The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Gescher

Interesting natural landscape. Many grey geese.

The Fürstenkuhle is a nature reserve of approximately 99 hectares and an FFH area of approximately 87 hectares within the city limits of Gescher.

The former raised bog has been largely drained and converted into pastureland. These pastures are now managed extensively, meaning minimal use of resources (fertilizers, pesticides, machinery) and labor. A few Heck cattle graze on the pastures to keep the grasslands flat and open. In some areas, shallow pools have been created to provide a habitat for marsh and aquatic animals and plants. Here, one can find, for example, smooth newts, common frogs, moor frogs, slow worms, and adders. A birch-dominated bog forest now grows on the dried-out peat. Emerging shrubs are removed at irregular intervals to maintain open areas. Along the paths, oaks, rowan trees, and alder buckthorn have been planted among the birches. The over 4,000 square meter heath pond (also called Fürstenkuhle) is an important refuge for various, sometimes rare, animal and plant species. Together with the adjacent moorland and dry and wet heaths, it offers diverse habitats, especially for endangered plant and animal species such as the round-leaved sundew, one of the few carnivorous plants in Germany, and the rare moor frog. During the mating season in March, the males display a vibrant blue coloration to attract the females. Their loud courtship chorus can be heard from afar. Visitors can also observe teal, shoveler, greenshank, snipe, and reed warbler. (Source: various information panels in the Fürstenkuhle)

The Fürstenkuhle (Prince's Hollow) is part of the northern section of the Weiße Venn (White Fen), formerly the largest moorland area in the Münsterland region. The name does not originate from a prince, but rather derives from the Low German term "Voskenkuhle" (foxhole). It refers to the moor and heathland pond area, considered a remnant of the once vast Weiße Venn. The name evolved over time from its original Low German form to its current form. (Wikipedia) In the 20th century, peat was extracted on a large scale from the Weiße Venn. The remaining moorland area, the Fürstenkuhle, was first designated a nature reserve in 1942, encompassing only 26.9 hectares. Today, the protected area covers approximately 100 hectares. The remaining core moorland zones are now very small. Nevertheless, they exhibit the typical species composition and are of great importance for habitat and species conservation. The EU (European Union) has therefore declared this area a NATURA 2000 site.

This designated highlight, "Pond at Fürstenkuhle," is not a pond in the traditional sense, but rather a series of shallow pools (Blänke), which are created and found in various forms throughout the Fürstenkuhle area. The former raised bog has been largely drained and converted into pastureland. These pastures are now managed extensively, meaning minimal use of resources (fertilizers, pesticides, machinery) and labor. A few Heck cattle graze on the pastures to keep the grasslands flat and open. Shallow pools have been created in some parts of the pastures to provide a habitat for marsh and aquatic animals and plants. Here, you can find, for example, smooth newts, common frogs, moor frogs, slow worms, and adders. The ditches flowing through the area have been equipped with small reservoirs. This creates a build-up of water that extends into the surrounding areas and even onto the paths, thus generating wet and damp surfaces. The aim is to prevent the growth of woody plants and encourage the establishment of plants that prefer wet conditions. The 4,000 square meter heathland pond, also known as Fürstenkuhle, is not located at this particular spot. However, it also serves as an important refuge for various, sometimes rare, animal and plant species. The round-leaved sundew, one of the few carnivorous plants in Germany, is exceptionally delicate and only a few centimeters tall. It can be found at the edge of the heathland pond and can be spotted from the viewing platform. The rare moor frog can also be found here. During the mating season in March, the males display a vibrant blue color to attract the females. And their loud mating calls can be heard from afar. You can also observe teal, shoveler, greenshank, snipe, and reed warbler. (Source: various information panels in the Fürstenkuhle)

The peat layer formed over time by sphagnum mosses is up to 1.5 meters thick. To protect the delicate plants and structures, narrow wooden walkways have been built in the core area. Cycling is prohibited in the Fürstenkuhle to prevent damage to the sensitive plants along the narrow paths, especially when passing pedestrians. 🚲⛔

This viewing platform stands on the southeast side of the lake. From the top, there is a good view of the entire lake. The lake was created by excavations and has since become a paradise for waterfowl and other rare animal species. Two information panels are located nearby. In this protected area, in addition to mallards and teals, gadwalls and shovelers have already bred. Other waterfowl, such as pintails and garganeys, can be observed during migration in spring. From mid-September, the first flocks of greater white-fronted geese are "lured" by the presence of greylag geese, and gradually barnacle and bean geese arrive, finding their winter quarters here. Towards the end of winter, in addition to numerous small birds, sometimes several thousand waterfowl of various species, such as divers, mergansers, herons, and rails, can be found. With a bit of luck, one can see the slender hen harriers in winter, hovering just above the ground in a graceful flight, searching for prey. From April onwards, marsh harriers migrate through with the same elegant flight style. Another special feature is the all-white great egret, and less frequently the small little egret, which migrate to their distant breeding grounds in spring. (Source: Information panel)

A lovely rest area with a direct view of the wetlands. The bench faces south, allowing you to enjoy the sun. In summer, the tree provides additional shade. An information panel explains who is involved in nature conservation and how the area came to be developed.