Badberg

Badberg is a nature reserve in the southern Upper Rhine lowland that protects diverse habitats and distinctive rock formations across its terrain. The site features steep slopes and warm sunny areas that create conditions for a wide variety of plants and animals to thrive.

The reserve received official protection in 1969 when regional authorities recognized its ecological value and designated it for long-term conservation. This early designation reflects awareness among authorities about the importance of safeguarding this specific landscape.

The Freiburg Regional Council manages educational programs and research activities focused on geological, botanical, and zoological studies in the reserve.

Several hiking paths cross the reserve, and visitors will find information boards with maps at the main entrances near Oberbergen and Alt-Vogtsburg. The slopes vary in steepness and can become slippery after rain, so appropriate footwear makes the visit more comfortable.

The southern slopes reach soil temperatures around 70 degrees Celsius during summer, creating extreme conditions for specialized species like the praying mantis. These unusual conditions make the area a valuable refuge for animals that require such heat to survive.