Ever wondered where a river কার্ভস its own path defying the direct route? Welcome to the Halser Ilzschleifen. This nature reserve showcases the Ilz river’s unique journey.
The Halser Ilzschleifen is located near Passau. It is a testament to nature’s artistry. The Ilz, flowing from the Bavarian Forest, meets a gneiss outcrop. This forces it to meander through softer schist layers. These layers form the Aicha-Halsen secondary thrust. This creates the stunning loops that define the Halser Ilzschleifen.
In 1993, this area became a nature reserve. It spans about 91.5 hectares. The Halser Ilzschleifen includes the river. It also includes its floodplains and parts of the bordering slopes. The landscape features a narrow wooded valley. Sunny rock peaks emerge from it.
Imagine this: you are standing here in the Halser Ilzschleifen, in 1920. The Ilz was impounded at the Halsen reservoir. This supplied the Halsen hydropower plant.
The river landscape here is amazing. The steep slopes are densely wooded. The sunny rocks support unique plant life.
The Halser Ilzschleifen are home to diverse flora. The riverbanks are lush. They boast red beech, spruce, fir, and black alder. You can also find pedunculate oak, hornbeam, ash, sycamore, and linden trees.
The Zottige Wolfsmilch is the rarest plant here. It only grows in this part of Germany. Other special plants include soft lungwort and white germer. Look out for alpine currant and variegated aconite. You might spot mountain cornflower, Siberian iris, or plantain-leaved buttercup. Austrian leopard’s bane also thrives here.
The Halser Ilzschleifen also hosts diverse fauna. In 2002, a survey identified 133 moss species here. This included 25 liverworts and 108 mosses. The sulfur lichen clings to the rock faces. Beavers, otters, and black woodpeckers reside here. You might glimpse a water ouzel or a kingfisher.
The rock face has blackening milk vetch. It transitions to dry, hot rocky outcrops. These outcrops are home to mountain séseli and branched St. Bernard’s lily. The rocks near Hals Castle host elder iris and cymbalaria. Wall lizards and smooth snakes live in the crevices.
Efforts to build a northern bypass have stirred controversy. A bridge north of the Halser Ilzschleifen would cross the river. This led to the formation of a citizens’ initiative in 1991. They aimed to preserve the Ilz and Gaiß valley.
The Halser Ilzschleifen also have a historical aspect. Above Hals, a massive drift barrier was built. The drift water passed through a 115-meter-long tunnel. It was built from 1827 to 1831. This shortened the Ilz loop near Hals. It reduced the drifting time by about 45 minutes. This also prevented drift damage to the mills near Hals.
Today, you can explore the Lehrpfad Halser Ilzschleifen. It opened in 2014. The large loop is 6.5 kilometers. A smaller one is 3.5 kilometers. Eleven panels detail the river’s flora, fauna, and geology. They also cover the history of drifting and hydropower use.
As you stand here, consider the delicate balance. Nature and human intervention shape this area. The Halser Ilzschleifen remind us to cherish and protect our natural heritage.