IllustrationCome for woodland discovery stations, lake walks and a close look at a former volcanic quarry.
Come for woodland discovery stations, lake walks and a close look at a former volcanic quarry. For a first family outing, the Waldau in Bonn brings a nature exhibition, playground and deer enclosures together; check the current path diversions before choosing your walk.
Naturpark Rheinland covers more than 1,000 km² around Cologne and Bonn. Its villages, fields, forests and visitor centres are spread across a working landscape, so pick one area for the day. The Waldau, the Ville lakes and the Dächelsberg are separate destinations.
In the Kottenforst, broad, straight avenues recall an aristocratic hunting forest. Old oaks, beeches and hornbeams make the woodland worth exploring slowly. Listen before looking: woodpeckers can be difficult to pick out among the trunks. The deer behind the Waldau fences are captive animals; birds moving freely through the woods are wild.
The Ville tells another story. Its roughly 40 lakes occupy former lignite workings, with woodland now growing around them. Farther south, the Dächelsberg exposes the rock left inside an old volcano. From the viewing tower, you can see how a quarry has become a protected habitat without entering it. Enhance your adventure: download the Snappit app to identify the local species you encounter.
The park began in 1959 as Naturpark Kottenforst. In 1967, the reclaimed Ville landscapes joined it, bringing former mining land into the same recreation and conservation area as the older forests. The decision to adopt the name Naturpark Rheinland followed in 2005.
At the Waldau, start by Haus der Natur, An der Waldau 48. The Weg der Artenvielfalt is normally a little over 2 km around the area, with listening and looking activities. Use the open sections and signed diversions; leave time for the playground or exhibition.
For a hillier walk, take the 7.3 km Dächelsberg-Runde from the information stele at the viewing tower. Follow the named circuit back to your start through the landscape around Oberbachem, with old workings, meadows and fruit trees along the way. Expect a mixture of gravel, natural paths and surfaced sections. The quarry interior is closed to visitors.
For experienced walkers, the complete Seenrunde is 17.55 km with 93 m of ascent. Start at Strandbad Liblarer See and return there, following the official circuit through woodland and past several lakes. It is a substantial day walk. For a shorter visit, follow a public path from that starting area and retrace your steps rather than attempting an improvised shortcut between lakes.
A Bonn notice dated 15 September 2026 announces partial closures on the Weg der Artenvielfalt for damaged-tree removal. Check the city’s latest information and follow diversions. The 5 km Erft.Forscher.Weg at Gymnicher Mühle is also closed for river-restoration works; do not plan it as an alternative. Avoid woodland in strong wind.
Waldau’s biodiversity trail is designed with level paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, benches and shelters. Ask Haus der Natur whether the current diversions suit your needs. Its upper exhibition has lift access, and an accessible toilet is downstairs. The Dächelsberg’s mixed paths and changes of level need more planning. Ask about access to its tower platform. For wheelchair use on the Seenrunde, get advice on a suitable short section before committing to the full circuit.
Listening and discovery stations around Bonn’s Waldau
Red and fallow deer in the Waldau enclosures
The view into the protected Dächelsberg basalt quarry
Woodland and former mining lakes along the Ville’s Seenrunde
A normally circular discovery walk of a little over 2 km. Try an available listening or viewing station, then continue around the Waldau on the public route.
Suitable paths for pushchairs and wheelchairs are described by the centre, but confirm the current diversion before relying on continuous access.
Follow the park’s named circuit around Oberbachem, with interpretation about volcanic stone and former workings. Keep the quarry view for the public tower.
Ask the park for a suitable alternative if you need smooth, step-free ground. Check access to the tower platform before making it the aim of your visit.
A full woodland circuit linking views of several former mining lakes. The distance covers the whole Seenrunde, not a loop around just Liblarer See.
For a short visit with wheels, ask locally about a suitable section and retrace it. Do not assume that advice for one lakeside stretch applies to the whole circuit.
Check the diversion signs first, choose the open discovery stations, and leave the rest of the visit for the playground and exhibition. Let the children choose which part deserves the most time.
Choose either the Dächelsberg circuit or the full Seenrunde. Pack a picnic, allow generous stops and finish at your original starting place before daylight runs short.
