Attractions and Places To See around Natural Park Drover Heide - Top 20

Natural Park Drover Heide offers a diverse landscape including expansive heathlands, green meadows, wild woodlands, and idyllic small bodies of water. The park is particularly renowned for its ecological value and rich biodiversity. You can experience the unique beauty of the Drover Heath, especially when the heather blossoms in late summer.

The best time to visit is during late summer, particularly in August, when the heathlands transform into a vibrant purple landscape as the heather blossoms. This period showcases the Drover Heath in its full beauty, making it a highlight for nature lovers.

Drover Heide is an important bird sanctuary, home to over 130 bird species, including sensitive breeding and migratory birds like the European nightjar, woodlark, red-backed shrike, and great grey shrike. The small bodies of water also provide a habitat for primeval crayfish, great crested newts, and various amphibians like the pond frog and shy grass snakes, particularly around the Pond with water lilies and frogs.

Yes, on the western edge of the heath, you can find the "Helije Pütz," a spring dating back to Roman times, which is considered a ground monument. Additionally, the Drover Heide Nature Reserve itself was formerly a military training area for almost 100 years before being opened to the public as a nature reserve.

The park features a well-signposted, approximately 12-kilometer circular hiking trail that is considered family-friendly. This trail leads through open heathland, lush meadows, and sparse forests, occasionally crossing small bodies of water via wooden footbridges. Highlights like the Wooden Boardwalks Through Drover Heide offer unique walking experiences.

Yes, the main circular hiking trail is considered family-friendly and suitable for all fitness levels. The Wooden Boardwalks Through Drover Heide are also designed to be accessible and enjoyable for families, protecting both hikers and the delicate ecosystem. Many benches along the trails invite you to take a short rest.

Yes, starting from the "Wanderparkplatz Drover Heide (Nord)" on the K28, there is a barrier-free loop available. This route also includes a shortcut that leads to an elevated viewpoint, offering panoramic views of the open landscape.

Beyond hiking, the area around Natural Park Drover Heide offers various cycling opportunities. You can find numerous routes for cycling, mountain biking, and road cycling, ranging from easy to difficult, allowing you to explore the wider region.

Information flyers with overviews of the circular routes are available locally, and suitable hiking maps can be obtained in the Rureifel region. The Biologische Station des Kreises Düren, which cares for the nature reserve, also offers guided tours through Drover Heide.

Yes, for refreshments after your visit, several cozy restaurants and cafés are available in Drove and the surrounding area.

You can find parking at the "Wanderparkplatz Drover Heide (Nord)" on the K28, which is also the starting point for the barrier-free loop and the elevated viewpoint.

Visitors frequently praise the beauty of the landscape, especially when the heather is in bloom. The Wooden Boardwalks Through Drover Heide are particularly appreciated for allowing hikers to traverse humid habitats while protecting rare animals and plants, and for keeping feet dry. Many also enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity to observe wildlife.

The Drover Heide Nature Reserve is an approximately 600-hectare nature reserve and a European bird protection area. It is an important habitat for rare and endangered plant and animal species, including sensitive breeding and migratory birds. Its history as a former military training area contributes to its unique ecological development.

Yes, the park features several small bodies of water and sinks where water collects. These areas are vital habitats for amphibians. You can experience the Boardwalk Over the Frog Pond, where you might spot frogs, and the Pond with water lilies and frogs, known for its unique amphibian and reptile fauna, including grass snakes.