Gnarled oaks in the Siebengebirge

The "Siebengebirge" in the south of North Rhine-Westphalia is a small natural oasis. At 460m, the Mount "Oelberg" is the highest peak in this low mountain range. Compared to the other mountain ranges or even to the Alps, they are more like hills and not mountains. In the flat Rhineland, however, the elevations are visible from afar. Almost the entire Siebengebirge is under nature protection and a large part is even designated as a wilderness area. Even stricter rules apply here in terms of nature conservation and these forests are not managed. That's a good thing, because the preservation of near-natural forests is more important today than ever. Wilderness forests promote biodiversity and protected forests play a major role in climate protection. An important point is also the recreational factor that forests and nature offer to people.

I'm regularly on the road in the Siebengebirge and I regularly visit some places that have grown dear to me. So also this small summit on which gnarled old oaks are standing. Up to this day I had not taken any pictures at this point that I was satisfied with. This picture is the first that does some justice to this special place. But it will not be the last visit.