The Leipzig alluvial forest (sometimes too Leipzig floodplain forest called) is a two-part landscape protection area in the Leipzig lowland bay with an area of 5,900 hectares. 1163 hectares of these form the Leipzig city forest. The Leipzig alluvial forest is the largest alluvial forest in Europe located in a city and one of the largest alluvial forests in Central Europe.
background
The Leipzig alluvial forest is one of the largest alluvial forests in Central Europe. It is located in the floodplain of Pleiße, Weißer Elster, Luppe and Parthe. This includes the following areas:
- The northern alluvial forest includes the Hintere Forst, the Gundorfer Lachen, the Burgaue, the Leutzscher Holz and the Rosental.
- The southern alluvial forest includes the kitchen wood, the Connewitzer wood (with wildlife park), the nun, the Lauer and the Zschochersche Winkel.
Between these two sections, on the western edge of the Leipzig city center, the alluvial forest has been redesigned into parks: Clara-Zetkin-Park, Johannapark, Palmengarten, Klingerhain, Richard-Wagner-Hain.
Flora and fauna
The tree population has been subject to strong fluctuations over the past 150 years. Nowadays you can find mostly ash, oak and maple, but also linden, black alder and bird cherry. The old stock of elms and black poplars has almost disappeared.
The other stock includes various shrubs and herbs. In spring, the ubiquitous wild garlic, which gives off its penetrating scent, is particularly noticeable. If you want to pick and prepare the leaves, you should do so before flowering and avoid confusing them with the poisonous lilies of the valley. No plants at all may be picked within the strict nature reserves (marked by signs).
Furthermore, the alluvial forest has a great diversity of species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, molluscs, fish and insects.
In 1991 that became Leipzig alluvial forest project founded by scientists from the University of Leipzig and the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research.
climate
getting there
The various sections of the alluvial forest can be reached with the Leipzig public transport lines, z. B. Tram line 11 to "Lützschena" for the Schlosspark Lützschena; Line 7 to "Südstraße" for the Burgaue; Bus line 80 to "Auensee"; Tram line 4 to "Am Mückenschlösschen" or "Stallbaumstraße" for the Rosental; Line 1 or 2 to "Klingerstraße" or "Holbeinstraße" or bus line 60 to "Nonnenweg" for the nun; the same lines to "Rödelstraße" for the kitchen wood; Bus route 70 or 107 "Wildpark" for the Connewitzer Holz; Bus route 65 to "Lauerscher Weg" for the Lauer.
The alluvial forest can also be easily reached (and explored) by bike, for example on the Elster cycle path or the bike route from downtown Leipzig through the wildlife park to Lake Cospuden. Both lead through different sections of the alluvial forest.
mobility
The best way to get through the alluvial forest is by bike or on foot. In particular, the Elster cycle path lengthways through the entire alluvial forest. In addition, riding is also possible in certain sections. There are riding stables, for example. B. on the edge of the Burgaue im Leipzig west. Another option is a canoe or kayak trip on the rivers in the alluvial forest (see below #Activities).
Tourist Attractions
Lützschena Castle Park
The 1 Lützschena Castle Park is a spacious (19 hectare) landscape park on the north-western edge of Leipzig. It stretches between the Weißen Elster and the Neue Luppe and was designed in the first half of the 19th century by the estate owner and art collector Maximilian Speck von Sternburg. There are e.g. B. a replicated Greek temple, various statues, chapels and the family crypt of the star castle. In the park is the Alluvial forest station, which provides information about the biodiversity in the Leipzig riparian forest.
Rose Valley
The Rosental is a beautiful, park-like local recreation area located in the northern part of the Leipzig floodplain forest. The 15 m high 2 Rosental observation tower stands on the "Scherbelberg" (officially Rose Valley Hill) an artificial 20 m high hill, which was created as a rubble dump at the end of the 19th century, but now looks like a natural hill. You have to be a bit free from giddiness to climb the airy steel construction. For this you will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view on the triangular viewing platform: In the near northeast, the Gohlis district can be seen over the allotment gardens. In the south-west, the silhouette of the city of Leipzig, about 3 km away, can be seen above the crown sea of the alluvial forest. Free access all year round. The Scherbelberg is a popular toboggan run in winter.
The 600-year-old stands 250 meters south of the “Scherbelberg” oldest and thickest tree of the alluvial forest. The is located about 300 meters north of the observation tower Rose Valley Pond - in the vernacular "frog pond". There is also a public barbecue area in the immediate vicinity.
