Today we dream of travelling to beautiful natural areas in Germany. One day we can travel again, and then we'll be close to Germany and its beautiful countryside. Germany's natural areas offer everything from dizzyingly high mountains to rolling fields of purple heather.
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Beautiful natural areas in Germany
Germany has an amazing number of beautiful natural areas and an extremely varied landscape. These areas can be explored on foot or by bike, or even on horseback or by boat. If you're travelling by campervan or car, you can choose to follow pre-established 'holiday routes' and stop at campsites or other accommodation along the way. Here are ten tips on how to enjoy nature.
1st Lüneburg Heath - moors with purple heather
The Lüneburg Heath is a landscape of large moors. A few hundred years ago, these large heathlands were still common in Europe, but today they are unique. Here you will find heather, juniper bushes, sheep, farms and bee farms. If you come here in August or September you can see the purple heather in bloom, but the landscape is beautiful at any time of the year.
In addition to moors, the park has ancient forests, restaurants, an otter centre and various activities for children. The park can be explored on foot, by bike, from horseback or by horse and carriage. You can also follow the 'asparagus trail' to discover Germany's 'white gold'.
- Read more: Lüneburg Heath
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Niedersächsische Spargelstrasse (Sparrisvägen)
- Camping: Camping Park Lüneburg Heath, Badeweg 3, Schneverdingen/Heber
- Find here: In the federal state of Lower Saxony in northern Germany, between Hamburg, Bremen and Hannover.
2. Jasmund National Park - steep chalky coastline on Rügen
At the far end of the beautiful holiday island of Rügen is Germany's smallest national park. Here you can experience the dramatic white chalk coast that Rügen is so famous for, as well as ancient Unesco-protected beech forests. If you want to mix nature with culture, there are castle ruins from the Slavic era and various museums.
For hikers, there is an 8.5-kilometre trail, the Wanderroute Nationalpark Jasmund, which runs along the coast. For those who prefer cycling, there are two different cycle paths: the Radweg Hamburg-Rügen and the Ostseeküsten Radweg.
- Read more: Jasmund National Park
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: German avenue (Tyska Allévägen)
- Camping: Knaus Camping and Holiday Home Park Rügen, Zittkower Weg 30, Altenkirchen
- Find here: On the Jasmund peninsula at the tip of Rügen in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
3. Nagelfluhkette Nature Park - Alpine peaks and flowers
The Nagelfluhkette Nature Park is located in southern Germany's Alpine landscape, and also extends into Austria. This nature park is a natural area in Germany with everything from high alpine peaks to open meadows full of colourful flowers. Designated as a nature park in 2008, the area is subject to intensive conservation and sustainability efforts. The park is home to golden eagles and the rare Apollo butterfly.
- Read more: Nagelfluhkette Nature Park
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Romantic street (Romantic Road)
- Find here: In the federal state of Bavaria in southern Germany, near Lake Constance, on the border between Allgäu and Bregenzerwald.
4. Eifel National Park - wild beech forests
The Eifel National Park is home to large beech forests, which are now being allowed to return to their wild and natural state. More than 230 endangered plant and animal species now live under the protection of the forest. These include wildcats, beavers and many different species of bats.
You can discover the Eifel National Park on your own or with a guide. The spa town of Gemünd is also home to the 'Walderlebniszentrum', a forest experience centre with activities for both children and adults. If you like wine, this is also an area where you will find nice vineyards.
- Read more: Eifel National Park
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Near the wine route (Near the wine route)
- Camping: Eifelcamping Reles-Mühle, Kapellenweg 3, Körperich/Obersgegen and Eifel Camp, Am Freilinger See 1, Blankenheim/Freilingen
- Find here: In the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in eastern Germany.
5th Thuringian Forest - UNESCO biosphere reserve
The Thuringian Forest is a mountain system and a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve. The mountainous area offers activities such as hiking, mountain biking, downhill and cross-country skiing.
Those seeking peace and relaxation can also find it in the Thuringian Forest. In this German nature reserve, you can enjoy peace and quiet, hike in the footsteps of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, experience local handicrafts or relax in a spa and wellness centre. On a high mountain ridge you will find the medieval Wartburg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area also offers plenty of activities for families with children, including a zoo, aquarium and ice rink.
