Sudewiesen Trail

Through the land of the storks and the aurochs cattle

The Sudewiesen in the municipality of Amt Neuhaus are of great importance for the protection of species. The meadows are a habitat for many endangered animals such as the stork, the crane and the snipe.

The recommended tour entry is the Storkenkate in Preten.

The conservation of natural habitats ensures the sustainable future of storks. In Preten, “The Stork Foundation” purchased around 600 hectares of arable land on the Sude. Today, aurochs and Konik horses lead a free and wild life there. Besides, this natural landscape offers the best living conditions for the stork. You will find a lot of interesting information in the stork center “Storkenkate”.

The Krainke is a 35 km long tributary of the Sude. In 1990 it was declared as a nature reserve, throughout its entire course, including its approximately 50-metre-wide riparian strip.

On the way you will reach the viewing platform Heinz-Sielmann-Kiekut, not far from the start of the tour. It allows a wide view of the Krainkewiesen, where heck cattle keep the meadows short, so that the stork finds food. At this transition from the forest to the open land area, the grazing animals can be observed wonderfully.

Along the lowlands of the Sude you can discover the main actors: Heck cattle and Konik horses spend the whole year on the meadows. The herds of cattle and horses are important for a diverse flora and fauna – provided that only a few animals are kept on the land. Such extensive grazing and use of the wetlands creates a mosaic of habitats.

Further on at the Sückauer Kiekut you enjoy a great view of the Rögnitz. Those who come at the right time and remain completely quiet, and have a lot of luck, may observe a beaver or even an otter on the Rögnitz.