Heidelberg city forest
In figures
The defining feature of the landscape around Heidelberg is the densely-forested slopes along the Neckar and Rhine valleys. Some 40 percent of the district is forested, and around three-quarters of that forest is owned by the City of Heidelberg.
Facts and figures:
- Location:
The 3,329-hectare city forest is located on the south-western edge of the Odenwald mountain range, mainly on the slopes facing the river Neckar and the Upper Rhine Plain. - Natural features:
Height above sea level: 100-568 meters. The highest point in the forest is the Königstuhl hill (568 meters). - Climate:
Mild climate, conducive to winegrowing. The average annual temperatures are 10.2 degrees Celsius (Heidelberg city) and 7.3 degrees Celsius (Königstuhl). - Rainfall:
Plain: Approx. 670 millimeters; Königstuhl: Approx. 920 millimeters - Geology:
The local geology is characterized by middle bunter sandstone, meaning that sandy and sandy loam soils prevail. - Area:
The official total area of the city forest is 3,331 hectares, which can be divided into:
Wooded: 3,155.2 hectares
Non-wooded: 173.8 hectares
Distribution of tree species:
Most of the trees in the city forest are deciduous: 67 percent compared to 33 percent coniferous. The distribution of the individual tree species is as follows:
| Beech | 1. | 39 percent |
| Spruce | 2. | 14 percent |
| Douglas fir | 3. | 11 percent |
| Oak | 4. | 9 percent |
| Colored hardwood | 5. | 6 percent |
| Larch | 6. | 5 percent |
| Spanish chestnut | 7. | 5 percent |
| Northern red oak | 8. | 3 percent |
| Pine | 9. | 2 percent |
| Fir | 10. | 1 percent |
| Other deciduous | 11. | 5 percent |
Heidelberg city forest concept documents
‘Recreational forest’ concept document leading to achievement of PEFC certification (2015) #1 (1.135 MB)
Further information on the certification as 'recreational forest'