- Read more: Thuringian Forest
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Thuringian Forest Nature Park Route
- Camping: Camping Thüringer Wald, Mutschwiese 1, Drognitz
- Find here: In the state of Thuringia in central Germany.
6. Harz National Park - steam locomotives and misty mountains
Located in Germany's northernmost mountain range, the Harz National Park offers fabulous forests and great hikes. It includes the 1141 metre high Brocken mountain, which is often shrouded in fog. If you want to travel on the Brockenbahn steam train to the Brocken terminus, which is Germany's highest railway station.
You can go on a guided mountain bike tour and, if you are lucky, you can see wild animals such as red deer or wild cats. Several cultural and historical sites in the area are Unesco-protected, such as the Old Town of Goslar, the mine in Rammelsberg and the Old Town and castle of Quedlinburg.
- Read more: Harz National Park
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Romanesque street
- Campsites: Campingpark Wiesenbeker Teich, Wiesenbek 75, Bad Lauterberg and Campsite Eulenburg, Scheerenberger Strasse 100, Osterode (Harz)
- Find here: In the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony in central Germany.
7. Saxon Switzerland National Parks - amazing rock formations
National Park Saxon Switzerland (Saxon Switzerland) is a beautiful natural area in Germany with amazing rock formations. Many climbers come here for spectacular climbing experiences, and in fact there are as many as 21,000 different climbing routes.
The natural area is also very popular with hikers and cyclists. Here you can see the most unusual rock formations and enjoy fantastic views. There is a reason why many films have been filmed here, such as the Grand Budapest Hotel. If you want to combine your nature experience with German beer, follow the 'Beer and Castle Route'.
- Read more: Saxon Switzerland National Parks
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: The Bier und Burgenstrasse (Beer and Castle Road) ends in Saxon Switzerland.
- Camping: Caravan Camping 'Saxon Switzerland, village square 181d, health resort Gohrisch
- Find here: Just south of Dresden in eastern Germany, near the border with the Czech Republic.
8. Rhineland Nature Park - castles and orchards
In the Rhineland Nature Park you can experience everything from forests, rivers and lakes to volcanoes, open landscapes and small cosy villages. You can go hiking or cycling and there are also plenty of opportunities for other sports and leisure activities, such as swimming and various water activities.
Those interested in culture can check out the baroque castle Augustburg and Falkenlust, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park also has large fruit orchards and many farm shops, as well as four nature park centres where you can learn more about animals and nature.
- Read more: Rhineland Nature Park
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Romantic Rhine
- Campsites: Camping Rheineck, Rheineckerstrasse, Bad Breisig and Camping Zum stillen Winkel, Brunnenweg 1c, Bürder
- Find here: West of the cities of Cologne and Bonn in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany.
9. Black Forest National Parks - adventure in unspoilt nature
The Black Forest National Park is part of an even larger natural area in Germany and offers dramatic views of the Rhine plateau and the Black Forest mountain ranges. Here you will find unspoilt nature, waterfalls and ancient forests.
You can experience the national park by hiking or cycling, for example along the Black Forest Panorama Cycle Route. If you are looking for more adventure and excitement, you can try rafting or mountain carting.
- Read more: Black Forest National Parks
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: Baden wine route
- Campsites: Black Forest Camping Alisehof, Rippoldsauer Strasse 2-8, Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach and International Camping Black Forest, Freibadweg 1 Neuhausen/Schellbronn
- Find here: In the Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord Nature Park in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.
10. Wadden Sea National Parks - North Sea coast and seabirds
The Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer National Park on the North Sea offers a landscape with typical sandy meadows. There are plenty of seabirds here, and those interested in animals can also visit the seal station in Norddeich. There are also lighthouses and maritime museums in the area.
The Hamburgisches Wattenmeer National Park is located directly at the mouth of the river Elbe. Here you can go on excursions to tidal areas, look for amber or watch seabirds. You can also visit the historically interesting and car-free island of Neuwerk.
