- Naturpark Obere Donau
The Naturpark Obere Donau, founded in 1980, lies in the south of
Baden-Württemberg inGermany and encloses primarily the districts ofTuttlingen andSigmaringen . Its size encompasses 860 km². The headquarter of the Naturpark (= nature reserve) association is based atBeuron . The highest proportion of the Naturpark is taken up by the Heuberg, the south-western plateau of theSwabian Alb , and is punctuated by theDanube .Geography
Two small rivers, the
Brigach and theBreg at the eastern border of theBlack Forest unite atDonaueschingen to form theDanube .The Danube passes the Naturpark Obere Donau between
Immendingen andErtingen , its deep bed dug deep into the jurassic stone of theSwabian Alb . In this break-through valley of the still narrow river mighty rocks like chalk rocks ("Kalkfelsen") are exposed: One of it is the "Knopfmacherfelsen " atBeuron .Beuron with its Beuron Archabby lies in the middle of the attractive scenery of the nature reserve.This break-through valley in the area of the upper Danube is called Danube valley.
The upper part of the Danube passes through following cities:
Tuttlingen , Mühlheim, Fridingen,Sigmaringen ,Scheer andMengen .The Danube from its origin to UlmGeologically and touristically interesting are also the seepages of the Danube ("Donauversickerungen") in
Immendingen and to the south ofFridingen .Quite a number of forts and castles are sitting on top of numerous rocks on this stretch above the Danube. These are:
Schloss Bronnen ,Altwildenstein ,Unterwildenstein ,Wildensteiner Burg Hexenturm ,Wildensteiner Burg Hahnenkamm , Burg Wildenstein,Schloss Werenwag ,Schloss Gutenstein (Gutenstein),Ruine Dietfurt , Gebrochen Gutenstein, Hohenzollernschloss Sigmaringen,Schloss Bartelstein andSchloss Scheer .In parallel with the Danube runs the Danube cycle track which leads from Donaueschingen to
Vienna . The Danube valley railroad from Donaueschingen toUlm enables the visit of the nature reserve by train. Beside regular trains, the so-called nature reserve express train operates during summer months, especially for visitors of the nature reserve between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen.Tributaries to the Danube within the nature reserve are: from the south the Ablach and the Ostrach, and from the north the
Bära , theSchmeie (orSchmiecha ) and theLauchert .Literature
External links
* [http://www.naturpark-obere-donau.de Naturpark Obere Donau]
* [http://www.aachquelle.de Die Aachquelle und ihre Verbindungen zur Donau]
* [http://www.donauradweg.org/etap02/ordner02.htm Information über den Donauradweg - Etappe Naturpark Obere Donau]
* [http://www.donaubergland.de Donaubergland]
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