The nature trail in the West Water Protection Area between Alterlangen and Möhrendorf comprises 23 stations, some of them interactive, with modern information panels, and offers a great diversity of natural landscapes within a short distance. The walking tour connects the moist Regnitz valley meadows with the higher, dry river terrace. Light sand pine forests, fields, and grasslands contrast sharply with wet meadows, alluvial forests, and hedgerows.
The “Long John” Alterlangens in the back and arrived in the landscape conservation area, the Start board into the nature trail. The first view extends over the wide floodplain to the castle hill. Along the fence of the water protection core area, the hiking trail reaches the "Franconian Desert", where only specialists like the silver grass survive. Here, it is worth taking a look at the sparsely vegetated sandy soil, but also the pine tree crowns studded with mistletoe. In the middle of the sandy fields, a wooden structure with tree trunk swings rises - a panel here explains the nature of bees, wasps and beewolves, which excel as predators and sand tamers. One station further on, there is a description of the surrounding flowering Wild field herbs to read. Through the “Steckeleswald"A narrow forest path winds its way from panel to panel amidst reddish-brown mirror bark, and you learn more about the local cultural and historical developments. In the area of station 5, it is possible to halve the route and take a Abkürzung Only there will you find panel 15 with information about the exciting hunting behavior of antlions. If you keep your eyes open, you can spot their funnels in the sand. Lizards, purple moths, and the master of camouflage, the blue-winged grasshopper, also live here in the sand. Through red oak thickets, the path reaches an animal long-jumping pit and a seating circle made of tree trunks, which invites you to linger and reflects on the important topic deadwood for animals. Finally, the view opens up to a large clearing, a habitat for rabbits and ants, which act here as gardeners and burrow builders. Not far from the Main-Danube Canal and a well, one reaches extensive sandy grassland with species specially adapted to these sandy, nutrient-poor, and dry soils, and later, vibrant fields of poppies. Those lucky enough might even spot the red-lined breeding tubes of poppy bees in the sand. Gnarled pines and woodpecker holes line the path, which leads to the second starting point of the tour at the entrance to Mohrendorf Here, too, a start sign with a flyer box sits next to one of the numerous insect hotels along the route. Those who fancy an ice cream will find a small roadside kiosk nearby, between the small sports and hiking car parks. The car-free road divides sown wild bee pastures and other sandy grasslands, where you can hear the chirping of field crickets in their burrows or hear the sound of crops can read. On an interactive board, inhabitants of the habitat are hiding reedbefore the tour descends into the Regnitzaue. At the crossroads with a bench and wildflower meadow, various options are available: If you want to enjoy a delicious meal, choose the (unmarked) path north to Weiler Oberndorf with a former manor (manor house from 1796) at the Oberndorfer Weiher; it is also worth a detour to station 11 – the historic Farmer's wheel, which was traditionally used to irrigate the meadows. The route continues straight through the wide fields along hedge structures. You learn about the flooded Water meadows and the Ice Age-shaped and human-influenced Regnitz Valley, while in the distance you can see a modern, electric irrigation pump house on the river near the Erlangen sewage treatment plant. In the middle of rolling fields stands panel 14 with explanations of the Agriculture of the floodplainAnother small detour is worthwhile – it takes you through a unique, enchanted hedge landscape Forest of the future and to Schwarzbauerngrube, an old river (former river loop) of the Regnitz with numerous traces of the beaver, huge gnarled oaks and poplars and interesting facts about Hardwood and softwood floodplains. On meadow paths we return to the Erlegraben The last stations tell about the geological formation of the valley and the importance of water; in keeping with this, you can also visit a Pump well with test stations Try it out. Fragrant black locust trees bring you back to the alder swamp with its reed beds, which indicate high groundwater levels in the loamy, moist floodplain and contribute to water purification. The view of Erlangen's city churches clearly demonstrates how close to the city center this natural paradise is.
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