Studies show that spending time in nature is good for your body and mind. For many people, forests in particular are valuable places for relaxation. One of the last, almost untouched and therefore particularly impressive forest areas is the Neuchâtel Primeval Forest, into which we would like to take you on today's hike.
What is the Neuchâtel Jungle?
The Neuenburg Primeval Forest is an impressive, almost untouched forest area in the Frisian Wehde and part of the 660 hectare “Neuenburger Holz” landscape protection area. It is home to numerous rare animal species and offers a unique environment for plants thanks to its old trees and dead wood.
Visitor information
| Art | Information |
|---|---|
| Address: | Urwaldstraße 55, 26340 Zetel-Neuenburg |
| Opening hours: | accessible all year round |
| Entrance fee: | free |
To protect the flora and fauna, please stay on the designated paths and keep your dog on a leash. Please note that some paths in this natural forest can only be accessed at your own risk.
Location
The nature reserve is located in the middle of the Frisian Wehde (=forest) and is bordered by the towns of Neuenburg, Zetel and Bockhorn. The Neuenburg jungle is the heart of the 660 hectare “Neuenburger Holz” landscape protection area.
Description
This largest historical forest area in Friesland is a so-called Hudewald, which once served as a forest pasture for cattle. It impresses with its very old tree population with dead wood, the rotting of which no one has interfered with for a long time.
This allowed intricate thickets and bizarre wood formations to develop. This natural forest therefore presents the visitor with a constantly changing image and at the same time represents a unique environment for plants and animals.
The dominant trees in this forest are:
- Pedunculate oak,
- Common beech,
- hornbeam,
- Holly.
Countless, some endangered animal species have found a protected habitat here. These include cave-nesting bird species, a wide variety of insects, amphibians and bats.
Discover the Neuchâtel jungle
The entire natural forest is crisscrossed by a dense network of paths. These are laid out in the form of a junction system, which allows you to plan your very own route on your first visit. Numerous panels provide valuable information about the history, fauna and flora of this unique forest area.
As you make your way through the natural forest, you will occasionally have to take evasive action as fallen trees block the path. In the Neuchâtel jungle, nature has priority and people have to subordinate themselves to it. You can rest not far from the entrance in the hunting lodge or in one of the small shelters.
Tip
Until 2014, there was an 850-year-old oak tree opposite the hunting lodge, which was considered the oldest tree in the forest. Since the giant tree has not been cleared away, you can now observe the decay, which can take up to 50 years.
