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Grotenberg
Nature conservation area/natural monument
"Dance" on the volcano
Address
Grotenberg
34508 Willingen (Upland)
Telephone: +49 5632 / 9694353
Fax: +49 5632 / 9694395
Properties:
The subsoil of the Grotenberg nature reserve near Welleringhausen reveals secrets of past volcanic activity. The diabase rock found here, together with the south-facing slope and historical grazing by sheep and goats, forms the basis for unique vegetation. Plants such as heath carnation, field thyme and hot stonecrop flourish here.
On the southern slope of the Grotenberg, there are ten hectares of acidic nutrient-poor grassland, typical of the haggard diabase sites on the eastern edge of the Sauerland mountains. These silicate nutrient-poor grasslands are highly endangered in the Hessian low mountain ranges.
The nature reserve is located near the village to the north of Welleringhausen. On the surface of the Grotenberg, slate-like diabase tuffs, so-called "Schalsteine", are exposed. Historically, the upper slope of the Grotenberg was extensively grazed by sheep until spruce trees were planted at the end of the 1950s. In the meantime, the spruce trees have been removed as part of maintenance measures and extensive grazing with sheep and goats has taken place.
The core area of the nature reserve is characterized by strong Horsts of the marsh thistle, accompanied by creeping and thorny hair-grass as well as the stengeless thistle. Other nutrient-poor grassland species include tuberous buttercup, meadow knapweed, spring cinquefoil and spring sedge. Acidic soil conditions are indicated by species such as small dock and field heather, with Heid carnation occurring in high density.
In various places, the rock outcrops in small areas or is only covered by a thin layer of soil, creating special sites. In these rock and gravel areas, hare's-tail clover, stonecrop and rock quendel grow. A total of 163 vascular plant species have been recorded in the nature reserve, and lichens such as reindeer lichen and shield lichen are widespread on the rocks.
Characteristic bird species include red-backed shrike, great grey shrike and whitethroat. Among the six species of grasshopper, the rare warbler stands out, and eleven species of butterfly have been recorded.
The almost 7 km long Welleringhausen Volcano Trail, an educational circular trail, offers interesting insights into the geology, gold mining, history and nature of the area. Discover this unique place and contribute to the preservation of this valuable biotope by following the visitor instructions!
On the southern slope of the Grotenberg, there are ten hectares of acidic nutrient-poor grassland, typical of the haggard diabase sites on the eastern edge of the Sauerland mountains. These silicate nutrient-poor grasslands are highly endangered in the Hessian low mountain ranges.
The nature reserve is located near the village to the north of Welleringhausen. On the surface of the Grotenberg, slate-like diabase tuffs, so-called "Schalsteine", are exposed. Historically, the upper slope of the Grotenberg was extensively grazed by sheep until spruce trees were planted at the end of the 1950s. In the meantime, the spruce trees have been removed as part of maintenance measures and extensive grazing with sheep and goats has taken place.
The core area of the nature reserve is characterized by strong Horsts of the marsh thistle, accompanied by creeping and thorny hair-grass as well as the stengeless thistle. Other nutrient-poor grassland species include tuberous buttercup, meadow knapweed, spring cinquefoil and spring sedge. Acidic soil conditions are indicated by species such as small dock and field heather, with Heid carnation occurring in high density.
In various places, the rock outcrops in small areas or is only covered by a thin layer of soil, creating special sites. In these rock and gravel areas, hare's-tail clover, stonecrop and rock quendel grow. A total of 163 vascular plant species have been recorded in the nature reserve, and lichens such as reindeer lichen and shield lichen are widespread on the rocks.
Characteristic bird species include red-backed shrike, great grey shrike and whitethroat. Among the six species of grasshopper, the rare warbler stands out, and eleven species of butterfly have been recorded.
The almost 7 km long Welleringhausen Volcano Trail, an educational circular trail, offers interesting insights into the geology, gold mining, history and nature of the area. Discover this unique place and contribute to the preservation of this valuable biotope by following the visitor instructions!
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