Grey Hairgrass and Heathland

The heather may not always be in bloom, but there is always lots to see on this hike. This circular tour through the Lower Lusatian Heath Nature Park starts to the north of the 800 years old potters’ village Hohenleipisch. You will walk across the “Prösa” nature reserve, a vast forest with open space areas. Walking along the old Dresden post route, you will soon reach open space areas characterised by sandy xeric grassland, calluna heather and grey hairgrass. The heather is usually in bloom in August and September. You walk past the branch leading to the sessile oak forest which is among the biggest connected woodlands of its kind. It is rich in berry bushes and home to wood grouses. You will then reach another large open space that is 400 hectares big and where you can admire a purple carpet of blossoms when the heather is in bloom.Tip: “Sheep Spotting” is a guided hike with an experienced ranger from the Lower Lusatian Heath Nature Park. The hike takes three two four hours and takes visitors through the blooming heath landscape. Along the way, you will meet the shepherd and his sheep. Listen to the calls of hoopoes, skylarks and nightjars and look out for the cheeky forest spirits that point the way.Length: 20 kilometres (5 to 6 hours)Start/finish: Hohenleipisch train stationLogo/route sign: not providedHow to get there:Public transport: Take the EC175 (Prague) from Berlin central station (Hauptbahnhof) to Elsterwerda. From here, take bus no. 581 (Schraden) to Hohenleipisch (about 2 hours).Car: From Berlin via the A13, B169 and L621 to Hohenleipisch (about 2 hours).Possible combinations: From Old Fruit Orchards to 1,000 Oak TreesTrail conditions/surface: The tour takes place on natural paths over even terrainMaps/Literature: Naturpark Niederlausitzer Heidelandschaft / Kurstadt Bad Liebenwerda - Mühlberg - Schradenland, SACHSEN KARTOGRAPHIE; Auflage: 3 (18. Juni 2014), ISBN 978-3-86843-063-9, Euro 5.90