The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Elbsee

Take a break with a larger group of up to 15 people.

The Hoxbach stream is crossed over large boulders. The Hoxbach and the Sandbach, into which the Krebsbach flows near Kesselsweier, are two parallel, near-natural, meandering sandy streams with steep banks, small sandbanks, and slow-flowing and fast-flowing sections. They flow into the Stadtwaldteich pond in the west. See: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildener_Stadtwald,_Bereich_Sandbach-Krebsbach

The Hoxbach and the Sandbach, into which the Krebsbach flows near Kesselsweier, are two near-natural, meandering sand streams with steep banks, small sandbanks, and slow-flowing and fast-flowing sections. See: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildener_Stadtwald,_Bereich_Sandbach-Krebsbach

The Hoxbach and the Sandbach, into which the Krebsbach flows near Kesselsweier, are two near-natural, meandering sand streams with steep banks, small sandbanks, and slow-flowing and fast-flowing sections. See: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildener_Stadtwald,_Bereich_Sandbach-Krebsbach

The Hoxbach and the Sandbach, into which the Krebsbach flows near Kesselsweier, are two near-natural, meandering sand streams with steep banks, small sandbanks, and slow-flowing and fast-flowing sections. See: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildener_Stadtwald,_Bereich_Sandbach-Krebsbach

Beautiful old town center. A walking path along the city wall and quaint alleyways in the city center. It's best to set off early if the weather is nice. The parking lot at the Rhine Gate quickly fills up around midday, and the outdoor seating areas of the restaurants and cafés are packed by 1 p.m.

Lake Menzel is a disused gravel pit in the south of Düsseldorf, created during gravel mining in the 1970s and 1980s. After industrial use ceased, the area was gradually returned to nature and developed into an important refuge for animals and plants. Today, Lake Menzel is part of a designated nature reserve and is one of the most ecologically valuable bodies of still water in the region. The lake covers an area of approximately 18 hectares and is up to 15 meters deep. Due to its secluded location, the surrounding forests, and extensive land use, a largely undisturbed habitat has developed here. Bird species such as great crested grebes, little grebes, grey herons, and various duck species find breeding and resting sites here. Amphibians, dragonflies, bats, and rare insects also benefit from the natural structures and largely untouched shoreline. Technically speaking, Lake Menzel is a residual body of water from gravel mining. After mining ceased, the pit was not completely filled but flooded. The groundwater level naturally filled the basin. Due to the lack of tourist or recreational development, the lake remained largely untouched – a rarity in urban areas. There are no paved shores, no bathing infrastructure, and no access roads to the water. The shore is largely covered with reeds, rushes, bushes, and trees – ideal conditions for breeding birds and shy wildlife. Access to the lake is deliberately restricted. A circular path leads around the area at a respectful distance, allowing for nature observation without disturbing the wildlife. In some places, there are observation points or benches from which, with a little patience and binoculars, rare bird species can be observed. Lake Menzel is an excellent example of successful reuse of former mining areas. It demonstrates how the deliberate withdrawal of human use can create a high-quality biotope that is not only ecologically valuable but also scenically attractive. The lake is a worthwhile destination for nature-loving walkers, hikers, and ornithologists – especially in the morning hours or during migration in spring and autumn.

On this short stretch, you feel like you're no longer in Germany. #JurassicParkVibes.