with mixed forests and several natural cave openings defining its character.
The site received formal protection in December 2018, replacing the former Saupark reserve while maintaining its position in historic hunting grounds. The limestone cliffs and caves have drawn and shaped human activity for a very long time.
Parts of the area carry names linked to former settlements and fortifications, showing how people have long been connected to this landscape. Visitors today can still observe traces of these historical ties while walking through the forests.
The area is accessible via natural pathways through beech forests and along limestone cliffs without major obstacles for regular hikers. Spring through fall offers the best visiting conditions, when the paths are dry and vegetation is easy to observe.
The caves serve as natural winter refuges for several bat species including the greater mouse-eared bat and pond bat, providing unique observation chances. These bats leave the caves during warmer months, meaning access conditions vary depending on the season.
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