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Geographic distribution of nearby nature reserves and protected sites in Hessen

Protected Areas and Natural Landscapes Situated Near the Bessunger Kiesgrube Nature Reserve

Examine the regional geography of nature reserves and protected sites surrounding the Bessunger Kiesgrube in the German state of Hessen. Gain a clearer understanding of local landscape distribution through a mapped overview of nearby protected territories and their environmental contexts within the Odenwald foothills.

A stylized digital illustration of a quarry lake surrounded by steep rock cliffs, evergreen trees, and a waterfall, framed by dark tree branches in the foreground.

A former gravel pit lake wrapped in restored woodland at the edge of Darmstadt.

Bessunger Kiesgrube

The Bessunger Kiesgrube is a former gravel-extraction lake set at the northwestern foot of the Odenwald, just south of the Darmstadt district of Bessungen in the German state of Hesse. Once an active quarrying site that supplied sand and gravel for centuries, the pit has since filled with groundwater, becoming a small Baggersee, or excavation lake, fringed by steep and rocky banks. Surrounding the lake is a designated nature reserve, the Naturschutzgebiet Bessunger Kiesgrube, which protects roughly twelve hectares of recovering woodland and shoreline habitat. Over recent decades, dense, almost primeval-looking forest cover has developed on the former industrial ground, transforming the site into a quiet pocket of nature within the broader urban-adjacent landscape of Darmstadt and the northern Upper Rhine Plain. Although modest in scale, the area is a notable example of how disused extractive sites around German cities can develop into ecologically valuable habitats, especially as part of the broader Bergstraße natural region that links the Rhine lowlands with the wooded slopes of the Odenwald.

Location
Germany
Park type
Nature reserve
Established
1978
Area
0.1 km²
Bessunger Kiesgrube Nature Reserve
Regional park map

See the ranked park cluster in its geographic setting

Nearby parks around Bessunger Kiesgrube

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

Distance-ranked collection and regional park geography comparison

Parks and protected areas geographically near Bessunger Kiesgrube

Explore protected areas and natural reserves ranked by geographic proximity to Bessunger Kiesgrube using direct boundary measurements. Comparing surrounding regional park geography reveals diverse conservation landscapes across the surrounding terrain.
A soft watercolor painting of a flat, open landscape with scattered trees, rolling grasses, and muted green and pink tones.
Nature reserveHessen
About 3.6 km away#1 closest

South

Lerchenberg und Kernesbellen von Darmstadt-Eberstadt: Hessian Nature Reserve and Dune Atlas

Protected sand grassland and pine forest landscape mapping

Lerchenberg und Kernesbellen von Darmstadt-Eberstadt serves as a key inland dune reserve within the northern Upper Rhine Plain. This protected area features a unique, sun-warmed mosaic of sandy substrates, sparse calcareous forests, and historic orchard meadows. Analyze the site's ecological boundaries and its role as a critical habitat fragment within the broader network of regional protected landscapes.

Area
0.172 km²
Established
1995
IUCN
IV
A pale, soft-toned watercolor painting showing rolling green and golden dunes under a light, hazy sky.
Nature reserveHessen
About 3.9 km away#2 closest

South

Düne am Ulvenberg von Darmstadt-Eberstadt: Inland Sand Dune Protected Area Geography

A rare Pleistocene dune ecosystem in the Hessen region.

Düne am Ulvenberg von Darmstadt-Eberstadt represents a critical inland dune fragment within the Upper Rhine Graben. This nature reserve provides essential habitat for sand-dwelling flora in a setting defined by its open, dry sandy flats, pine woodland, and specialized steppe-like turf that persists as a unique geological legacy.

Area
0.089 km²
Established
1991
IUCN
IV
Watercolor painting of a rolling wetland landscape featuring green fields, soft hills in the background, and marshy foreground vegetation.
Nature reserveHessen
About 6.5 km away#3 closest

Northeast

Scheftheimer Wiesen Nature Reserve: Geographic Overview and Protected Landscape Mapping

Hessen wetland ecosystems and prehistoric heritage sites

Situated along the Ruthsenbach stream in Hessen, Scheftheimer Wiesen is a 166-hectare nature reserve known for its recovery of wet meadow habitats after decades of agricultural use. The area integrates natural terrain with cultural heritage, featuring reconstructed granite menhirs and historic burial mounds within a broader forest-framed environment near Darmstadt.

