Tour 5: On nature's trail

This tour takes you all around Alfsee. Find all kinds of different landscapes – some made by man and some mostly left untouched. On the road, there are numerous possibilities to observe nature.

The stops:

■ Nature reserve
This area is part of the Alfsee installation. The Alfsee was intended and built as a flood control reservoir more than 30 years ago. This part served as the back-up reservoir. But the development has run a different course by now. This part of the installation has become a valuable wetland biotope and nature reserve that serves as a retreat for many animals, especially waterfowls. There are many different and interesting breeding birds to observe. If you are lucky, you might even spot a rare kingfisher.

■ Biological station Haseniederung
If you want to learn more about Alfsee and the influence of humans on wildlife and landscape, we recommend a side-trip to the biological station Haseniederung. Environmental education for subjects with an immediate impact on this region is part of the program that is geared especially toward schools. Field trips and on site research are also part of the program. The heritage-protected building was renovated taking into consideration organic building aspects. The magnificent garden surrounding the courtyard is designed as a natural garden with vegetables, herbs and flowers, a hibernation wall for insects and an educational bee exhibition.

■ The Alfsee
For centuries, the river Hase regularly flooded the surrounding lowlands. Even low flood levels already threatened the region which was getting more and more populated. The Alfsee was designed as a flood control reservoir to protect the area. Nobody would have thought 30 years ago that it would one day become a popular leisure and recreation area. The Alfsee is also a resting place of international importance for waterfowls and a fishing destination. But the intake and outlet of Alfsee can still be used to regulate and prevent floods. 20.8 million cubic metres of usable space makes the Alfsee one of the largest installations of this kind in Lower Saxony.

■ Refuge hut
This might be the perfect place to stop and enjoy the view across the Alfsee.

Duration: . . . . . . . . . . . 2 hours
Distance: . . . . . . . . . . . 11 km
Start and finish: . . . . Alfsee Center