The eastern part of the Rosental, closer to the city center (between the zoo, Waldstrasse district and the southern edge of Gohlis) is designed as a park. In its center is the big one 3 Rosentalwiese. People from Leipzig come here for walking and jogging, in summer for sunbathing and barbecuing and in autumn to fly kites. In July every year see here under the title Classic airleben Mass concerts of the Gewandhaus Orchestra take place in the open air. A special feature is the so-called 4 Zoo shop window: Visitors to the public Rosentalwiese, which is located at the back of the zoo, have the opportunity to peer into the zoo - more precisely the "African savannah" - and (if they are in the outdoor enclosure) to see animals such as zebras, giraffes and antelopes free of charge .
Information from the city of Leipzig on the Rosental recreation area can be found here.
wildlife Park
The 5 wildlife Park is a zoo surrounded by forest in Connewitz wood, in which predominantly native species (roe deer, wild boar, red deer, bison, lynx, elk) are kept in a comparatively natural environment. The wildlife park as such is freely accessible all year round. Only the adventure trail costs € 2 entry. Dogs are allowed - except on the adventure trail and in the pet farm. Open November – mid-March 9 am–5pm; Mid-March to October 9 am to 7 pm.
activities
- First and foremost, of course To stroll and To go biking
- The 1 Auensee Park Railway is a remnant of the former Luna Park, which was the largest amusement park in the German Reich from 1913 to 1932 and for which the artificial lake was created. The amusement park with its rides, hippodrome, booths and tourist restaurants went bankrupt in the wake of the global economic crisis. What remains - apart from the lake, of course - is the Liliput Railway, which was operated as a pioneer railway during the GDR era. Today it is organized as an e.V., but is still run with the participation of children and young people. The House Auensee - once the main restaurant and dance hall of the Lunapark - now serves as a concert hall for pop concerts.
- Boat trips: The Pleiße and the Floßgraben, which are among the most beautiful paddling routes in Leipzig, flow through the middle of the southern alluvial forest. The meandering raft ditch leads through a particularly natural part of the Connewitz wood. It was only cleared of the mud again in 2004 and thus made drivable. To protect the kingfishers, it is only allowed to use muscle-powered boats and only in the phases 11-13, 15-18 and 20-22, which is strictly controlled. On the other hand, trips with an electric boat are also possible on the Pleiße. There are boat rental companies and tour operators in or near the alluvial forest 2 Boat rental at Leipziger Eck (on the Pleiße, in Connewitzer Holz), 3 Boat rental at the wildlife park (on the Pleiße, in Connewitzer Holz; also offers tours with electric motor boats) and 4 Herold boat rental (on the White Elster, near the kitchen wood). A 2-person kayak or canoe usually costs around € 7 per hour.
- horse riding: At the edge of the alluvial forest are the 5 Böhlitz-Ehrenberg riding facility(Tram 7 "Südstraße") and the 6 Lukas riding stables in Leutzsch (Bus 67 "Mathiesenstrasse")
- Swimming in the 7 Waldsee Lauer - much quieter and more relaxed than the "hyped" one nearby North beach of the Cospudener See, but the beach is not that nice here and the shore is partly covered with reeds and other plants. As a rule, however, you can still find a suitable place to lie and swim. Nobody is interested in the question of textiles or nudism. Some visitors also bring their dogs.
to eat and drink
- Kurhaus Bienitz
- Crete in Burghausen
- Golden deer in Dölzig
- 1 Schlosskrug Gundorf ("The duck roast")
- 2 Domholzschänke, Domholz 1, 04435 Schkeuditz. Tel.: 49 (0)34205 - 41061, Fax: 49 (0)34205 - 41062, Email: [email protected]. In the summer months from April to October the tavern is open every day except Mondays until 10 p.m., in the remaining months every day except Mondays and Tuesdays until 6 p.m., on weekdays from 11 a.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. In addition to the guest room, the fireplace, the hunting room and the beer garden are available. The tavern has existed since 1928 and was rebuilt in 2006 after a fire.
- 3 Glass house in Clarapark. The main strength of this excursion restaurant is its location in the middle of Clara-Zetkin-Park. The dishes are not outstanding and the service depends on the type of day (at peak times you have to plan longer waiting times). In the summer it is highly recommended for a drink in the beer garden.
accommodation
- 1 Auensee campsite, Gustav-Esche-Str. 5, 04159 Leipzig. Tel.: (0)341-4651600, Email: [email protected]. Is located directly in the alluvial forest. Those who prefer a solid roof over their heads can stay overnight in a motel on the same site.
trips
literature
Web links
- Excursion and excursion guides to different parts of the alluvial forest on the Site of the city of Leipzig
- Leipzig alluvial forest
