Worringer Bruch
A roughly 164-hectare wetland and floodplain area on Cologne's far northern edge, protected since 1991 and home to rare plants and animals.
On Cologne's far northern edge, right beside the district of Worringen, lies the Worringer Bruch – a sprawling, marshy lowland that grew out of an ancient arm of the Rhine. Today it is a quiet floodplain landscape and a valuable refuge for many plant and animal species.
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Area
- roughly 164 hectares
- Location
- the far north of Cologne, next to the Worringen district at the city limits
- Origins
- a silted-up meander loop of the Rhine, cut off around 8,000 years ago from the river that now flows nearly three kilometres away
- Notable fact
- at 37.5 m above sea level, the lowest point in Cologne
- Protection status
- designated a nature reserve since 1991
- Character
- floodplain and wetland, one of Cologne's "green lungs"
Origins & Landscape
The Worringer Bruch is a piece of Rhine history: some 8,000 years ago a meander loop was separated from the main river, which shifted its course and now runs almost three kilometres away. What remained is a largely silted-up former channel whose water level still depends closely on the level of the Rhine. The area takes its name from the neighbouring district of Worringen, once an independent town with more than a thousand years of history, first documented in 922. The landscape is shaped above all by its floodplain character, complemented by various types of woodland and cultivated land such as pastures and orchards.
Wildlife
Because large parts of the Bruch are hard for people to reach, a largely undisturbed habitat has been able to develop. Birds such as the nightingale, golden oriole, marsh harrier, black woodpecker, long-eared owl and honey buzzard live here, alongside amphibians and reptiles including the common toad, great crested newt and slow worm. Several bat species as well as mammals like the coypu (nutria) and raccoon also belong to the area's fauna.
Recreation
As one of Cologne's "green lungs," the Worringer Bruch is highly valued for experiencing nature and finding rest. Walking its paths lets you explore the floodplain and observe both flora and fauna – a rewarding destination for anyone seeking quiet and nature away from the city.
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Map
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Hours
So: 00:00–24:00
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Sources & links
Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-08-01
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