Heather landscape
Sistig-Krekel Heathland
Situated on the highlands between Krekel and Sistig, on the outskirts of the Sötenich Limestone Hollow conservation area is an important national grassland consisting of heathland, calcareous grassland and wet meadows.
Even though the area is unproductive from an agricultural point of view, the grasslands have a special biodiversity of rare plants. Large amounts of wild orchids with wide and speckled leaves, double leaves and green wood hyacinths also grow on the calcareous grasslands, which consist mainly of moorland and oat grass meadows.
Interesting facts about the Sistig-Krekel Heathland
Around 2500 Longbract Frog Orchids grow here, making up 80% of the total number of these inconspicuous types of orchids to be found in North Rhine Wesfalia. The conservation conscious cultivation of the area makes this possible as there is no artificial fertilising. Additional nutrients would decrease the variety of herbs and grasses. The meadows are mown in July when the seeds of the spring plants have fallen, and before late summer flowers start to bloom.
The unusual rich variety also stems from a tight mosaic network of small and very differing habitats. With this heather moorland there are the typical plants usually only found in the hilly meadows of the Hohe Venn such as bell flowers, wool grass, arnica and Gentiana Pneumonathe. For this reason the limestone Eifel region of the Sistig Heathland conservation area shows itself from a different light.
The Eifel Traces “Heather homeland” runs through the Sistig-Krekel Heathland and allows you to experience a very special botanical landscape.
Schaven Heathland
The Schaven Heathland between Schaven, Firmenich, Satzvey and Kommern- Süd is mainly a military training area. The main features of the wide heathland are oak and birch trees, with a mixed forest of various deciduous and pine trees.
You can enjoy the peaceful quiet atmosphere while hiking in this extensive diverse landscape on wide gravel, or narrow uncultivated paths. There is a 12 Kilometer circular trail around the Schaven heathland.
The area is sometimes used as a military training site. The trails through the Schaven Heathland are unfortunately not signposted because it is a military restricted area. During the week from 7.00-17.00 and sometimes on the weekend, hiking is not allowed. (Please look at the information boards situated at the main entrances.): You can phone for detailed information on:
02251 9532277.
If you would like to experience the Schaven Heathland close up, we recommend you to drive there via the Firmenich Panzerstrasse, (parking available) and walk through the Schaven Heathland on the gravel paths from there.