"unverDHÜNNt 2" (pre-dam circular route)

The circular hiking trail "unverDHÜNNt 2" runs along the narrow strip between the shore and the water protection forest, surrounded by the wooded, steep slopes of the old valley of the Große Dhünn, around the pre-dam Große Dhünn, which lies like a still mountain lake at the eastern end of the Große Dhünn reservoir.
Together with the surrounding cultural landscape, the reservoir forms a unique natural habitat. Before its major expansion in the mid-1980s, the three-kilometer-long body of water was the first reservoir in the Dhünn Valley and today serves as a tranquil refuge for many water birds.
Walking this trail requires special consideration for the local flora and fauna. Informative panels provide a diverse overview of history, nature, forestry, and water management.

The starting point for the circular hike is the Neumühle hiking car park on the L409. From here, you first walk to the Dhünn bridge on the L409 and follow the road for a short distance. The path then runs along the southern shore of the reservoir, keeping a short distance from it. 
After approximately 6 kilometers, the circular trail turns right and descends to the dam of the Große Dhünn reservoir, offering a magnificent view of the water in three directions. Rest areas invite you to linger. The path then leads you across the dam to the north shore, where you must first make a wide detour around a steep slope. The rock used to build the dam was quarried from this slope.
Back on the shore, you'll experience entirely new perspectives of the reservoir with a constant view of the water. The water level of the pre-dam is maintained at a constant level, creating the impression of a natural lake with dense shoreline vegetation. However, the protective forest planted during the dam's construction has thinned considerably, as strong storms have brought down many trees. A new, natural protective forest of native tree species is now developing in the open, sunlit areas. The path along the reservoir's shoreline continues along the water's edge. Beyond the last side valley, the lake narrows; the opposite southern shore slopes gently into a shallow area. During the construction of the Große Dhünn Dam, a biotope was created here, which today serves as a refuge for a diverse range of flora and fauna. With a bit of luck, you might even spot a kingfisher! A final right turn leads you back to the L409 road and the hiking parking lot after just a few meters.