Weper

The Weper is a long ridge of hills reaching up to 379 metres in the Leine Uplands of South Lower Saxony. It lies between the Solling foothills to the west and the Leine valley to the east, running north–south west of Moringen. The ridge separates the Espolde valley on its western side from the Moore and Ummelbach streams on the east. North of the Weper is the Ahlsburg ridge and to the south the smaller Gladeberg ridge.

The Weper Nature Reserve covers 200 hectares of dry chalk grassland, one of the largest protected areas of its kind in Lower Saxony. Before the 19th century the whole ridge was open grassland, but much was later reforested. In the north a glider airfield sits south-east of the Tönniesberg, while the Sohnrey Hut on the Balos summit offers wide views across the countryside. Rare plants and animals thrive in the open grassland maintained on the western slopes.

Visitors walk through open grassland and woodland on the Weper ridge. The Sohnrey Hut provides a place to rest and take in the surrounding landscape. The Espolde, Moore and Ummelbach streams flow nearby, each adding to the varied scenery. The ridge’s open northern section contrasts with the wooded south, offering different experiences in a small area.