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Geographic map overview of conservation lands and karst terrain near the Sauerland

Regional Protected Areas and Surrounding Natural Landscapes Near Hollenloch Nature Reserve

Navigate the regional landscape surrounding Hollenloch to identify adjacent protected areas, limestone woodlands, and karst features. This map-based perspective clarifies the geographic distribution of conservation units throughout the Hochsauerland district and nearby North Rhine-Westphalia.

An illustration of a green meadow with yellow and pink wildflowers behind a wooden fence, with a cluster of trees and a distant waterfall under a cloudy sky.

A protected karst cave and limestone beech forest in the upper Sauerland of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Hollenloch

Hollenloch is a karst cave and surrounding nature reserve located west of Brilon-Rösenbeck in the Hochsauerland district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Formed in the Upper Devonian Brilon reef limestone, it ranks among the longest and deepest known caves of the Sauerland region, with a documented passage length exceeding 2,700 meters and a vertical extent of roughly 92 meters. The protected area preserves not only the cave itself but also an adjacent karst collapse feature known as the Schwalgloch and the surrounding species-rich limestone beech woodland on shallow, rocky soils. Together, these elements combine underground geology, surface karst morphology, and a rare forest habitat into a single compact natural heritage site. Beyond its geological character, Hollenloch is significant as an overwintering site for multiple bat species and as a former human shelter used since prehistoric times, with archaeological finds ranging from Paleolithic cave bear and cave hyena bones to Neolithic flint tools and Iron Age ornaments. Its dual designation as a nature reserve (Naturschutzgebiet) and an EU Habitats Directive (FFH) site underscores both its scientific and ecological value.

Location
Germany
Park type
Nature reserve
Established
2001
Area
0 km²
Highest point
496 m
Hollenloch Nature Reserve Atlas
Regional park map

See the ranked park cluster in its geographic setting

Nearby parks around Hollenloch

This regional map shows the same 20 nearby parks ranked below around Hollenloch. Select a ranked marker to highlight that park’s boundary where boundary data is available.
Reference park: HollenlochRanked nearby park20 nearby parks shown
20 nearby parks

Geographic proximity and regional environment comparisons across surrounding protected landscapes

Ranked Protected Areas and Parks Geographically Near Hollenloch

Geographic distance measurements rank surrounding protected areas and nature reserves outward from Hollenloch to establish structured spatial relationships. Comparing these neighboring locations provides a clearer picture of regional park geography and distinct ecological traits across the wider territory.
A watercolor painting showing a soft, peaceful landscape with a small body of water in the foreground, surrounded by grassy banks and low hills in the distance.
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 1.7 km away#1 closest

Southwest

Naturschutzgebiet Schwarzes Haupt: A Protected Limestone Landscape in Hochsauerlandkreis

Mapped calcareous grasslands and orchid-rich beech forests.

This nature reserve covers 9.8 hectares of the Schwarze Haupt hill, featuring a layered terrain of rocky outcrops, former quarry remnants, and rare grassland habitats. It serves as a critical site for regional biodiversity, linking calcareous ecosystems within the eastern Sauerland through its specialized beech forests and limestone cliff formations.

Area
0.098 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Upland
Scope
Terrestrial
A wide, pale watercolor illustration showing rolling green and yellow hills with scattered trees.
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 4.6 km away#2 closest

West

Naturschutzgebiet Scheffelberg / Kalberstert: Mapped Limestone Hill Landscape

Nature reserve located within the Hochsauerlandkreis regional geography

Analyze the topographic features of the Naturschutzgebiet Scheffelberg / Kalberstert, including its conical rock outcrops and expansive dry grasslands. This protected area offers a clear look at the limestone hill systems defining this part of Hochsauerlandkreis, highlighting the intersection of beech woodland and open rocky terrain through detailed geographic mapping.

