The Hobrechtswald

Hobrechtswald
Image: Forestry Department

Welcome to the Hobrechtswald forest, a changing recreational landscape of woods and water on the site of a former waste water works in the north-east of Berlin.

Link to: interactive map

Information

Link to: Information
Image: Forestry Department

Spring is blooming in the Hobrechtswald. The sun’s rays are growing stronger every day. Plants are sprouting and blooming everywhere and the breeding season has begun. Red-backed shrikes and cranes are laying their eggs and will keep them warm until their young hatch. More information

Recreational forest

Link to: Recreational forest
Image: Forestry Department

The Hobrechtswald is both the youngest and also probably the most unusual forest in Berlin. After about a century of use as waste water works it has now become a recreational area and a great place for nature observation for young and old alike. More information

Woodland pasture

Link to: Woodland pasture
Image: Forestry Department

The Hobrechtswald is the largest forest pasture project in Germany. Since 2011, tough breeds of cattle and horses have been allowed to graze on large, fenced-off areas that are still largely accessible to the public. The grazing animals play an important role in the care and preservation of the landscape. More information

The "Lietzengraben" drainage ditch

Link to: The "Lietzengraben" drainage ditch
Image: Forestry Department

The "Lietzengraben" is a drainage ditch that crosses the area. Large shallow ponds accumulate in low-lying areas around the ditch. During its usage as a run-off ditch for waste water, the "Lietzengraben" was straightened and deepened so that the water could drain away more quickly. Nowadays various hydraulic engineering measures keep the water in the landscape to prevent the drying out of the soil. More information

Waste water works history

Link to: Waste water works history
Image: Forestry Department

At the end of the 19th century the native sparse pine forest was cut down to make way for a waste water works complex to deal with Berlin’s increasing sanitation requirements. After the shutdown of the very intensively used waste water works a completely transformed landscape was left behind along with contaminated soil. More information