National Parks

Germany has a dozen national parks. The following is an overview of what you can expect to find.

Bavarian Forest National Park

In Bavaria (south-eastern Germany), the country´s first national park was founded in 1970. In 1997, its total surface area was extended to 243 square kilometers. Together with the Czech Republic's Šumava National Park (Bohemian Forest), located on its eastern side, the Bavarian Forest National Park (NPBW) represents central Europe´s largest protected woodland with nice trails to be explored.

Berchtesgaden National Park

As one of the oldest protect parks in Germany, this park covers 210 sq km and is part of the alpine territory near the Bavarian town of Berchtesgaden in the south-east of Germany. The park is a beautiful place. Once can find forests, sub-alpine spruce stands, lakes and cliffs. This is considered Germany's most beautiful park, with an amazing natural environment that shows little human intervention.

Boddenlandschaft National Park

Covering an area of 805 sq km between the Darss-Zingst Peninsula, the Isle of Hiddensee and the west coast of the Isle of Ruegen lies one of the few still unspoiled and natural landscapes in Central Europe. The landscape was basically formed during the last Ice Age. As well as being a nature reserve the National Park also serves as a leisure retreat for visitors. There is an extensive network of cycle and footpaths with vistas offering a superb view over the countryside and the prospect of a very enjoyable ramble through the National Park.

Harz & Hochharz National Parks

Situated near the former East German border, these parks consist of mostly spruce forest, with occasional meadows, moorland and deciduous forests. There are also caves and several spectacular rock formations in the area. The western portion (Harz) covers 158 sq. km. And is more developed than the Hochharz to the east.

The hiking routes lead you through an ever changing mountainous scenery in the nature park and the national park. You can reach many areas in the national park Harz between May and October by busses operated with environmentally friendly natural gas. Also, you can "climb" the historic Burgberg with northern Germany's only large cabin cable cars. Harz offers many cozy forest restaurants in its vicinity: There are a total of eight, three of them situated in the middle of the national park.

Jasmund National Park

The smallest but possibly most beautiful national park of Germany is located on the island of Rügen and covering only 30 sq km. This national park protects the chalk cliffs along the Jasmund Peninsula. It is a popular destination for visitors during mid-summer.

Müritz National Park

The Müritz National Park lies in the north-eastern lowlands of Germany. and covers about 318 sq km. This amazing and inviting landscape is scattered with lakes and offers a total of 660 km of paths and trails leading through an area with more than 130 lakes, ancient beech forests and mysterious bogs.

Besides exploring the national park on foot, by bike or by canoe, you can also go on boat tours on the lakes of Mecklenburg´s lowland plains (no extra charge for bicycles). Further unforgettable adventures are guided hiking and water hiking tours organized by the national park administration. Canoeing on the river Havel and on the "Alte Fahrt" is another tourist attraction, which will give you the opportunity to explore a wide range of landscapes.

Saxon Switzerland National Park

People visit this park to see amazing sandstone formations. A short distance from Dresdent, the park is characterized by rocks of cretacious sandstone, deep and narrow valleys, table mountains and gorges.

Visitors can take advantage of the guided tours arranged by the national park or go on exciting boat tours leading through the gorges of the national park. For those seeking a romantic experience, there is a boat tour along the river Elbe, on one of the oldest paddle-steamers in the world. A further attraction is a ride on the nostalgic "Kirnitzschtalbahn", a tram which will bring you to the Lichtenhainer waterfall. Its proximity to Dresden means the park can get a bit crowded in summer, but things quieten down on the walking tracks farther away from the river.

Unteres Odertal National Park

This national park is situated in the North-East of Brandenburg, Germany. This park stradles both the German & Polish border. These in a park that is a wonderful wetland area full of amazing flora and fauna. The area is full of rare species. There are also areas for hiking and cycling.

Wattenmeer National Park

The three national parks of the Wattenmeer, in Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony and around the mouth of the Elbe River near Hamburg, covers a similar range of habitats including coastal islands, vast mudflats and sandbanks, saltmarsh, wet coastal meadows and freshwater marshes. The largest is in Schleswig-Holstein. In addition to national park status this area is a Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area. The tidal flats are rich in sea life and host an extraordinary variety of birds. The islands are also very attractive, especially the sand dunes and beaches on Amrum and Sylt. The best time to observe birds is in spring and autumn. Summer, late spring and early autumn are the best times to walk the Wattenmeer, but it is highly advisable to have a guide.

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