The nature reserve, located to the north of the city of Aachen on both sides of the river Wurm in the area of the towns of Würselen and Herzogenrath, is approx. 445 hectares in size and is characterized in large parts by free-swinging river meanders of the Wurm in the open floodplain. The largely natural course of the river has impressive flow dynamics that are unparalleled anywhere in the country. Due to the force of the flowing water, the course of the river is constantly changing, with new channels, gravel banks, crumbling steep banks, abandoned riverbeds and new alluvial forests emerging time and again. The food found in the gravel and sandy banks of the Wurm makes it particularly attractive to certain species of birds, some of which are rare. For example, the rare kingfisher finds ideal nesting opportunities in the riverbanks of the Wurm. The beaver has also returned to the Wurm in recent years. But it's not just nature that draws on the full potential of the Wurmtal; it also has a lot to offer in terms of cultural history. Wilhelmstein Castle, for example, towers high above the Wurmtal valley. Built as a medieval border fortress, the castle ruins are now the main attraction in the Wurmtal recreational area. In the summer months, cultural events from classical music to rock, from theater to cabaret to open-air cinema take place in the shadow of the castle, which are known and loved far beyond the borders of Würselen and the Aachen region. Old mills are a reminder of the industrial heritage, as are various slag heaps and numerous places where coal seams still reach the surface.