Nature awareness hike with Ute Schmidt | Participation: 15 euros | Meeting point: Naturschutzstation Gruel, 18320 Gruel, Mühlenstraße 9a

The Tribohmer Bachtal, which today appears very unspoilt and natural, was used quite intensively by people several centuries ago. The course of the stream, which is characterised by small meanders, still shows clear traces of the former cultivation by the Cistercian monks who lived here at the time. In the Middle Ages there were three water mills with large ponds between Tribohm and Gruel, but these are now completely silted up and overgrown. At present, the water of the Tribohm stream is once again able to shape the landscape here and the forest can develop largely uninfluenced. In addition, the beaver has now made itself at home in the area and dammed up an impressive pond with its dam.

In the nature conservation centre in Gruel, which opened in 2020, a permanent exhibition entitled "NaturRaum Recknitztal" provides information about the history of the cultural landscape in the Recknitz Valley and the animal and plant species that live here. A fruit meadow with old varieties was planted on the outdoor area in 2019 and from here you can hike into the Tribohmer Bachtal valley.

Biologist Ute Schmidt will guide visitors through the exhibition, briefly explaining the origins of the Recknitz Valley, discussing its post-glacial development and utilisation history and reporting on renaturation projects.

The subsequent hike through the Tribohmer Bachtal is aimed at people who enjoy being in nature, are interested in plants and want to deepen their perceptions in dialogue with others. The focus of the observations will be on the numerous spring bloomers found in the stream valley.