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Regional mapping and spatial distribution of protected natural landscapes in Germany

Nearby Protected Areas and Geographic Context for Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal

Identify protected landscapes and natural reserves surrounding Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal. This regional overview highlights the geographic distribution of protected lands in North Rhine-Westphalia, enabling an improved understanding of the surrounding terrain and natural valley contexts that define this Sauerland headwater area.

Related tags

Sauerlandheadwater valleygrassland reservewet grasslandRuhr source

A small protected headwater valley of the Ruhr, preserving species-rich grassland and meandering brook habitats in the Hochsauerland.

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal is a compact nature reserve in the Hochsauerlandkreis of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, situated just north of the town of Winterberg. The protected area covers roughly 55 hectares along the uppermost stretch of the Ruhr river, beginning shortly after the river's source and ending just before the village of Niedersfeld. Its purpose is to conserve a species-rich valley landscape of meadows, wet grassland, and small meandering brooks that support rare and threatened plants and animals. The reserve consists of four separate parcels intersected by the B 480 federal road, blending fragments of montane grassland, marshy floodplain vegetation, and a few small spruce stands into a varied mosaic. Parts of the southern area also fall within the larger Natura 2000 network, linking the local conservation effort to a wider European framework. Beyond its ecological function, the reserve reflects the agricultural and cultural character of the Sauerland landscape, where traditional cattle grazing has shaped a mosaic of meadows that would otherwise be at risk of abandonment. The Nordrhein-Westfalen-Stiftung has been acquiring parcels here since the early 1990s, supporting long-term protection of this valley habitat.

Location
Germany
Park type
Nature reserve
Established
2008
Area
0.6 km²
Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal Protected Area
Regional park map

See the ranked park cluster in its geographic setting

Nearby parks around Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal

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

Geographic proximity signals and surrounding conservation landscapes for comparative atlas analysis.

Ranked Nearby Protected Areas and Regional Park Geography Around Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal

Examine a distance ranked selection of protected areas situated geographically near Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal to evaluate surrounding regional park geography. These comparative boundary metrics and environmental traits illustrate how nearby conservation sites relate across the wider upland terrain.
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft green landscape with rolling hills, a meandering stream, and light vegetation.
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 3.7 km away#1 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Schluchtwald Helle: Ravine Forest Geography and Protected Area Overview

Mapping the Sauerland upland streams and old-growth woodland habitat

This protected nature reserve spans roughly 58 hectares of steep, incised terrain near Winterberg, Germany. It safeguards the headwaters of the Helle stream, providing a stable, humid microclimate that fosters high biodiversity within a compact, moss-covered woodland setting that remains free from active human management.

Area
0.581 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 5.4 km away#2 closest

Northeast

Hoppecke-Quellbäche Nature Reserve: Protected Headwater Landscapes in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Highland spring and mountain brook habitats within the Rothaargebirge

Hoppecke-Quellbäche safeguards essential headwater habitats across the mid-slopes of the Clemensberg and the high ground leading to the Langenberg. This nature reserve, organized into three distinct parcels, maps the hydrological connections that feed the upper Hoppecke stream within the broader protected-area network of the northern Sauerland region.

Area
0.169 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 6.1 km away#3 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Dittelsbachtal - Klokenbruch: Regional Protected Area Map

Sauerland brook valley and meadow landscape

This nature reserve protects 14 hectares of the upper Dittelsbach stream and surrounding damp grasslands. The landscape is defined by its compact valley form, spring-fed mires, and traditional grazing patches, serving as an important link for bird protection in the Medebacher Bucht region of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Area
0.139 km²
Established
2003
Scope
Terrestrial
Water
Major water bodies
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 6.4 km away#4 closest

North

Naturschutzgebiet Olsberger Ruhrtal oberhalb Assinghausen: Protected River Corridor and Valley Geography

Nature reserve featuring floodplain habitats in the Sauerland region

This nature reserve protects the natural flow and riparian ecosystem of the upper Ruhr river. Comprising three distinct sections, it serves as an important ecological link within the Sauerland landscape, preserving floodplain meadows and the river channel corridor. The area represents a focused approach to river-centered conservation in North Rhine-Westphalia, providing a clear example of protected habitat integration within the German landscape.