Area
0.456 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
A soft watercolor painting of a serene natural landscape with rolling hills, a central body of water, and green trees against a pale, warm-toned sky.
Nature reserveWaldeck-Frankenberg
About 4.9 km away#3 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Diemelsee Nature Reserve: Geographic Atlas and Protected Landscape

Waldeck-Frankenberg Wetland and Reservoir Margin Analysis

Located in northern Hesse, Naturschutzgebiet Diemelsee serves as a crucial protected sanctuary where the Itter stream enters the reservoir. This reserve features a distinctive mosaic of mudflats, reed beds, and swamp-like woodland, shaped by annual water level changes that create a unique habitat for local birdlife and pioneer flora within the broader Sauerland foothills.

Area
0.187 km²
Established
1965
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
A soft watercolor illustration of a landscape featuring layered green hills, a distant forest silhouette, and pale sky, rendered in a light, minimalist style.
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 6.3 km away#4 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Diemeltal: Protected Floodplain and River Geography in Hochsauerlandkreis

Mapped riparian landscapes and riverine conservation corridors

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Diemeltal preserves an undeveloped section of the upper Diemel river valley. The landscape is defined by its branching river network, wet meadows, and rare floodplain vegetation, offering a clear window into the riverine geography of the eastern Sauerland region in Germany.

Area
1.87 km²
Established
2001
Scope
Terrestrial
Water
Major water bodies
A horizontal watercolor illustration of a soft, hazy valley with rolling green hills, distant treelines, and wildflowers in the foreground.
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 6.7 km away#5 closest

Northeast

Naturschutzgebiet Aabachtal Nature Reserve and Sauerland Protected Stream Valley Geography

A preserved fluvial landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia

Naturschutzgebiet Aabachtal is a protected nature reserve in the northern Sauerland of North Rhine-Westphalia. Centered on the Aabach stream, it protects a classic Mittelgebirge valley landscape defined by meandering watercourses, lush floodplain meadows, and deciduous forest slopes, serving as a critical habitat for specialized moisture-loving flora and diverse riparian fauna.

Area
0.716 km²
Established
2001
Relief
Upland
Scope
Terrestrial
A horizontal watercolor painting showing rolling, abstract hills with patches of green, yellow, and soft red, accented with stylized coniferous forest lines.
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 6.8 km away#6 closest

North

Leiberger Wald Nature Reserve: Protected Woodland and Stream Geography in Paderborn

A mapped forest complex within the Nordrhein-Westfalen landscape

Leiberger Wald encompasses an extensive series of beech forests and riparian habitats that form a key protected node in the Kreis Paderborn. As a significant nature reserve, the area supports a wide range of woodland and aquatic species, serving as a critical refuge within the broader ecological network of western Germany.

Area
17.86 km²
Established
1994
IUCN
IV
A watercolor landscape illustration showing soft, rolling green hills, coniferous trees, and a hazy background.
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 7.2 km away#7 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Padberg: A Protected Landscape in the Hochsauerlandkreis Region

Diabas geology and forest habitat mapping

Naturschutzgebiet Padberg protects a compact but ecologically rich landscape of beech forests and craggy rock cliffs. Its position above the Diemel valley highlights the relationship between volcanic Diabas topography and woodland development within the Hochsauerlandkreis district.

Area
0.467 km²
Established
2001
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 7.9 km away#8 closest

Southwest

Naturschutzgebiet Poppenberg: A Detailed Geographic Overview of this Nature Reserve

Exploring Limestone Cliff Habitats and Regional Forest Ecosystems

Naturschutzgebiet Poppenberg represents an essential ecological link within the Brilon limestone hill network. This nature reserve offers a concentrated study in geology and ecology, showcasing exposed rock formations, historical mining traces, and a diverse range of woodland habitats compressed into a compact, protected area within North Rhine-Westphalia.

