Discover the Wahrberg: your favorite place in the Northeim district!

Discover the Wahrberg: your favorite place in the Northeim district!

In the latest issue of the Northeimer Neuesten Nachrichten and the Sollinger Allgemeine there is something exciting for readers: you are invited to introduce your personal favorite place in the Northeim district. Article author Niko Mönkemeyer has already started and presents his personal retreat with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm: the Wahrberg in Hillerse. The Wahrberg proudly rises 251.6 meters above sea level and from its summit offers a breathtaking view over the entire Leine Valley, from Göttingen to Einbeck. For Mönkemeyer, this place is more than just a vantage point; It connects him with numerous memories from his childhood, which ensured the quality of life there in the middle of nature.

But the Wahrberg doesn't just have a lot to offer for Mönkemeyer. The amateur archaeologist Wilfried Steinhoff has put together some interesting historical details. The Wahrberg was originally called Wartberg and may have had a protective function in the early Middle Ages. The hilltop was bare until the 1950s, when reforestation began. Elements steeped in history can also be found here: in 1921, a monument to the people of Hillers who died in the First World War was erected on the summit, financed by the local singing club, warrior club and sports club.

Pure nature on the Wahrberg

But the area around the Wahrberg has not only developed culturally, but also ecologically. The “Wahrberg” nature reserve, with the identifier NSG BR 103, covers an area of ​​25 hectares and is located on the edge of the Leinetalgraben, southwest of Hillerse. The Wahrberg used to be the central location of a cattle drive system that connected adjacent pastures and villages such as Hillerse and Elvesse. Today, the dry grasslands created by previous grazing are a reminder of this tradition.

Today, the care of these valuable areas is taken over by herds of sheep and goats, which not only contribute to landscape conservation but also ensure that the biodiversity in the region is preserved. The northern slope, once covered by pine and spruce forests, was cut down after storm damage in 2006 and partially replanted with locally appropriate hardwoods.

Animal diversity in the nature reserve

The habitats in the nature reserve are characterized by species-rich semi-dry grasslands that are loosely shaded by pine trees. This extreme environment with its temperature fluctuations in particular favors the establishment of rare orchids as well as a variety of heat-dependent animals, insects and even reptiles. The nature reserve not only serves to preserve the landscape, but is also part of the FFH area 284 “Wahrberg”, which includes important animal and plant species.

Whether new readers who want to introduce their favorite place or nature enthusiasts, it is an invitation to everyone to explore the beauty and history of the Wahrberg. If you would like to share your personal experiences or your favorite place in the Northeim district with the editorial team, you can do so by sending an email to northeim@hna.de. A wonderful way to give space to nature and the memories that so many of us share.