The Nature Park Hirschwald

The Nature Park Hirschwald, which covers an area of about 280 km² (108 sq. miles), owes its attractiveness to its variety of scenes. Smooth valleys or pastured plateaus, deep forests or open countryside, steep rock formations or gentle meadows- they are all part of the lasting impression that Hirschwald leaves on every visitor. Apart from that, they form a perfect wildlife habitat for many endangered species.

14 different bat species live in the area around Hohenburg, for example. One of these species is the Greater Horseshoe Bat, which is on the list of endangered bat species in Europe. These shady hunters roost in caves, forests or in the trusses of churches and other old buildings.

As the valley of the river Lauterach faces southwards, a nearly Mediterranean climate dominates the hillsides from Kastl to Schmidmühlen. Even the local vegetation is adapted to this climate and looks like in Tuscany. Wild orchids bloom colourfully between the spicy smell of juniper bushes standing like columns, and the yellow shining stonecrop clings to the bright white lime rock. Burnt orchid, Pulsatilla and Gentiniana flourish here, as well. But apart from all these flowers, other precious species live here, too. Just think of all the butterflies and Neuroptera. Brintesia circe, Owlfly and Antlion can be found more often in the Vils- and Lauterach vallies than anywhere else in Bavaria.

On the bottom of the valleys of Vils and Lauterach you can observe hunting Kingfishers and white-throated Dippers looking for caddisfly larvae under the water surface. In the clean, oxygen-rich water you also can find grand trouts in the gentle current and crawfish crawling under pebbles while dazzling dragonflies buzz from waterside to waterside.