Area
0.007 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
A watercolor landscape illustration showing gentle green hills, clusters of trees, and soft pink and yellow clouds in the background.
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 8.1 km away#9 closest

Northwest

Naturschutzgebiet Almetal: Landscape Geography and Protected Nature Reserve Mapping

A diverse river valley corridor in North Rhine-Westphalia

Naturschutzgebiet Almetal protects a narrow, structurally varied floodplain along the Alme river. The area is defined by its contrast between open wet meadows, alder woodland, and forested uplands, forming an essential ecological link within the Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Area
0.938 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
Nature reserveHessen
About 8.9 km away#10 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Am Mühlenberg bei Adorf: Protected Forest and Volcanic Terrain

Geographic overview of a key Hessen nature reserve

Spanning 33 hectares in northern Hessen, Naturschutzgebiet Am Mühlenberg bei Adorf is defined by its Devonian volcanic bedrock and varied microclimates. The reserve provides a detailed look at how aspect and slope create contrasting forest communities, from dry oak stands to cool-air ravine woodland, offering a concentrated study in protected-area botanical richness.

Area
0.335 km²
Established
1992
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
A horizontal watercolor painting showing a green valley with a winding river, rolling hills in the background, and grassy foreground.
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 9 km away#11 closest

Northwest

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Möhnetal: Protected Floodplain and River Corridor Geography

A restored riparian landscape in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Located in the Sauerland, Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Möhnetal preserves an 81-hectare floodplain characterized by its successful LIFE+ river restoration. The area features a complex transition from meandered stream channels to wet meadows and alluvial woodlands, illustrating process-based conservation within the regional Natura 2000 corridor.

Area
0.812 km²
Established
2008
A soft watercolor illustration showing a gentle, rolling landscape with green meadows, trees, and distant hills under a pale sky.
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 9 km away#12 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Östlicher Arnstein: Protected Nature Reserve and Geographic Map

Grassland mosaic and historic terrain in Hochsauerlandkreis

Naturschutzgebiet Östlicher Arnstein comprises 8.5 hectares of species-rich meadows and hedgerow complexes nestled in the Waldecker Gefilde. This reserve offers a significant look at regional grassland conservation, providing habitat diversity through its base-rich soils and disused quarry sites. It acts as a vital transition point between the forested Sauerland slopes and the surrounding open agricultural landscape.

Area
0.085 km²
Established
2001
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
A horizontal watercolor painting of a calm lake surrounded by a pine forest and rolling hills under a soft light.
Protected landscapeKreis Paderborn
About 10 km away#13 closest

Northeast

Landschaftsschutzgebiet FFH-Gebiet Fürstenberger Wald: Protected Area and Forest Geography

A woodland conservation landscape in the Kreis Paderborn foothills

This protected area features a cohesive block of old-growth beech forest, enriched by significant deadwood habitats and a dense internal network of brooks. Located within the Kreis Paderborn administrative district, the landscape serves as a key ecological connector in the eastern Sauerland, balancing moist valley meadows with upland forest ridges and ongoing deciduous forest restoration efforts.

Area
14.925 km²
Established
2007
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
A soft watercolor painting of a rolling rural landscape with distant hills, scattered trees, and pastoral fields in shades of green, yellow, and red.
Protected landscapeHochsauerlandkreis
About 10 km away#14 closest

West

Landschaftsschutzgebiet Briloner Kalkplateau und Randhöhen: Protected Area Geography

Limestone plateau and mining heritage in Hochsauerlandkreis

Discover the geographic character of Landschaftsschutzgebiet Briloner Kalkplateau und Randhöhen, a significant protected area covering upland forests and limestone terrain. Analyze its role as a buffer zone and the historical influence of regional mining on its mapped surface and natural landscape structure.

Area
16.578 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
A watercolor landscape illustration showing a winding river flowing through a green meadow with a line of trees in the background.
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 11 km away#15 closest

Southwest

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Hoppecketal: Geography and Protected Valley Landscapes

A vital river floodplain reserve in eastern Sauerland

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Hoppecketal protects 21.4 hectares of near-natural river channel and valley floor near Brilon. This reserve represents a crucial link in the regional mosaic of floodplain habitats, offering important data on aquatic connectivity and wet meadow ecosystems within the North Rhine-Westphalia conservation landscape.

