Bruchhauser Steine nominated for Nature Wonder of the Year 2026

The Bruchhauser Steine in Olsberg-Bruchhausen have been nominated for the ‘Nature Wonder of the Year 2026’ title. These porphyry rock formations, which rise over 90 meters high, were created by volcanism more than 380 million years ago and are protected as a National Natural Monument and National Geotope.

The Heinz Sielmann Foundation and the German Hiking Association (Deutscher Wanderverband) are organizing the vote. Residents of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland can vote for one of nine candidate locations on the foundation's website until September 27.

Other nominees include the Steinzoo in the Zittau Mountains, Badberg dry grassland in the Kaiserstuhl, the Teufelsmauer in the Harz foreland, the Wiltinger Saarbogen, Druidenstein in the Westerwald, the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, and the Alperstedter Ried moorland.