Lippeaue - Lippe Floodplain west of Herzfeld and Hovestadt

0:30 h
6.41 km
11 m
14 m
66 m
70 m
4 m
Start: Kreuzweg in Herzfeld
Destination: Kreuzweg in Herzfeld

Near-natural meadows and river sections, semi-wild cattle and horses, wading birds and waterfowl, as well as breeding White Storks – all these are to be seen in the floodplain of the River Lippe. Observation points allow you to experience the nature of the area.

The Lippe floodplain is located in the north of the District of Soest. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lippe River Management Association and the NRW Foundation undertake a great deal of conservation work in the Lippe floodplain. Since the mid-1990s, about 15 km of the Lippe have been restored.

The Lippe floodplain is rich in different habitats: The gently flowing River Lippe, meadows and pastures, dry sand heaths, tall forb communities, small woods, ponds, pools and streams. The Tall Oat-Grass meadows and the wet meadows offer habitats for rare species of plant: Pepper Saxifrage, Yellow Meadow Rue, Meadow Fleabane and Yellow Rattle all grow here. The sandy river terraces are the realm of specialist plants: Petty Whin, Small Cudweed and Heather cope here with the nutrient-poor conditions that make life impossible for other species.

Wading birds such as Snipe and Greenshank, duck species like Widgeon and Teal, as well as Cranes, are just some of the species that overwinter in the Lippe Floodplain or stop off during migration.

Pavements

Unknown

Street

Asphalt

Path

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

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Directions

From the starting point in Herzfeld you cycle southward through the meadows towards Schloss Hovestadt. You cross the River Lippe and turn right in Hovestadt into the street "Im Segenkamp". After a few metres you cycle along the Lippe until the crossroads at Kesseler. There, the path leads north again. You cross the Lippe and at the crossroads the cycle path leads back to Herzfeld.

Tour information

Loop Road

Equipment

You are recommended to take binoculars for bird watching.

Directions & Parking facilities

You can reach Herzfeld via the B475 trunk road if in Lippborg you follow directions to Herzfeld or in Oestinghausen you follow directions to Hovestadt.

Arriving from Hovestadt, you can park at the bridge directly at the town entrance of Herzfeld.

Additional information

In Herzfeld you can visit the St. Ida Basilika and in Hovestadt enjoy the baroque garden of the stately home Schloss Hovestadt.

Author

Natalia Jaworski

Organization

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Biologischer Umweltschutz im Kreis Soest e.V

Website

License (master data)

Natalia Jaworski