Nature Reserve Guide
Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle is a nature reserve defined by its dynamic floodplain landscape, formed by the confluence of the Saale, Luppe, Gerwische, and White Elster rivers. This unique environment features extensive wet meadows, flood channels, and riparian forests, creating diverse habitats. The area's natural features provide varied terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle offers more than 100 routes across several…
157
Routes
4.5
(3124)
Average rating
13011
People visited

4.7
(372)
1,225
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(65)
184
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(69)
220
hikers
13.6km
03:28
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(366)
1,193
hikers
12.5km
03:09
30m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.5
(86)
711
riders
55.8km
02:17
170m
170m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.6
(9)
144
riders
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.9
(7)
56
riders
48.7km
03:01
180m
180m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
30
riders
68.5km
02:45
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.7
(31)
170
riders
57.0km
03:02
90m
90m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
22
riders
35.5km
02:00
120m
120m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(8)
23
riders
16.2km
01:00
30m
30m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
18
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.6
(794)
3,007
riders
63.3km
03:46
120m
120m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(55)
236
riders
24.6km
01:32
90m
90m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(530)
2,297
riders
92.9km
05:42
410m
410m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(37)
162
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(3)
129
runners
8.99km
00:57
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.0
(1)
49
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
19
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
21
runners
17.2km
01:54
30m
30m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.5
(42)
157
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(11)
55
riders
72.8km
03:46
150m
150m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(8)
54
riders
40.9km
02:17
240m
240m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
21
riders
42.3km
02:27
100m
100m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
The Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle is a nature reserve characterized by its dynamic floodplain landscape. It is shaped by the confluence of the Saale, Luppe, Gerwische, and White Elster rivers. This area is part of the Natura 2000 network, highlighting its ecological significance as a protected habitat.
The nature reserve offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and gravel biking. Komoot lists more than 100 routes in the area, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 10,000 visitors. Information on specific activities can be found in guides like Hiking in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle and Cycling in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle.
Yes, the nature reserve features easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. An example is the 'Lake Wallendorf – View of Wallendorfer See loop from Burgliebenau,' which is approximately 4.1 miles (6.6 km) long. More options are available in the Easy hikes in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle guide.
Popular touring cycling routes include the 'Neue Luppe – Diana Temple at Dianateich loop from Halle-Ammendorf,' which is about 39.2 miles (63 km) long. For road cycling, the 'New Luppe – Path along the Neue Luppe loop from Halle-Ammendorf' covers approximately 34.7 miles (55.8 km). The Saale Cycle Route also passes through the broader region, offering scenic rides.
The reserve is known for its extensive wetlands, flood channels, and open water surfaces. It features softwood riparian forests with silver willows and black poplars, as well as remnants of hardwood riparian forests with elm, oak, and ash trees. These diverse habitats support a rich variety of flora and fauna.
The Saale-Elster-Aue is important for many threatened bird species, serving as a breeding ground for kingfishers and red and black kites. It is also a vital resting place for species like the black stork, gulls, ducks, and waders. Mammals such as harvest mice, European hares, and various bat species, along with amphibians like the great crested newt, inhabit the area.
Yes, komoot provides several guides for the region. These include Hiking in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle, Cycling in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle, Road Cycling Routes in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle, and MTB Trails in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle.
One of the longest touring cycling routes is the 'Saaleradweg Cycle Path – View of the Saale River loop from Schkopau,' which extends for approximately 58.3 miles (93.8 km). This route is rated as difficult and offers extensive views of the Saale River.
Yes, mountain biking trails are available. An example is the 'Palmengarten Weir – Elster Flood Channel loop from Lochau,' a moderate trail covering about 35.4 miles (57 km). Other options, including easy trails, are listed in the MTB Trails in Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle guide.
For general inquiries regarding nature conservation in the region, the Landesverwaltungsamt Sachsen-Anhalt (State Administration Office of Saxony-Anhalt) can be contacted. The NABU Regionalverband Halle/Saalkreis is also actively involved in the conservation of the area and may provide information.
The area's character is defined by its river confluence and floodplain landscape. Notable features include the extensive wet meadows, flood channels, and riparian forests. Specific routes may offer views of the Saale and White Elster rivers, as well as local lakes like Wallendorfer See and Raßnitzer Lake.
The Saale-Elster-Aue Bei Halle is designated as a nature reserve (NSG 0173) and is part of the Natura 2000 network. This protected status underscores its ecological importance, particularly for its diverse wetland habitats, varied forests, and as a haven for numerous endangered bird species. Its natural flood retention function is also highly valued.