Area
0.214 km²
Established
2001
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
Watercolor painting of a wide, soft-toned landscape showing gentle rolling hills, open fields, and a small meandering stream, executed in a minimalist, light-filled style.
Protected landscapeHochsauerlandkreis
About 11 km away#16 closest

East

Landschaftsschutzgebiet Freiflächen um Giershagen: Protected Landscape and Regional Map

Agricultural cultural heritage and biodiversity in Hochsauerlandkreis

This protected area in North Rhine-Westphalia preserves 785 hectares of traditional Sauerland countryside. It features extensively managed farmland, rare arable plant habitats, and historically significant landscape structures that support regional biodiversity and long-term ecological stewardship.

Area
7.849 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Upland
Scope
Terrestrial
Nature reserveHesse
About 13 km away#17 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Osterkopf bei Usseln: Protected Highland Heath and Upland Landscape

Hesse nature reserve with Atlantic-Boreal botanical features

Located in the Upland highlands of northern Hesse, this protected area features rare summit heath and species-rich mountain meadows. The reserve represents a functional link in the regional network of highland ecosystems, preserving specialized habitats characterized by mat-grass swards and an unusual northern vegetation profile.

Area
0.357 km²
Established
1982
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
A pale, minimalist watercolor painting showing rolling green hills, meadows, and sparse trees against a soft, light background.
Nature reserveWaldeck-Frankenberg
About 15 km away#18 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Grotenberg bei Welleringhausen: Mapped Nature Reserve in Waldeck-Frankenberg

A preserved dry grassland landscape in the eastern Sauerland mountains.

This protected area represents a crucial remnant of silicate dry grassland in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district. Known for its diabase-rich volcanic substrate and successful habitat restoration through traditional Heidschnucken sheep grazing, the reserve offers a compact window into the upland ecology of the eastern Sauerland mountain region.

Area
0.198 km²
Established
1992
IUCN
IV
A soft watercolor painting depicting a landscape of rolling green hills, gentle slopes, and distant mountains against a plain background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 16 km away#19 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Kahle Pön bei Usseln: Protected Highland Heath and Upland Landscapes

A rare botanical nature reserve within the Hessian Upland landscape

Naturschutzgebiet Kahle Pön bei Usseln protects an open heath plateau above the Usseln valley, providing essential habitat for heath-breeding birds and rare butterflies. This nature reserve serves as an vital component of the transboundary highland heath network, demonstrating unique conservation efforts through sheep grazing and sod removal on former beech woodland soils in Waldeck-Frankenberg.

Area
0.35 km²
Established
1987
IUCN
IV
A watercolor-style digital illustration of a gentle, rolling green landscape with a winding path and distant hills on a white background.
Nature reserveWaldeck-Frankenberg
About 16 km away#20 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Grebensteine bei Willingen: Protected Forest and Rock Outcrop Atlas

Ecological mapping of the Itter valley gorge forest in Waldeck-Frankenberg

This nature reserve protects a rare, near-primary gorge forest (Schluchtwald) in northern Hesse. Its steep slopes are characterized by isolated rock outcrops, boulder-rich substrates, and springs that foster high botanical diversity. The site serves as a critical example of upland forest conservation within the larger protected landscape of the Rothaargebirge foothills and the Diemelsee Nature Park.

Area
0.157 km²
Established
1985
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
Distance methodology

Geographic measurements, not driving distances

How nearby park distances are calculated

Distances use park boundaries whenever the available geometry allows it. When one or both boundaries are missing, the mapped park locations provide a clearly labelled estimate. Every value represents straight-line geographic separation and does not use roads or routing.

Boundary distance

Calculated between the nearest points of both park boundaries.

Location-to-boundary estimate

Estimated from one mapped park location to the nearest boundary of the other park.

Mapped-location estimate

Estimated between the mapped locations of both parks.

MoriAtlas Explorer

Explore the Karst Geography and Subterranean Terrain of Hollenloch

Deepen your understanding of Hollenloch through our structured geographic atlas. Trace the subterranean cave passages and surface limestone habitats that define this protected Sauerland landmark, providing insight into the unique geological and ecological character of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Global natural geography