NSG Ehemalige Ahrtalbahntrasse bei Blankenheim

Summary

The former railway line near Blankenheim is a nature reserve: A mosaic of calcareous grasslands, hedges, and forests. It's a retreat for rare birds, insects, bats, and features unique geology and historic railway structures.

Description

The former Ahr Valley railway line near Blankenheim is a structurally rich biotope complex, created from the abandoned railway route. It features a mosaic of warm-loving hedges, bush formations, deciduous and mixed forests, calcareous grasslands, moist meadows, and sparse gravel areas. This diversity provides a vital habitat, retreat, and network for numerous, often endangered, animal and plant species. Notably, it supports various bird and insect species, bats, amphibians, reptiles, and specialized lichen communities. The former line also connects the Urft and Ahr river systems. Historic bridge and tunnel structures, alongside geological embankment outcrops revealing transitions from Lower to Middle Devonian rock layers, lend the area significant scenic and geohistorical importance.