Area
1.661 km²
Established
1993
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
A horizontal watercolor painting showing a soft, impressionistic landscape with rolling hills, sparse trees, and pale green and pink tones on a white background.
Nature reserveHesse
About 7.3 km away#4 closest

South

Kalksandkiefernwald bei Bickenbach, Pfungstadt und Seeheim-Jugenheim Protected Area Atlas

A rare calcareous sand pine forest in the Hessian Rhine plain

Located in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district, this reserve protects an airy, light-filled woodland on calcareous sandy ground. The terrain is defined by its gentle undulations and historical woodland grazing traces, offering a unique look at forest management in the Rhine plain. Explore the distribution of its two distinct sections, including the specialized sand grass vegetation found along its managed utility corridors.

Area
0.874 km²
Established
1996
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
Soft watercolor illustration of a calm, marshy wetland scene with reeds, a lone bare tree on the left, and a soft forest line in the background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 7.6 km away#5 closest

Northwest

Löserbecken von Weiterstadt Nature Reserve in Hessen: A Detailed Geographic Overview

Protected landscape within the Upper Rhine Plain

Löserbecken von Weiterstadt protects a distinct basin landscape characterized by the interaction between former sand extraction slopes and naturally forming rainwater wetlands. This reserve showcases the transformation of post-industrial ground into a high-value habitat for crested newts and other species. Explore the boundaries and topographic features of this compact, protected Hessen nature area.

Area
0.08 km²
Established
1983
IUCN
IV
A pale, soft watercolor landscape painting of a quiet lake with shoreline reeds, trees in the background, and branches framing the scene on the sides.
Nature reserveHesse
About 8 km away#6 closest

North

Am Kleewoog von Gräfenhausen Nature Reserve: Geography and Protected Area Landscape Overview

A regional sanctuary of sand habitats and former gravel pits in Hesse

Examine the distinct ecological geography of Am Kleewoog von Gräfenhausen. This reserve showcases the transition between rugged, water-filled gravel excavations and stable pine-oak forest stands on acidic inland dunes. Gain insight into the regional importance of this protected mosaic as an amphibian refuge and a remnant of the unique geological substrate found across the Darmstadt sand sheet.

Area
0.209 km²
Established
1985
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
A horizontal watercolor illustration showing soft, muted green trees and shrubs against a light pink and pale yellow sky, representing a wetland landscape.
Nature reserveHessen
About 8.8 km away#7 closest

West

Griesheimer Bruch Nature Reserve: Geographic Overview and Mapped Protected Landscapes

Wetland ecosystems and regional geography in southern Hesse

Griesheimer Bruch is a 35-hectare nature reserve that protects a rare mosaic of lowland bog remnants, mat-grass swards, and black alder carr forest. This mapped site is central to the Hessian Upper Rhine Plain, serving as a critical wetland refuge within the broader Natura 2000 network. Gain detailed insight into the hydrological features, field geography, and ecological boundaries of this protected landscape in southern Germany.

Area
0.35 km²
Established
2000
IUCN
IV
A watercolor landscape illustration showing a winding stream, marsh grasses, and trees with soft rolling hills in the background, set against a pale background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 9.1 km away#8 closest

Southwest

Pfungstädter Moor Nature Reserve: Hessian Wetland and Ancient River Landscape

Protected wetland area in the Hessian Rhine plain

This nature reserve encompasses a rare silted-up segment of the ancient Neckar river, forming a complex of reed beds, alder carr, and peat bog habitats. Managed through creative restoration techniques that lift Rhine water into the moor, the landscape remains a vital ecological sanctuary in the heart of Hesse, standing in sharp contrast to the surrounding agricultural terrain.

