The nature preserve Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue

The preserve consists of the Rhine River island Kühkopf, the Old Rhine River of Stockstadt-Erfelden, the area between the southern banks of the Old Rhine River and the Königsdeich (King’s Dyke), the forest pastures of the Knoblochsaue, the Peterswert, and the Old Rhine branch of the Schusterwörth.

With its 2370 hectares it is by far the largest nature preserve of Hesse. It has been confered the title of a European preserve by UNESCO.

According to the Regierungspräsidium in Darmstadt it also falls within the scope Fauna , Flora , Habitat (FFH) of the European Union. In other words, it is because of its ecological significance that it ranks high among European standards.

The mere Kühkopf covers about 1700 hectares, 1oo to 350 of which are shallow waters. 150 ha consist of reed, and 650 ha are wooded meadows, 150 ha of poplar trees are cultivated by the forest administration to become part of the natural forest.

In the centre of the island and in the Knoblochsaue 700 ha are extensively exploited as pasturesand meadows. On 150 ha of ploughland abandoned in 1983 the hardwood forest reconquers its original grounds.

The European nature preserve is a popular greenbelt recreation area. At peak visiting time in May more than 7000 walkers and cyclists have been counted. There are 60 km of public footpaths on which you may take a circular walk of 17 km mostly on the old summer dykes.

As in most preserves and natural parks you are not allowed to leave the public footpaths.

The project of having recreational areas side by side with strictly prohibited kernel zones has proved to be good in big nature preserves. It is just because of these preservational restrictions that we will still be able to see and watch species of animals that have become more and more rare in Europe.

We recommend to watch the wild-life from the concealed look-out at the Schlappeswörth River.

Don’t forget to take your binoculars !

(From :H. Klemp , Der Atem der Auen)

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