At an open Waldau listening station, take turns noticing the nearest and farthest sound. Afterwards, compare what each person heard.
Use the tower’s panorama panel to pick out rock, water and vegetation. Discuss why sunny open patches need occasional cutting to remain open.
From the public path, photograph both a wide view and one small detail. Compare reflections, wooded banks and signs of the landscape’s mining past.
The Großstadtwald exhibition explores the forest beside the city. Ordinary opening days are Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays, with seasonal closing times. Check before travelling, especially on Mondays and Tuesdays; dogs stay outside.
Pause on a quiet woodland path and watch the trunks. A distant call or brief flight may be all you get; never follow a bird to a nest hole.
Give older woodland a patient look through binoculars. Identify the bird from a clear view rather than assuming every small woodpecker is this species.
Photograph a whole tree and a leaf still attached within easy reach of the path. Comparing both is more useful than a bark close-up alone.
Look for differences between the beech canopy and nearby oaks. Include the trunk and leaves in your photo, without cutting or collecting anything.
Use the woodland’s tree interpretation to practise separating hornbeam from beech. Take leaf and trunk photographs for a closer comparison later.
Treat a visible beetle as a lucky encounter. Photograph it where it is; do not lift bark, move deadwood or handle it to improve the picture.
Watch from the public side of the enclosure and allow the animals to choose their distance. These are captive deer, including during the autumn rut.
Compare the animals you can see with those in the red-deer enclosure. Stay quiet if they withdraw; a hidden animal is not a reason to rattle a fence.
The Kottenforst combines mature broadleaved trees with small rain-fed pools that often dry in summer. View water from the path; a dry hollow can still be valuable wildlife habitat.
The Ville’s lakes and reclaimed woods sit close to busy recreation areas. Protected shores give wildlife space beside the places used for swimming and watersports.
Dächelsberg joins exposed rock and shallow water with woodland, hedges and old orchard landscapes. Enjoy the differences from the public route and tower, leaving the reserve interior undisturbed.
Kottenforst’s hunting avenues were raised above wet ground and flanked by drainage ditches. Their geometry is part of the forest’s human history.
Dächelsberg’s former working face now sits beside water and regenerating vegetation. The contrast between open rock and wooded slopes helps explain its varied habitats.
On hot days, carry extra water for the more open Dächelsberg landscape. After rain, allow more time on natural paths. In autumn and winter, work backwards from sunset when planning the full Seenrunde.
Haus der Natur has a downstairs accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities. A restaurant and playground are nearby; check the restaurant independently before relying on a meal.
Use bus 602 for Waldau, or plan a Ville trip around Erftstadt station and the Liblarer See stop. Dächelsberg’s route page lists Oberbachem Raiffeisenbank/Pastorat and Blankenheimer Weg. Check the last return and walking connection.
Ask Haus der Natur about the open route from your arrival point, including benches and the return. Disabled parking and a lift are available at the centre, but do not establish the accessibility of a temporary outdoor diversion.
Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.
Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.
Choose your starting place
Search for Waldau, Strandbad Liblarer See or Aussichtsturm Dächelsberg, rather than the nature park’s administrative office.
Save the official route
Download the park’s route information, and obey barriers even when a saved track continues beyond them.
Plan the return
These are circular walks; a shorter out-and-back still means walking your outward distance again.
Bring food and water
Restaurant and beach facilities have their own opening times. Carry supplies for the longer walks.
Give animals space
Watch quietly, leave enclosure retreats undisturbed and do not feed wildlife.
Keep dogs leashed
Follow local signs, and arrange your visit knowing dogs cannot enter Haus der Natur.
Protect the shores
Bathe only in designated areas. Stay on established paths, leave plants and wood in place, and take rubbish home.
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Maryland, US
You might spot White-Tailed Deer and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
View guide →
District of Columbia, US
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Duck, and House Sparrow.
View guide →
Illinois, US
You might spot American Robin, Canada Goose, and House Sparrow.
View guide →
Virginia, US
You might spot Spotted Lanternfly and Northern Cardinal.
View guide →
Take the discovery with you
Identify the wildlife you spot, learn as you go, and keep a collection of the adventure.
