Obstweg (Leverkusen)
The Leverkusener Obstweg is an approx. 9 km long circular hiking trail in Leverkusen that was opened in 2008. It leads past numerous orchards and aims to thematically emphasize the ecological importance of this cultural landscape.
intention
The Leverkusener Obstweg wants to contribute to the preservation of the orchards. The term orchard meadow probably comes from the fact that on the one hand fruit was harvested on these meadows, on the other hand the mowing material was used as litter for animal husbandry. Orchard cultivation was widespread in Germany until the 1950s and in its heyday it was practiced on an area of around 1.5 million hectares. Since then it has decreased by almost three quarters and is now a part of the landscape that is worth protecting. It is estimated that around 3000–5000 animal species live on a meadow with orchards. In Leverkusen it is the only biotope in which the little owl can still be found.
history
The Leverkusen fruit path was designed by the biologist Claudia Heitmann from the Rhein-Berg nature conservation station and her colleague Frank Gerber, a graduate engineer for landscape conservation, financed with over 30,000 euros by the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR) and opened in October 2008.
course
The circular hiking trail begins and ends at NaturGut Ophoven in Leverkusen- Opladen . It first follows the Wiembach , then climbs up to the Claashäuschen near Biesenbach . From here it leads through fields in a northeastern direction past Schöne Aussicht and Burscheid -Großhamberg. On a clear day you can see Cologne Cathedral and the Siebengebirge to the south . After a swivel to the north you descend through Atzlenbach into the Ölbachtal valley to Grund . From here it goes to the southwest through the Ölbachtal past the Grunder Mühle (grain distillery) and Flabbenhäuschen back to the starting point. The total length is about 9.5 km, but can be shortened to about 5 km by shortening the Claashäuschen and Flabbenhäuschen. Since 2009 there has been a connection path to the newly created fruit path (Leichlingen) , which is also approx. 9 km long.
Web links
swell
- Leaflet "Obstweg Leverkusen" from the NABU nature conservation station Rhein-Berg, 2008.