Breathe in the fresh air here at Oberwaldsee. This small lake is nestled in Karlsruhe’s Oberwald forest. The Oberwald is the largest wooded area in Karlsruhe. It lies in the Rhine plain south of the city center. Today, let’s uncover the secrets of this green oasis.
Oberwaldsee sits within the Oberwald. The forest is bordered by the Südtangente, the A5 motorway, and the city districts of Dammerstock and Rüppurr. The Oberwald, like the neighboring Weiherwald, is in an old river depression. Remnants of the post-glacial river’s arms are still visible.
The Oberwaldsee wasn’t always here. It is one of two artificial lakes in the Oberwald. The other lake is the Erlachsee. Erlachsee was created during the construction of the motorway. It is fenced off and up to twelve meters deep.
The Oberwald is a protected landscape. Since 1977, 573.2 hectares have been designated as the Oberwald Landscape Protection Area. Within this area lies the Erlachsee Nature Reserve. It covers 16.4 hectares. Also, a part of the Oberwald is designated as a forest reserve.
Stroll through the Oberwald. Notice the dominant trees: pedunculate oaks and hornbeams. The forest floor is covered in wood anemones. Also see the lesser celandine, meadow foamwort, and red deadnettle. The Oberwald is rich in insects and butterflies. You might spot the blue oak butterfly.
Though swimming is prohibited in the Oberwaldsee, there is still a lot to do. Several grill spots are in the lake’s vicinity. The Oberwald offers marked jogging trails of 3, 5, 7, and 10 km.
The Oberwald also houses the Tierpark Oberwald. It is a freely accessible animal park. The animal park was created in 1965. This was when work for the Bundesgartenschau was carried out. Animals from the Karlsruhe Zoo were moved here. The enclosures are larger and more natural than those in the zoo. The Tierpark is home to Przewalski’s wild horses. Mesopotamian fallow deer, kiangs, and goiter gazelles also reside here.
The Oberwaldsee is easily accessible. You can reach it by car from the north. Take Ottostraße, Edgar-Heller-Straße, and then Holderweg. The Oberwaldsee provides a place to escape from everyday stress. This green space offers circular paths perfect for walking and hiking.
The Oberwald and Oberwaldsee have become integral to the city’s culture and recreation. The Oberwald invites you to discover its beauty. Whether jogging, cycling, or strolling, the Oberwald offers a refreshing escape. Take a moment to appreciate this natural treasure.