Neuss Middle Terraces Landscape

On attractive paths through scenic areas in the western part of Neuss, you will find landscape and nature reserves as well as worthy biotopes.

A first stop is the former gravel pit "Jröne Meerke" in the northern part of Neuss. Newly created zones with reeds and bank vegetation serve as a refuge for waterfowl and at the same time as breeding habitat for populations of common toads. Information boards about goose populations provide explanations about the ecology of waterfowl.

Before the path leads to the Neuss ski hall, you will pass the city's traditional orchard meadow "Bauerbahn". Here, the city of Neuss has enhanced the area by replanting with old Rhineland fruit varieties. The complex of the ski hall with its climbing park is an example of a successful compensation concept. Since 2002, 18 hectares of forest have been planted as compensation for ecology and landscape aesthetics.

A symbiosis of nature and art has been created along the Erft river. During a visit to the Museum Insel Hombroich, art and nature become sensually perceptible on a landscape area of about 21 hectares. The daylight museum offers ten walkable sculptures, some of which are used as exhibition buildings, in a natural Erft floodplain.

A bit further stands the Motte Kyburg, a medieval fortification with tower ruins and partially silted water moat. This and the additionally created pond form an important breeding ground for frogs and common toads.

Selikumer Park features an empellement and Napoleon's weir. An empellement is a water diversion channel from the Napoleonic era for regulating the water volume of the upper Erft. Napoleon's weir, as a dam structure, serves to divert Erft water over the upper Erft to Neuss. Nearby is also the landscape educational trail in the arboretum. The tree garden with plants from all over the world was established in 1992.