Area
0.155 km²
Established
2004
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
A horizontal watercolor painting depicting a soft, pastel-colored landscape with rolling hills in the background, a line of trees in the midground, and a small winding stream or boggy area in the foreground.
Nature reserveHessen
About 6.6 km away#5 closest

Northeast

Naturschutzgebiet Alter Hagen bei Willingen: Protected Nature Reserve and Wetland Atlas

Landscape and geographic overview in the Hessen region

Naturschutzgebiet Alter Hagen bei Willingen covers a significant floodplain system in the Hessen uplands. This nature reserve serves as a critical habitat for diverse butterfly communities and relict woodland flora, centered on the headwaters of the River Itter. Its mix of swamps, bogs, and beech-dominated forest makes it a key site for understanding the geography of protected mire ecosystems in Central Germany.

Area
1.436 km²
Established
1989
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
Nature reserveWaldeck-Frankenberg
About 7 km away#6 closest

Northeast

Naturschutzgebiet Jägers Weinberg: Geographic Profile of a Protected Upland Wetland

A mapped nature reserve in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district of northern Hesse

Naturschutzgebiet Jägers Weinberg is a protected wetland landscape in northern Hesse, Germany. This area preserves a rare combination of raised bog and birch swamp forest, functioning as a vital botanical refuge in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district. Its mapped boundaries highlight a specialized ecological site that offers clear insights into the micro-topography and natural history of the local Upland terrain.

Area
0.254 km²
Established
1979
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
A watercolor illustration depicting a serene river valley landscape with soft rolling hills and clusters of trees in the distance.
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 7.3 km away#7 closest

Northwest

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Elpetal: Protected Stream Valley and Floodplain Geography

A representative Sauerland nature reserve in Nordrhein-Westfalen.

This nature reserve protects a vital section of the upper Elpe stream, characterized by intact meanders, small-scale fish ponds, and moisture-loving vegetation. The valley floor creates a sheltered micro-habitat of riparian strips and traditional grazing lands, essential for the regional integrity of upland stream systems in the Hochsauerland district.

Area
0.112 km²
Established
2004
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 7.6 km away#8 closest

Northeast

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
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 7.9 km away#9 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Odeborn-Talsystem: Protected Valley and Meadow Geography

Nature reserve terrain in the Rothaar Mountains of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Naturschutzgebiet Odeborn-Talsystem protects a vital valley system featuring traditionally managed mountain grasslands and the winding course of the Odeborn stream. This nature reserve provides essential habitat connectivity within the broader North Rhine-Westphalia region, representing a unique intersection of stream, forest, and open-field topography managed for conservation.

Area
0.575 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 8.7 km away#10 closest

Southwest

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Lennetal: Protected Stream Valley and Meadow Ecosystem Atlas

Geographic analysis of the Upper Lenne valley conservation area.

Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Lennetal serves as a cornerstone of habitat protection along the upper Lenne River in North Rhine-Westphalia. The reserve features a unique combination of near-natural stream channels and traditionally managed valley meadows. This atlas entry details the site's role in the regional network of protected lands, emphasizing its hydrological features and diverse mountain grassland character within the Sauerland.

Area
0.256 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 9.3 km away#11 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Almecke: Geographic Atlas and Protected Landscape Overview

A preserved hedgerow mosaic in the Hochsauerlandkreis region.

Naturschutzgebiet Almecke is a significant nature reserve characterized by its formal inclusion in the European bird protection area network. The site offers a concentrated look at traditional cultural landscapes, specifically the interaction between steep valley topography, contour-following hedgerows, and dry upland pastures. This protected area serves as an essential case study in localized conservation geography and habitat structure within the wider Sauerland region.

Area
0.058 km²
Established
2003
Relief
Upland
Scope
Terrestrial
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 9.4 km away#12 closest

South

Naturschutzgebiet Ahretalsystem: Mapped Protected Brook Valley and Low Mountain Landscape

Ecological terrain analysis of the Sauerland uplands

Naturschutzgebiet Ahretalsystem protects a refined valley system in the Rothaargebirge, showcasing the intricate interplay between near-natural stream courses and traditional mountain pastures. This reserve serves as a key site for montane brook conservation, hosting significant botanical populations within its mosaic of wet meadows and dry slope grasslands across the Winterberg landscape.

