Hermannsburg: Misselhorn Heath and Tiefental
The landscape is characterised by rolling hills with rambling expanses of heath interspersed time and again by juniper trees. Misselhorn Heath begins 1.5 km to the east of Hermannsburg and is a part of the "Heaths of the Central Luess Plateau”, a nature reserve in Suedheide Nature Park with an overall surface area of some 293 hectares. The nature reserve "Heaths of the Central Luess Plateau” that came into existence in 1995 also includes Schillohsberg Heath.
Landscape characteristics
The heath areas are old cultural landscapes created by the farming methods of past centuries. Today, the heaths are protected areas as they are home to some unique flora and fauna. The countryside is characterised by sandy, nutrient-poor topsoil on which birch and spruce forests thrive alongside the famous heather (Calluna vulgaris).
Some of Germany’s endangered plant species can be found in the protected area of Misselhorn Heath:
- Spoon-leaf sundew
- Common lousewort
- Marsh gentian
- Cotton grass
A range of in part elaborate maintenance measures are employed to maintain the
heath. A herd of moorland sheep and goats is at home on Misselhorn Heath to
help maintain it.
A very special tip:
During the summer months you can watch as the moorland sheep are driven home to
their pens every Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m. The sheep pen is only a short 200
metre walk from Misselhorn Heath car park. You can find further information about sheep-driving and guided tours of
Misselhorn Heath in the section "This may interest you" Other sheep-driving events and all
guided tours in Suedheide where it is
compiled as an overview.
Tiefental valley
Tiefental (which means deep valley) lies directly adjacent to Misselhorn Heath.
A deep dry valley with a particularly multi-faceted landscape was formed here
during the Ice Age.
Although Tiefental valley is just s few hundred metres wide, it boasts an
impressive panoramic view. Ludwig Harms, the well-known missionary
founder and pastor from Hermannsburg, held sermons against this unique backdrop
in Tiefental around the year 1860. An information board on the heath panorama
route provides numerous details about the pastor. Guided tours following in the
footsteps of Ludwig Harms are also available in Tiefental.
Hiking and biking routes
You can discover the local area and its beautiful heath valleys by foot or by
bicycle on well-signposted hiking and biking trails. An overview of the routes
through the area is available in the section "This may interest you".
The well-known Moorland
sheep route also passes through the area.
The quality long-distance hiking trail was voted Germany’s most beautiful route
in 2014.
How to find Misselhorn Heath and Tiefental:
There are two car parks that offer ideal starting points from which to discover
this beautiful countryside.
Redesigned in 2011, "Misselhorn Heath” car park lies directly
adjacent to the heath and has a weather hut and picnic benches and tables. The
car park is also suitable as a Park&Ride station for riders. Toilet
facilities are available during the summer months.
You can also hop on a covered wagon at the car park for a round trip on the
heath; tickets are available from the Tourist Information Office. You can also
enquire about the round trip timetable there. Group bookings are of course
possible.
Directions to "Misselhorn Heath” car park:
You can reach Misselhorn Heath car park via the K 17 from
Hermannsburg towards Unterluess. It is located approx. 1.5 km outside of
Hermannsburg on the right. The car park is signposted "Misselhorner
Heide".
Coordinates: N52.823210 E10.136225
"Eicksberg” car park is lies directly adjacent to beautiful
heath areas and also very close to Tiefental. Eicksberg car park also has a
pleasant, shaded rest area with a weather hut and picnic facilities with
magnificent views of the heath. The car park also has toilet facilities during
the summer.
Directions to “Eicksberg” car park:
You can reach the car park Parkplatz am Eicksberg (near
Tiefental) from Oldendorf on the L281 travelling towards Eschede. Take a left
turn after approximately 3 km (opposite the turn-off for Dehningshof and Hof
Severloh). Turn left after 200 metres and drive approximately 2 km up Eicksberg
hill to the car park. The car park is signposted "Heide am Eicksberg” on
the L 281.
Coordinates: N52.805569 E10.145545