Perfeist bei Wasserliesch

The nature reserve is characterised by favourable soil conditions, especially calcareous grassland, and optimal climatic conditions, which allow for a diverse and rare flora and fauna. Particularly noteworthy are numerous protected orchid species and other rare plants such as cowslip, cornelian cherry and yellow gentian.

In 1986, the district government of Trier declared the area a nature reserve, as a habitat with unique flora and fauna had developed there. In addition to favourable climatic conditions, the calcareous rough pastures in particular offered ideal conditions for the growth of numerous rare plant and animal species. Various orchid species and varieties such as the purple orchid, orchid orchid, bog orchid, helmet orchid and other protected plant species such as the cowslip, cornelian cherry, thyme, autumn crocus and yellow gentian are particularly protected. Between 2005 and 2007, the municipality of Wasserliesch set up the Wasserliesch Cultural and Orchid Trail as a hiking trail with the support of the EU and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to make the area, which is now known throughout the region, more accessible. Two circular trails, each six kilometres long and with a difference in altitude of around 200 metres, lead over the Liescher Berg and make the otherwise inaccessible nature reserve accessible to visitors on a marked path. There is a car park with an information board at the entrance to the Perfeist nature reserve. The nature reserve is also located on the third stage of the Moselsteig Trail, a 22.5-kilometre long-distance hiking trail from Nittel to Konz, which passes the Löschem Chapel, among other places, and reaches the Moselle valley after a short descent at Wasserliesch. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)