Ever wondered where Düsseldorfers go to escape the city bustle?
Welcome to Forst Eller. This forest is a part of the Düsseldorfer Stadtwald. It lies between the districts of Eller, Unterbach, and Vennhausen.
Forst Eller is a local recreation area. It is especially loved by residents of Düsseldorf, Erkrath, and Hilden. Together with the adjacent Unterbacher See, it offers a green oasis.
The Eller Forst has a rich history. Parts of the forest were first protected in 1935. It was known as Vogelfreistätte Eller Forst. This initial protection highlighted the area’s ecological importance.
In 1954, a part of Forst Eller became a nature reserve. It is southeast of the Kikweg. This Naturschutzgebiet Eller Forst covers about 95 hectares. The northwestern areas of the forest are part of the Düsseldorfer Stadtgebiet landscape protection area.
Like many Düsseldorf nature reserves, Forst Eller evolved from an extensive swamp area. This was part of the Altrheine in southern Düsseldorf. The area was largely drained in earlier times. Water was concentrated in the Unterbacher See system.
In the 1980s, the forest’s protection was extended. Drainage ditches were filled in the protected area. The management of the forest was largely discontinued.
The protected part of Forst Eller features a system of wet meadows and forest pools. The outer areas have oak, ash, and hornbeam forests. These transition into alder swamp forests toward the center. Black alder is the only tree species that can thrive in this permanently flooded area.
Since the late 2000s, the flora and fauna of Forst Eller have been intensively monitored. Forty-one breeding bird species have been identified. These include gray herons, willow tits, wrens, hawks, and reed warblers. The red list of endangered species includes water violets and elm butterflies.
For tourists, the Sauerländische Gebirgsverein maintains two circular hiking trails in Forst Eller. These trails include the Siebenbrückenweg. There is also a monument commemorating Else Gores. She was a resistance fighter from Düsseldorf.
Forst Eller offers visitors many recreational opportunities. There are 60 kilometers of hiking trails. Also there are 20 kilometers of bridle paths. Visitors can rest on 200 forest benches. There are 14 shelters, 7 forest playgrounds, 2 forest classrooms and a forest trail.
The Naturschutzgebiet Forst Eller is the oldest nature reserve in Düsseldorf. In 1968, the city of Düsseldorf acquired the forest. Management shifted from intensive forestry to ecological management. The goal was to promote a natural deciduous forest.
Since 2000, the Düsseldorf city forest, including Forst Eller, has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. 77.2 hectares of Forst Eller are reference areas. No active management occurs here. This allows natural forest development.
Forst Eller is open year-round. There is no entrance fee. The Unterbacher See and Düsseldorf’s historic city center are nearby.
The Eller Forst landscape is a remnant of the Unterbacher Bruch wetland. Large-scale drainage began around 1820. This transformed the area into arable and forest land.
Today, Forst Eller features primeval forest-like landscapes. It provides insights into forest rejuvenation potential. The area supports threatened animal and plant species. These conservation efforts make Forst Eller a vital area for biodiversity. Trails like the Siebenbrückenweg offer access to various habitats. Visitors can observe species like the reed warbler and the elm hairstreak butterfly.
The Eller Forst stands as a testament to long-term conservation benefits. Its ongoing natural development highlights the importance of preserving natural landscapes.