Protected Areas in North Rhine-Westphalia

Protected areas in North Rhine-Westphalia are legally designated zones managed to conserve natural habitats, biodiversity, and specific landscapes. These include national parks, nature parks, and other conservation areas. This collection aggregates routes within several of these areas, offering structured opportunities for low-impact recreation like hiking and cycling.

North Rhine-Westphalia contains Germany's only national park, Eifel National Park, and its oldest nature park, Siebengebirge. Other significant areas include the large Arnsberg Forest and the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park. This page features routes in areas such as the marshlands of Kerkener Bruch and the forests of Lsg-Ratinger Stadtwald Süd-West.

The primary activities are hiking, cycling, and mountain biking, with over 480 routes available across the featured areas. Specific guides exist for Hiking in North Rhine-Westphalia and Cycling in North Rhine-Westphalia. The varied terrain supports everything from road cycling to jogging and gravel biking.

The term 'protected area' is a broad category that includes various types of conservation zones, such as national parks and nature parks. 'Nature reserves' (*Naturschutzgebiete*) are a specific type of protected area with very strict conservation rules. While this page covers a selection of protected areas, there is a separate collection for Nature Reserves in North Rhine-Westphalia, which often have more stringent regulations.

The Lsg-Ratinger Stadtwald Süd-West features mixed forests and stream valleys. It offers a large number of routes, including over 50 hiking trails, 28 touring bicycle routes, and 24 road cycling routes. The area's diverse trail network also accommodates mountain biking and jogging.

Kerkener Bruch is characterized by its marsh and fen landscapes. The routes here pass through a mix of forests and open fields, typical of this lowland habitat. It is a popular area for cycling, with over 25 touring bicycle routes and 35 road cycling routes available.

The Schaephuysener Höhen is known for its surprisingly hilly terrain in an otherwise flat region. This topography makes it a popular destination for road cyclists, with over 35 routes. The area also contains unique hollow ways and forests, with more than 40 hiking trails to explore.

Yes, many protected areas offer routes suitable for beginners or families with children. The trail networks often include shorter, less strenuous options. For a curated selection of accessible trails across the state, see the guide to Easy hikes in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Yes, North Rhine-Westphalia is home to one national park, the Eifel National Park. It protects extensive beech forests and provides habitat for thousands of species. The park's motto is "Let nature be nature," allowing large areas to return to a primeval state.

North Rhine-Westphalia has twelve nature parks. Some of the most well-known are the Siebengebirge Nature Park near Bonn, Germany's oldest, and the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park, the state's largest. Other notable parks include Arnsberg Forest and Teutoburg Forest / Egge Hills Nature Park.

Yes, hiking is a dominant activity in the protected areas featured on this page. Combined, areas like Lsg-Ratinger Stadtwald Süd-West, Kerkener Bruch, and Schaephuysener Höhen offer over 150 designated hiking trails. These routes explore a variety of landscapes, from forests and hills to marshlands.

Cycling is very popular, with options for both road cycling and touring. The featured protected areas offer over 80 touring bicycle routes and more than 90 road cycling routes. The varied terrain includes the flat marshlands of Kerkener Bruch and the hilly landscape of Schaephuysener Höhen, catering to different cycling preferences.