Wahner Heide

The Wahner Heide forms the southern end of the Bergische Heideterrasse, a river terrace east of the Rhine that rises eight to ten metres above the adjoining lower terrace to the west. Its character lies in the close coexistence of opposing habitats. After the last ice age, wind piled sand into dunes where water drains away so quickly that – despite ample rainfall – dry grassland, heath, and pine and oak woods thrive. In the hollows, by contrast, water collects to form heath bogs, moor and floodplain woodland, complemented by water bodies such as the Quarzitsteinsee, the Kronenweiher and the former clay pit. This mosaic explains the wealth of wildlife: around 700 of the species living here are considered at risk.

A heath is not untouched wilderness but a cultural landscape shaped by people – many rare species survive only through active management. The sandy soils were never suited to arable farming and were used mainly as pasture until the 19th century. After the Belgian forces withdrew, traditional heath husbandry was re-established: around 300 goats graze mainly in the north during the summer months, keeping woodland in check, joined by some 50 Glan cattle whose grazing also helps preserve this rare breed.

Because of its former military use, much of the heath is still contaminated with ordnance. For that reason one rule applies: always stay on the marked trail network. Signs explicitly warn of the danger and urge visitors not to leave the paths. In the south, part of the area remains a military security zone (a German armed forces training ground) that may not be entered without authorisation.