Top 20 Natural Monuments around Steinau

The Balksee lake is located in the heart of the "Balksee und Randmoore/Basmoor und Nordahner Holz" nature reserve, a virtually untouched moorland and geestrand lake area. Especially from the top, the tower offers unobstructed views over the lake, ideal for birdwatching. With a bit of luck, you might even spot sea eagles and numerous other water birds. The tower is only about 150 meters from the parking lot and is easily accessible by bike or on foot. Inside, you'll find a hut with tables and benches, perfect for a short break and picnic in the great outdoors.

There are several benches on the boardwalk that provide relaxation options. They are simply visually and functionally appealing.

Moor adventure trail Moor adventure trail in Ahlenmoor If you want to walk through the moor with dry feet, you can only do so on wooden plank paths. Even people from the Stone Age knew this, and they used this method to make their way through dangerous moorland. The moor adventure trail in Ahlenmoor is based on this millennia-old tradition. The circular trail leads around two kilometers through a varied natural landscape on wooden plank paths and paths made of wood chips. The starting point is a large information board opposite the Flögeln campsite. You walk through various landscapes between birch trees, moor grass, blueberries and cotton grass. At 14 stations you will receive information about the flora and fauna of the moor. Fold-down boards and pictures to look at give an impression of the special nature of the natural area and why it is so endangered. Drainage, peat extraction, agriculture and settlement have led to a sharp decline in raised bogs. The remaining remnants - which also include the Ahlenmoor - are now heavily protected. Experience how powerful the moor is - and how little peat moss grows in a year. Discover rare animal and plant species. The moor adventure trail is a destination for the whole family. The hiking trail is freely accessible all year round. (Source: https://www.ahlenmoor.de/erlebniswege/moorerlebnispfad)

Moor adventure trail, always beautiful. 👌

Lots of explanations on the boards along the way.

The 17 km long "Rund üm dat Ahlenmoor" leads around the two connected lakes Halemer and Dahlemer See and is extremely varied. Along the way, two lookout towers and a birdwatching hide offer direct lake access and sweeping views across the water. In addition, the path leads through the diverse moor landscape, from the near-natural high moor, past rewetted peat extraction areas full of life, downy birch forests and through moor meadows used for agriculture. You also touch the Geestrand, where an abandoned sandpit is recovering from use and offers a habitat for many amphibians and insects again.

. Enormous effort is required to be able to work on the wet and soft moor soil. The steel plates secure the moor surface for the necessary construction vehicles, the vegetation underneath should be damaged as little as possible. The substructure of the bridges is no longer made of wood but of metal to ensure longer durability. In addition to the moor adventure trail, there are small, shallow bodies of water for dragonflies and other moor dwellers.

If you want to hike through the moor without getting your feet wet, you can only do so on wooden plank paths. The people of the Stone Age, who used this method to pave the first paths through dangerous moorland, already knew this. The moor adventure trail in the Ahlenmoor ties in with this millennia-old tradition. On wooden plank paths and paths made of wood chips, the circular route leads around two kilometers through a varied natural landscape. The starting point is a large information board opposite the Flögelner campsite. Between birches, moor grass, blueberries and cotton grass you hike through different landscapes. At 14 stations you will receive information about the flora and fauna of the moor.