- Read more: Lower Saxony Wadden Sea and Hamburg Wadden Sea
- Holiday road in the neighbourhood: World Heritage Route number 1
- Camping: Camping Aggen, Ostland 1, Borkum and Camping Am Bäderring, Duhner-Allee 5, Cuxhaven/Duhnen
- Find here: In the far north of Germany.
More nature areas in Germany
There are of course many more nature areas in Germany. You can find information about them at German Tourist Office. Have you experienced any of these, or any other German natural areas? Please let us know!
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Top image in post: Nagelfluhkette National Park © DZT / Gunter Standl
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Lena - good for the soul says:
Wow, so many nice things. I am becoming more and more convinced that this is where I will be going on one of the next holiday trips. We have talked about travelling around and hiking in Germany. Perfect to take part in a post like this!
Hug Lena
04 April 2020 - 8:06
Helena says:
There is so much beautiful nature to discover in Germany! We also want to see more! 🙂
04 April 2020 - 18:57
Razzy says:
I have travelled by train up the Brocken, a great trip through forest and open landscapes, we were lucky and got to the top without fog but oh so cold.
04 April 2020 - 8:48
Helena says:
Oh, cool! That train track seems fascinating! 🙂
04 April 2020 - 18:58
Ninny says:
Oh, gets very resigned and feels hope that this condition will actually be over at some point! So many beautiful places! I have visited Rügen about ten or fifteen years ago - very beautiful!
Have a nice weekend!
04 April 2020 - 8:48
Helena says:
Yes, it takes a while before you can travel, but of course it will pass at some point! Agree that Rügen is fantastically nice, we were there last summer!
04 April 2020 - 18:59
Maria's memoirs says:
We made a detour to Saxon Switzerland when I was in the Czech Republic last year, the Bastei Bridge is especially cool! Also sniffed a bit on the alpine area, Bayerischer Wald etc.
04 April 2020 - 9:47
Helena says:
Oh, cool that you've been there! The nature seems to be absolutely magical in that area! We have hiked a bit in the nature on the Czech side of the border, and that was also amazing.
04 April 2020 - 19:00
Kerstin Persson says:
It is posts like this that we need now. Wonderful Germany that is overlooked by many. Have visited the Black Forest and Bastei. I am keen on Lüneburg and it fits in on the way home if we get away this year. Good that you attach maps. Have a good time and take care of yourself out there ?
04 April 2020 - 9:51
Helena says:
Thank you for your nice comment Kerstin! Glad to hear that it was appreciated! Glad that you visited several of the places! In the end, everything will probably open up again so you can embark on new adventures ...!
06 April 2020 - 9:29
bmlarstravellingblog says:
We've visited and hiked in Jasmund, Eifel and Luneburger Heide, but there are so many attractive places in Germany.
Now it sucks in the remaining arm, but it will probably be a while before there are any trips there or to any other country.
04 April 2020 - 13:53
Helena says:
Oh, great that you have been to these places! Yes, it always sucks in the travelling arm! We also think it will be a while before you can travel, but it will be a special feeling the next time you go abroad!
04 April 2020 - 19:01
BP says:
What incredibly beautiful pictures! Almost enough to make you drool. So beautiful!
I know the Lüneburg Heath. There is a lake there that I have actually sailed on many years ago.
I also know the Black Forest. I remember thinking that the name was well justified when it rained there, because then it turned black. But in the sunshine, the Black Forest was stunningly beautiful.
04 April 2020 - 18:43
Helena says:
The nature in Germany is really beautiful in some places! We want to discover more of German nature ourselves, especially now that we've done some extra reading 😉.
06 April 2020 - 9:29
Tia says:
Germany is a recurring favourite, but no we have not visited these particular nature areas but a lot of others ? Nice to know that we have many more German areas to go to. ??
05 April 2020 - 18:21
Helena says:
Glad you found more areas! And yes, it's nice to have something left to discover when everything opens up again! 🙂
06 April 2020 - 9:30
Pia says:
We have explored 9 of the above areas, some several times. My husband and I love Germany and the fantastic nature and old cities there. I hope we can make a trip in the autumn, but this year everything is uncertain. One thing that is certain is that we will return as soon as we can and may.
04 May 2020 - 22:01