Comprehensive Atlas of Protected Areas and Conservation Sites Throughout Germany

Donnersberg

Geological landscapes, Celtic heritage sites, and forested mountain terrain.

The Donnersberg massif represents a critical point of geographic and archaeological interest in Rhineland-Palatinate. This protected area encompasses a 24-square-kilometer rhyolite cryptodome featuring high-altitude plateaus, a complex network of forest ecosystems, and well-preserved remnants of ancient Celtic fortifications. Its steep slopes and diverse rock formations offer a clear look at the geological and historical layering of the German landscape.

Wildebach

Protected natural terrain and creek corridor geography

Wildebach represents a preserved 20-hectare stretch of valley habitat within the Siegerland region. This protected area offers a clear look at a natural stream course and damp meadows set against the backdrop of the Rothaargebirge foothills. Use this atlas resource to trace the park boundaries, stream morphology, and the microtopography that characterizes this segment of the Heller watershed.

Ith

Continuous limestone cliff formations in the Lower Saxony uplands

The Ith stands as a major geological landmark in Lower Saxony, featuring a 22 kilometer spine of Upper Jurassic limestone. This protected area preserves a unique collection of cliff crags, dense beech forests, and limestone-dependent plant communities that span the districts of Hameln-Pyrmont and Holzminden.

Königsberg

Examining the mountain ridges of the Nordpfälzer Bergland

Königsberg stands as a prominent mountain massif in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. This protected landscape is characterized by deep mixed beech-oak forests, significant geological scree formations, and an intricate history of mining. Its ridge-line terrain provides a critical study of upland geography, separating regional valleys while hosting a diverse array of protected natural habitats and medieval heritage sites.

Ulmener Maar

Volcanic maar, medieval ruins, and meromictic lake geography

Ulmener Maar provides a rare glimpse into the volcanic evolution of the Eifel region. This protected area centers on a deep, meromictic crater lake cradled by a forested tuff ring, connected via historical tunnels to the older Jungferweiher maar. It serves as a vital point for understanding the interplay between geological youth and centuries of human settlement in Germany.

Großer Kalmberg

Examining the asymmetric summit and calcareous habitats in central Thuringia.

Großer Kalmberg rises as a focal point of the Ilm-Saale-Platte, offering a clear view into the geological history of the region. This summit integrates pine-forested slopes with protected dry grasslands and rocky outcrops, creating a complex mosaic of terrain that characterizes this part of Thuringia.

Angelhofer Altrhein

Historic river oxbow, floodplain forests, and Natura 2000 habitats

Located in the heart of the Upper Rhine plain, the Angelhofer Altrhein constitutes an essential protected area known for its distinct floodplain meadow and forest ecosystems. This backwater environment, once a main channel of the Rhine, provides critical habitat for diverse species and serves as a natural contrast to the surrounding industrial and recreational landscapes of the region.

Wälder und Wiesen bei Burbach und Neunkirchen

High Westerwald upland forests and mountain meadow mosaic

Situated across the tri-border area of North Rhine-Westphalia, this protected zone sustains a rare habitat combination of beech-dominated slopes and extensive montane grasslands. The basalt-influenced terrain supports specialized bird breeding populations, making the area a distinctive feature within the broader context of the central German uplands.

Wälder der Ostenfelder Geest

A twelve-parcel woodland mosaic in the Schleswig-Holstein Geest.

Wälder der Ostenfelder Geest serves as a prime example of lowland conservation. This protected area connects diverse forest types across a glacial landscape, providing a stable habitat for beech and oak woodland communities while preserving the historic character of the Bredstedt-Husumer terrain.

Senne mit Teutoburger Wald

Heathland and forest ecosystems in North Rhine-Westphalia

This protected area presents a unique geographic profile, merging expansive lowland heath and dune systems with the wooded slopes of the Teutoburg Forest. Its distinct ecological gradient and significant size make it a critical site for habitat conservation, bird protection, and study of transition zones between sandy plains and mountain ridges.