Luesswald Forest, a primeval forest in Suedheide

Luesswald Forest east of Unterluess measures approximately 7,500 hectares and is one of the largest contiguous forest areas in Germany. Ancient forest
structures have survived the centuries here.

Luesswald - a royal forest

The
forest was here even at the end of the heathland farming era, when the
heathlands in the area reached to the horizon. The area of the Luesswald Forest
was mentioned as an imperial reserve in the first half of the 13th century, and
is even extensively marked on the map of the Elector of Hanover’s topographic
survey of 1777 as "Royal Forest".

Habitat for animals and plants

These old,
extensive forests are very valuable. They offer habitats to many animals and
plants. The red deer as the largest indigenous wild species is just as much at
home here as rare and susceptible species such as the black stork - even the
pygmy owl lives in the forests of Luess.

The
forest areas are very rich in structure: in some places you can find over 100-year-old
Douglas firs, beeches, oaks and spruces, all of which are of very special value
for nature. The large black woodpecker, for example, requires thick beech
trunks for its hollows and the rare stag beetle needs old oak trees as a habitat.

Nearby,
young trees grow from the seeds of the old trees - the natural regeneration of
the forest is fully functional and ensures a mixed age structure.

A
forest meadow at the edge of the trail is used by game to search for food, and
a dense young beech forest is followed by an over 180-year-old oak forest. The Luessberg is one of the largest
elevations in the area: it rises 130 metres above sea level and features a memorial
stone commemorating the great hurricane of November 12, 1972, which at the time
cut large wounds into the stock of Luesswald Forest.

The hiking trails in Luesswald forest take the hiker to a natural forest reserve: all forestry activity in this section of
the forest ceased back in 1973. The forest is left to itself. Although there is
a general ban on access, you can still see the special charm of this forest
from the path.

The
natural forest reserve enables us to observe the natural processes that take
place in nature and also teaches professionals a great deal about forest life.
Over time, a particularly high structural diversity has developed here that is of
great value to animal and plant species with special demands on their habitat.
Trees of all ages are characteristic of a natural forest as in Luess: the trees
are allowed to live until they die of natural causes. Young trees mature in the
shelter of the old ones. When a large tree falls, it creates new open spaces: at
first sunny glades where forest lizards feel at home and stags and deer find
food; later on, the spaces are inhabited by young trees. Dead wood is also very
important - numerous animal species depend on it, and rotten wood often forms
the seed bed for a later generation of wood.

Luesswald
Forest reveals many a woodland secret to the attentive observer.

The
following round trips lead through the Luesswald area:

•
"The jungle in Luess"

• A
forest adventure trail

• Themed
bicycle tour: "Forest - as far as the eye can see"

Further
information can be found in the attachment below.

Directions:

You can
reach Luesswald Forest from the "Luesswald" car park. From there,
start hiking or cycling through the Luesswald woodlands, where the natural
forest reserve is also located. Detailed information about the tours can be
found below in the section "This may interest you".

The car
park "Luesswald" is located on the L 280 coming from Unterluess in the
direction of Weyhausen, about 1 km from Unterluess on the left side.

Coordinates:N52.828137 E10.313451