Area
0.358 km²
Established
2008
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Temperate
A soft watercolor painting depicting a landscape of rolling green hills, gentle slopes, and distant mountains against a plain background.
Nature reserveHessen
About 10 km away#13 closest

Northeast

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 horizontal watercolor illustration depicting a soft, impressionistic landscape with rolling hills, meadows, and trees in shades of green, pink, and light grey.
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 11 km away#14 closest

Northwest

Naturschutzgebiet Plästerlegge, Auf’m Kipp: Protected Nature Reserve and Gorge Geography

Mapped ravine forests and high moor terrain in Hochsauerlandkreis

This protected area centers on the Plästerlegge waterfall and its steep slate gorge within the Sauerland mountains. The reserve offers a rare look at humid microclimate flora, silverleaf ravine forests, and a high-elevation peatland basin. Explore the precise landscape boundaries and ecological terrain that define this protected forest mosaic in western Germany.

Area
0.285 km²
Established
1952
Relief
Upland
Climate
Temperate
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 11 km away#15 closest

West

Naturschutzgebiet Palmetal Protected Area Map and Sauerland Highland Landscape Context

Stream corridors and floodplain meadows in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Located in the foothills of the Rothaargebirge, Naturschutzgebiet Palmetal preserves a cohesive upland stream ecosystem. The reserve centers on the Palme and Brabecke brooks, protecting 11.7 hectares of wet meadow and gallery forest habitats. This site provides a representative look at the small-scale valley landscapes found within the Hochsauerlandkreis region, emphasizing the interplay between waterway, floodplain, and local terrain.

Area
0.117 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Relief
Upland
Nature reserveHesse
About 12 km away#16 closest

Northeast

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
Nature reserveNordrhein-Westfalen
About 12 km away#17 closest

West

Naturschutzgebiet Oegmannsholz: Protected Forest and Geological Landscapes in Nordrhein-Westfalen

A dense nature reserve featuring beech woodland, rock formations, and valley springs.

Naturschutzgebiet Oegmannsholz represents a concentrated protected area within the Sauerland region of Germany. This reserve safeguards diverse forest microhabitats, including mature beech stands and steep drainage lines known as Kerbtalsiepen. Its structural variety, from rocky outcrops to flowing springs, creates a distinct natural terrain within the broader North Rhine-Westphalia conservation network.

Area
0.113 km²
Established
2008
IUCN
IV
Nature reserveHochsauerlandkreis
About 12 km away#18 closest

East

Naturschutzgebiet Osterntal: Protected Valley Mosaic and Regional Geography

Explore nature reserve boundaries and ecological terrain in Hochsauerlandkreis.

Naturschutzgebiet Osterntal protects a distinct valley mosaic in the eastern Sauerland, featuring rare wet grasslands and nutrient-poor meadows. This nature reserve provides essential habitat connectivity within the broader European Bird Protection Area, showcasing the region's managed pastoral landscape and varied topography.

Area
0.064 km²
Established
2003
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 12 km away#19 closest

North

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
A watercolor painting showing a soft, green, rolling valley with a stream and yellow wildflowers in the foreground against a light, distant hilly horizon.
Nature reserveNorth Rhine-Westphalia
About 13 km away#20 closest

Southeast

Naturschutzgebiet Ölfetal: Mapped Boundaries and Grassland Ecosystems in the Sauerland

A regional protected nature reserve near Medebach

Naturschutzgebiet Ölfetal offers a detailed look into the meadow-and-stream ecology of the Sauerland uplands. Stretching along the Ölfe river, the reserve features a complex mosaic of wet and dry meadow habitats that support specific plant species and local grassland bird populations. Its protected status maintains a vital stream corridor that bridges agricultural zones and broader ecological networks within eastern North Rhine-Westphalia.

Area
0.124 km²
Established
2003
Relief
Lowland
Scope
Terrestrial
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

Continue Exploring the Naturschutzgebiet Oberes Ruhrtal Protected Landscape

Deepen your understanding of this significant Sauerland nature reserve by examining its unique valley geography and riverine features. MoriAtlas provides a structured look at the protected boundaries and environmental composition of the upper Ruhr river corridor in North Rhine-Westphalia.