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Niederwälder bei Visbeck- Coppice forests near Visbeck west of Meschede

· 13 reviews · Hiking trail · Sauerland
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  • Niederwald bei Meschede-Visbeck
    Niederwald bei Meschede-Visbeck
    Photo: Biologische Station Hochsauerlandkreis
m 450 400 350 300 250 8 6 4 2 km
Coppice forests have become rare. These witnesses to historical forest use fascinate with their multi-stemmed trees that have grown into interesting shapes. The conservation of such forests is a special concern of nature conservation.
moderate
Distance 9.3 km
3:00 h
275 m
275 m
452 m
280 m
On the elongated Hardt ridge north of the town of Visbek in Meschede there are two nature reserves: "Coppice Forests near Visbeck" and "Odin Coppice Forest". Coppice forest trees regenerate from stump shoots. The wood is harvested by cutting the tree trunks off just above the root in a cycle of 15 to 30 years. Multiple new stems then grow from the stumps or from the roots. In present-day North Rhine-Westphalia less than one percent of the forest area is managed in this way.

Due to the special form of coppice usage the forest is flooded with much more light than in conventionally-used forests. This amount of light penetrating the tree canopy permits a thick covering of mosses and lichens to grow on the bizarrely shaped trunks of trees (i.e. as epiphytes), and also allows a strong undergrowth of dwarf shrubs such as Blueberry, Lingonberry and Heather.

On your hike through the coppice forests you can repeatedly enjoy views of the low-mountain landscape of the so-called "Caller Schweiz" (Calle Switzerland) region and you will walk around the Resmecke Stream valley that is characterised by grassland and hedgerows. There or in the surrounding wind-throw areas, you can with luck see the Red-backed Shrike. The Raven, which had become extinct in our region, has meanwhile returned and is again common in the countryside around Visbeck.

Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
452 m
Lowest point
280 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 22.41%Dirt road 41.36%Forested/wild trail 28.45%Path 6.51%Road 5.10%
Asphalt
2.1 km
Dirt road
3.8 km
Forested/wild trail
2.6 km
Path
0.6 km
Road
0.5 km
Show elevation profile

Start

Wengeler Höhe, Meschede-Visbeck (408 m)
Coordinates:
DD
51.336827, 8.118128
DMS
51°20'12.6"N 8°07'05.3"E
UTM
32U 438568 5687651
w3w 
///ancient.derogatory.darkened

Destination

Wengeler Höhe, Meschede-Visbeck

Turn-by-turn directions

Follow the trail marked V3 in white letters on a black background. The trail leads through the village of Visbeck.

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

There is an alternative starting point for the circular trail in Visbeck at the bus stop called "Ort".

For current timetable information, please visit: http://efa.vrr.de

Getting there

The village of Visbeck is located about eleven kilometres southwest of Meschede. Before the bus stop called "Ort", take district road 12 (towards Odin), which goes steeply uphill to the starting point of the hiking route northwest of Visbeck. At the highest point of the road forest paths go off to the left and right. You can park here.

Address for satnavs: Zum Odin – Kreuzung K12 Wengeler Höhe, 59872 Visbeck (Meschede)

GPS (UTM): 32 U 438555, 5687644

Google coordinates: 51.336760, 8.117930

Parking

There is no dedicated nature reserve car park. Please park your vehicle beside the road, taking care not to cause obstruction (to forestry vehicles etc.)

Coordinates

DD
51.336827, 8.118128
DMS
51°20'12.6"N 8°07'05.3"E
UTM
32U 438568 5687651
w3w 
///ancient.derogatory.darkened
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Book "Naturschätze Südwestfalens entdecken" (ISBN: 9783000481215)

Author’s map recommendations

Hiking maps "Wanderkarte Sundern", 1 : 25.000 (ISBN: 9783981435306, price: 7.50 €) and "Wanderkarte Eslohe", 1 : 25.000 (price: 5.90 €)

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, and possibly a backpack snack

Questions and answers

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Rating

4.7
(13)
Franz Luthe 
March 11, 2021 · Community
Eine superschöne Wanderung mit einem tollen Kammweg durch die Niederwälder. Das Sterben der Fichten und die damit verbundenen Kahlschläge haben zu neuen schönen Sichten geführt. Wir haben die Tour mit einer östlichen Schleife um den Hainberg verlängert. Ein kleiner Teil des Weges ist aber gerade durch Forstmaschinen aufgewühlt. Im westlichen Teil nutzen wir statt des V3 den Kammweg AT, da hier der V3 durch einen Fichteneinschlag führt. Diese neue Streckenführung haben wir (dieSchlenderer) in outdooractive unter "Visbeck und seine Niederwälder" dargestellt.
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Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
9.3 km
Duration
3:00 h
Ascent
275 m
Descent
275 m
Highest point
452 m
Lowest point
280 m
Circular route Scenic Flora Fauna

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