Frauenschuhgebiet Martinau

"The shoe that comes from the blossom" - this shoe-shaped blossom gives the wonderful orchid its name.It is a sensitive species and loves semi-shady riparian forests. In Europe's largest contiguous lady's slipper area, the Lechauen near Martinau, it colonizes the water-permeable calcareous gravel soil of the pine dry riparian forest. Due to the rich populations of the lady's slipper, this area is one of the most valuable riparian forests in Central Europe.Stroll through the Lechauen near Martinau and be amazed. Spectacularly glowing lady's slipper plants line a 450-meter-long network of paths.Not only botanists rave about this beautiful sight!The lady's slipper is severely endangered due to looting and habitat destruction. Therefore, we ask all visitors for responsible and considerate behavior so that this population can be preserved and admired in the future. The orchid is strictly protected and guarded.The mountain rescue Elmen-Pfafflar and Vorderhornbach look after this treasure voluntarily during the flowering period (mid-May to mid-June).