In Martinau, the rare lady's slipper plant flowers every year between mid-May and mid-June. The area is one of the largest in Europe, further larger deposits can also be found in the Gastern Valley in Switzerland. The Frauenschuh area is located in the alluvial forest near Martinau, a district of the municipality of Elmen. The hike to the Lady's Slipper blossom starts at the bridge in Vorderhornbach. In the vicinity there are also some parking possibilities for the car. The further course of the hike is then on foot. From the parking lot, follow a well signposted path to the south into the alluvial forest. After a few hundred meters you reach the field with hundreds of flowering Lady's Slipper plants. The Lady's Slipper is a rare and protected plant, so it is recommended to follow the marked paths only to make it possible for future generations to visit this rare event. The hike into the Frauenschuh area takes about one hour. Near the field there is also an information point about the lady's slipper blossom. The distance there and back is about 1,5 km.
Status 24.05.2023: Depending on the weather, the blossom will develop accordingly by the Whitsun weekend. A long journey to the lady's slipper blossom will only be worthwhile in a week's time! Full bloom in the lady's slipper area of Martinau is not expected until the beginning of June this year. From the middle of June the flowering will be over again.
