Deeper Munich: Secret biotopes at Hüllgraben creek

Deeper Munich: Secret biotopes at Hüllgraben creek

There are well-known recreation areas such as the English Garden or the park of Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, the often called green city. For me, Munich´s  more unknown green oases like the Hüllgraben have a special appeal, because they promise peaceful moments and new discoveries.

Searching for the disappeared Hachinger Bach creek

The Hachinger Bach creek, which flows from Oberhaching to Munich-Perlach, is a quiet paradise for walkers. Unfortunately, it suddenly disappears underneath the Ostpark´s earth  (eastern park of Munich). I wanted to discover where it reappears and how it looks like at this unknown place. Hence, I planned a little exploration tour. I remembered that it should show up again a few kilometers further north. From there the artificial creek is called Hüllgraben. So I became curious and wanted to know: Where exactly is the Hüllgraben? My husband and me finally stepped outside  to explore the mysterious waters and its surroundings. Since we did not have too much time, we drove five times in total to the Hüllgraben on successive weekends and got to know it´s different sections. Each small half-hour trip was a treat. Sometimes we had to look for the Hüllgraben with a map, because our old Navi refused working as it was supposed to do. In the end this had its charms, because it really felt like a discovery tour. After all, I always want to find real “hidden traces”.

Route 1: Truderinger Hüllgraben – a picturesque stream next to an industrial area

After the Hachinger Bach stream disappears in the Ostpark, it runs underground for a while and reappears further north in the Munich neighbourhood Trudering, where it changes its name into “Truderinger Hüllgraben”. I was surprised that the creek returns to daylight next to a less attractive business park. Nevertheless, walks are pleasant here. Around the Hüllgraben there are allotment gardens. In front of the nearby highway you can also find a small  forest. Thus, the route can be a bit varied. The path in the Trudering section of Hüllgraben is well developed. Benches that invite for lingering can be found here and a small biotope has developed itself over time. People say that even a beaver has settled there.

Route 2: Daglfing South – The Hüllgraben enclosed by horses

Although I was born in Munich, I didn´t visit this pretty district before. It feels like beeing in the countryside there. Daglfing is famous for it´s horse racing tracks. So it is not surprising that I found lots of paddocks and horse stables there surrounding the Hüllgraben. In Daglfing, there seems to be a special handicraft branch, which is building Sulkys for horses. This fits to the traditional village feel of Daglfing.

I particularly liked this very green section of the creek. In addition to the Hüllgraben, I found a natural-looking side creek. As we strolled along the stream, trees were packed with beautiful birds, But they were so shy and fast that I could neither define their species nor photograph them. In the southern part of Daglfing the Hüllgraben runs partly through the terrain of a horse breeder club. Therefore, the creek is not accessible everywhere. I was surprised to find a small pasture with goats in the historical center of Daglfing. On the way back we even saw a bird of prey near the Hüllgraben. Incredible that this place is  part of the region´s biggest city.

Route 3: From Daglfing to Johanneskirchen

Next time we started a little further north in Daglfing. Fortunately, the weather was nice, so I managed to take good pictures. In this section we came across some picturesque stone bridges. Here, the Hüllgraben is surounded by corn fields, which look very interesting. I loved the large open spaces, which are typical for the outskirts of Munich. The free spaces ensure fresh air and therefore are important to the urban climate.

Dog at the Hüllgraben
Hüllgraben – also a dogs’ paradise

When you head north on the right side of the creek, you have to walk through high grass. This was worth it in our case, since the cornfields were interestingly harvested in autumn. They looked a bit like avenues. Together with the increasing dark rain clouds, this resulted in dramatic photos. I was not the only one who photographed here. We met more people equipped with good cameras, who also enjoyed the intact nature.

Route 4: From Johanneskirchen to the Auffanggraben creek

The further you want to explore the Hüllgraben northward bound, the harder it becomes to find it. Our route started at a former freight railway track with a beautiful view on the Hüllgraben. A biotope has also developed along the railway tracks. We followed the trail next to the Hüllgraben further nord. There we passed many stone bridges, which make picturesque photo scenes. Only few people live in this area, which is called “am Moosgrund” (meaning “on the bottom of the moor”). This is no coincidence as the Hüllgraben, which was built in the 19th century, is located in the area of ​​a former moor. It was built because of drainage measures. After a while we entered a nature reserve, where wild animals find a sleeping place. In this section I was particularly excited about the beautifully colored trees as we explored the Hüllgraben bit by bit in autumn.

Autumn at Hüllgraben Munich

Route 5: Biodiversity at the Abfanggraben creek

We started the last tour at the reservoir of the Abfanggraben, where the Hüllgraben flows into. The Abfanggraben creek is a cintinuation of the Hüllgraben. The reservoir at the beginning of the Abfanggraben looks like a low situated lake surrounded of lush nature. It’s a nature reserve with rich flora and fauna. This is also due to the fact that the Hüllgraben and its continuation are bird passage areas. Lapwings come here. A variety of water birds like ducks, geese, swans or coots can be found in the reservoir of the Abfanggraben. I liked reading the signs that pointed out rare animal and plant species. It was great to see that for example rare butterfly species or the strongly protected sand lizard live here. I was a bit worried to read that snakes live in this area, too. However, I did not meet any. My initial fear has finally given way to the joy that the nature is so intact that it can offer a retreat for rare species.

Natural beauty at Abfanggraben creek

I especially liked the small pond next to the Abfangfraben reservoir. Actually, this is a waste water basin. Nevertheless this place is beautiful. Not only beacause of the many water birds. The trees in the middle of the water reminded me of a national park I had seen in Sri Lanka.

I like the fact that I was born in Munich and still can discover hidden green spaces. The variety of green areas in and around Munich is stunning. If you want to explore the Hüllgraben on foot, good shoes are recommended. Gumboots or hiking boots are useful, when it rains. But this also makes a trip feel adventurous. I enjoyed the step by step exploration of the Hüllgraben very much. By doing so we saw many new aspects of Munich’s nature and got to know new corners of remote city districts.

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Nature paradise Hüllgraben Munich

8 thoughts on “Deeper Munich: Secret biotopes at Hüllgraben creek

  1. Sarah

    Looks beautiful and relaxing! Wish I had a car to explore when I visit in November!

    1. Ricarda Christina Hollweg

      I think it’s possible to reach it by local transport as well. Just take the airport line train (S-Bahn S8) until Daglfing and find it with a good city map. It’s funny you come to my home city in November as I seem to be where you live at the same time. 😉

  2. This looks so serene 🙂 I’ve not been to Munich yet (I live in Hamburg) but when I do, I’ll try and visit here.

    1. Ricarda Christina Hollweg

      The creek is very peaceful indeed :-). I think it’s a good place to relax after a visit to the city center.

  3. Wow! I’ve been to Munich multiple times (And loooove the city) but I had never heard of this. I’m returning in a few months I’ll definitely have to visit here. I love visiting city oasis-type places. Looks so beautiful and relaxing.

    1. Ricarda Christina Hollweg

      Happy to read you know and love my home city. Sure, you must love Munich if you have this thing with oasis-type places 😉

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