Area
0.97 km²
Established
1955
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
A horizontal watercolor illustration of a soft, hazy landscape featuring light pink blooming trees in a green field, with rolling, misty purple and brown hills in the background.
Nature reserveHesse
About 11 km away#9 closest

South

Fuchswiese bei Stettbach: Mapped Nature Reserve and Protected Meadow Landscape in Hesse

Exploring the ecological boundaries of a specialized wet meadow reserve in southern Hesse

Fuchswiese bei Stettbach is a dedicated nature reserve serving as a critical habitat for threatened meadow butterfly species. Located in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district of Hesse, this protected area preserves wet meadow vegetation amidst the northern Odenwald fringe. The site offers a focused view into how small, carefully managed landscapes contribute to the broader ecological health and regional geography of central Germany.

Area
0.03 km²
Established
2010
A watercolor painting showing a soft, bright landscape with green rolling hills, distant trees, and scattered yellow wildflowers.
Nature reserveHessen
About 11 km away#10 closest

Northeast

Im Mörsbacher Grund von Darmstadt-Arheilgen: Geography and Protected Wetland Atlas

Nature reserve landscape mapping in Hessen, Germany

Explore the structured landscape of Im Mörsbacher Grund von Darmstadt-Arheilgen. This nature reserve provides essential habitat connectivity through its wet meadows, orchids, and alluvial woodlands along the Hahnwiesenbach stream, representing an important segment of the regional conservation network.

Area
0.681 km²
Established
1987
IUCN
IV
Scope
Terrestrial
Nature reserveHesse
About 11 km away#11 closest

North

Faulbruch bei Erzhausen: Protected Wetland Landscapes and Regional Nature Reserve Atlas

Mapping rare fen woodlands and wet meadow habitats in southern Hesse

This nature reserve protects an ecologically distinct combination of black alder fen, mat grass pastures, and calcareous meadows near Erzhausen. Situated on silty, peaty soils within the southern Hessian lowlands, the site serves as a vital refuge for specialized biodiversity, maintained by its unique groundwater hydrology and surrounding anthropogenic borders.

Area
0.658 km²
Established
2001
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
A watercolor painting showing a soft, stylized landscape of green meadows, sparse trees, and distant rolling hills against a white background.
Nature reserveHesse
About 12 km away#12 closest

South

Im Dulbaum bei Alsbach Nature Reserve: Mapped Inland Dunes and Grassland Geography

A vital protected sandy terrain in the Hessian Rhine Plain

Im Dulbaum bei Alsbach protects a remnant of the historic Rhine graben sand dune belt in southern Hesse. This nature reserve provides essential habitat connectivity for heat-loving species through its distinct calcareous sand grasslands and former quarry terrain, offering a look into the region's complex ecological history.

Area
0.092 km²
Established
1994
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
A soft, delicate watercolor painting depicting a meandering river flowing through a lush, grassy wetland landscape with rolling hills in the background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 12 km away#13 closest

Southwest

Altneckarlachen von Alsbach, Hähnlein und Bickenbach: Protected Wetland and River Geography

A rare mosaic of prehistoric river loops in the Hessian Rhine plain

Altneckarlachen von Alsbach, Hähnlein und Bickenbach protects a unique sequence of prehistoric Neckar meanders featuring shallow water zones, reed belts, and black-alder swamp forest. This nature reserve in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district remains a critical wetland sanctuary, preserving a vital ecological cross-section of the ancient Rhine-Neckar landscape and its associated peatland soils.

Area
0.892 km²
Established
1990
IUCN
IV
Relief
Lowland
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft, rolling meadow with patches of trees and distant hills.
Nature reserveHessen
About 12 km away#14 closest

Northwest

Bruchwiesen bei Büttelborn Nature Reserve: Hessen Protected Wetland and River Meander

Mapped terrain and protected fen ecology in the Rhine Main region

Bruchwiesen bei Büttelborn represents a major protected lowland fen situated along a former course of the Neckar River. The site provides a mosaic of reedbeds, moist grasslands, and deciduous woodlands, creating a crucial habitat within the agricultural landscape of Hessen. This data highlights the park boundaries and the complex hydrological features that define this ecologically significant wetland.

