Puhlbruch State Forest

The Puhlbruch nature reserve covers 340 hectares, making it the largest of its kind in the Oberbergischer Kreis district. A deep deciduous forest, babbling brooks, and a natural wading pool offer refreshment on hot days. Since 1896, the majority of the reserve has been owned by the state-run forestry and timber company. Thanks to near-natural management practices, the forest here reveals its authentic character. Slope bogs, juniper heaths, springs and still waters, deadwood, and the natural forest core area form the most important core zones of the forest. Rare birds, such as the black stork and the kingfisher, as well as amphibians, insects, bats, and even heather, arnica, cotton grass, and orchids find a habitat here.
 
Access points for a trip to the Puhlbruch State Forest nature reserve are available at Wickenbach hiking parking lot (Reichshofstraße, 51580 Reichshof-Eckenhagen) or on Windfus hiking parking lot (Hochwaldstraße, 51580 Reichshof-Windfus). 
 
Shorter circular hiking trails start from both parking areas, leading through the Puhlbruch fen and up towards the Blockhaus cabin. The Bergische Panoramasteig trail also runs through the nature reserve, and a visit to the natural wading pool offers refreshment after the hike and rounds off a visit to the state forest.
The nature reserve also offers a variety of activities for younger visitors. The 4,5 km long forest nature trail is home to endangered plant and animal species, a wildlife enclosure, a charcoal kiln, a forest playground with a barbecue hut, and much more to discover and experience. The adjacent forest activity trail, with its interactive stations, aims to broaden children's environmental awareness. It takes them into the world of native forest birds and their habitats, focusing particularly on the nuthatch, tawny owl, black stork, red kite, and black woodpecker.