Peeking above Muenster’s landscape, Vorbergshügel rises a modest 99.4 meters above sea level. It is the highest and most well-known hill of the Nienberger Höhen. These hills mark the southeastern end of the Altenberger Rücken. This ridge stretches about 4 kilometers.
Since 1994, Vorbergs Hügel and its surroundings became the Vorbergs Hügel nature reserve. This area mirrors the extent of the Nienberger Höhen.
The hill chain is divided into four parts. Mühlenberg is the northeastern part. It rises to 97.9 meters. Vorbergshügel is the second part. The Hägerfelder part reaches 95.2 meters. The Wilbrenniger part serves as a prelude to the hills.
Vorbergs Hügel stands as the most important forest in northern Muenster. Deciduous forests mainly cover this hill chain. The hilltops are densely wooded. Hedges and hedge-like vegetation stretch through the landscape. Fields occasionally break up Vorbergs Hügel. This makes it a typical part of the Münsterland park landscape.
Rare plants thrive here. Summer root and wild garlic find a home. Also bear’s breech, meadow parsley, and millet sedge grow here. Forty-seven plants on the red list of endangered species grow in this chain. This led to Vorbergs Hügel being declared a nature reserve in 1998.
Rare animals and insects inhabit Vorbergs Hügel. The small red damselfly and northern crested newt live in small bodies of water. According to NABU, 21 breeding bird species on the Red List live here. Also three dragonfly, two amphibian, and two grasshopper species are present.
In the 1990s, NABU advocated for the Vorbergs Hügel nature reserve. The condition of the hedges was often criticized. In 2004, measures improved the nature reserve’s quality. This also increased its importance for local recreation.
Vorbergs Hügel is popular for recreation. Cyclists and joggers frequently use it. Paths wind through the hills. A route from the Münsterland cycling region runs through the nature reserve. It connects Kinderhaus and Nienberge.