Area
0.88 km²
Established
1997
IUCN
IV
Nature reserveHessen
About 12 km away#15 closest

Northwest

Am Belzberg Nature Reserve: A Detailed Atlas of Protected Sand Grassland Landscapes

Protected natural areas and regional terrain in Hessen, Germany

Explore the specialized geography of Am Belzberg, a nature reserve nestled in the Untermainebene region of Hessen. This protected area represents an essential habitat for dry-substrate plant communities and local fauna, serving as a key example of small-scale conservation management in the lower Main river plain.

Area
0.053 km²
Established
1996
IUCN
IV
A soft watercolor painting of a winding river flowing through a lush green floodplain with distant hills under a pale sky.
Nature reserveHessen
About 12 km away#16 closest

West

Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue Nature Reserve: A Detailed Look at Hessian Rhine Floodplain Geography

Protected river island terrain, alluvial forests, and floodplain dynamics

Examine the geographic characteristics of Kühkopf-Knoblochsaue, the premier nature reserve in the Hessian Ried. This site provides an in-depth atlas perspective on the Rhine floodplain, featuring the iconic inland island structure, softwood and hardwood forest transitions, and the ongoing influence of the Stockstadt-Erfelder Altrhein on the local terrain.

Area
24.4 km²
Established
1952
Relief
Lowland
Climate
Temperate
Watercolor painting showing a stylized, panoramic landscape of rolling hills and forest, depicted in soft green and earth tones against a white background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 13 km away#17 closest

South

Felsberg bei Reichenbach Nature Reserve: Geography and Granite Boulder Field Analysis

Protected forest and geological monument in the Odenwald range

Felsberg bei Reichenbach protects 168 hectares of Odenwald mountain slope in Southern Hessen. The site is centered on the Felsenmeer, a dramatic sea of granite boulders created by frost weathering, framed by mixed deciduous woodland. This area functions as an important Natura 2000 habitat, preserving both specialized rock ecosystems and montane forest, providing a clear geographic link between the Lautertal valley and the high slopes of the Felsberg summit.

Area
1.677 km²
Established
1972
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
A soft watercolor painting of a rolling green hillside with trees, set against a pale, light-colored background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 14 km away#18 closest

South

Orbishöhe von Auerbach und Zwingenberg: Geography, Landscape, and Protected Area Mapping

An examination of Hessian quarry-based ecological conservation sites.

The Orbishöhe von Auerbach und Zwingenberg nature reserve serves as a prime example of localized conservation within the Odenwald hills. Its landscape is defined by former quarry faces and open slope terraces, which provide a critical habitat for rare and threatened plant species. This resource offers a clear look at the reserve's topography, physical boundaries, and its broader role within the Natura 2000 network of protected German lands.

Area
0.064 km²
Established
1988
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft-focus landscape with rolling green hills, a marshy foreground with grasses, and light purple mountains in the distance.
Nature reserveHesse
About 14 km away#19 closest

Northeast

Das große Hörmes bei Dieburg Nature Reserve: A Wetland Protected Area in Hesse

Mapped lowland wetland habitat in the Gersprenz district

This compact nature reserve in southern Hesse provides a essential sanctuary for wetland species, featuring a rare combination of reedbeds, sedge stands, and moist litter meadows. The area highlights the historical character of the Gersprenz lowlands through its protected hydrological network and open herbaceous habitat structure.

Area
0.136 km²
Established
1985
IUCN
IV
A wide watercolor painting showing a river flowing through a green meadow with trees and distant hills.
Protected areaHesse
About 14 km away#20 closest

East

Scheelhecke von Groß-Zimmern Protected Area, Hesse: A Wetland and Riverine Landscape Study

Key protected wetland features in the Reinheimer Hügelland

Scheelhecke von Groß-Zimmern protects an essential network of wet meadows and brook corridors in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district. Its geography encompasses a transition from open sedge-dominated floodplain to softwood forest, providing critical support for avian species and amphibians within the Natura 2000 Gersprenz network.

Area
0.046 km²
Established
1983
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
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 Geography and Protected Boundaries of Bessunger Kiesgrube

Deepen your understanding of Bessunger Kiesgrube by examining its transition from a gravel pit to a protected nature reserve. Use the MoriAtlas dataset to study its unique position in the Hessen landscape and the environmental evolution of this significant post-industrial habitat.

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