Germany Nature & Wildlife
The seventh largest country in Europe, Germany offers a great deal of unspoiled natural landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. With fourteen national parks found throughout the country, the following are a sampling of the unique nature and wildlife that is featured in Germany.
Bavarian Forest National Park was the first national park in Germany, founded in October 1970. Despite being a popular tourist area with over 300 km of walking and hiking trails, the motto of the park is “Let nature be nature.” It adjoins the Czech Republic’s Bohemian Forest making the two the largest contiguous area of protected forest in Central Europe.
Berchtesgaden National Park in the southeast corner of Germany was named a national park in 1978. While national park status was not granted until the 1970s, the first conservation area in the Berchtesgaden Alps actually dates back to 1910. Found in the Bavarian Alps on the border with Austria, the park is home to Germany’s second highest peak, the Watzman at 2,713 m (8,900.91 ft) which provides a haven for hikers and nature lovers alike. It was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1990.
Jasmund National Park, founded in 1990, is located in the Jasmund peninsula in the northeastern part of Rügen Island. Despite being the smallest park in Germany, it is home to incredible white chalk cliffs that are nicknamed “king’s chair”. The park hosts many rare plants and animals and the undisturbed beech forest found on top of the cliffs was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.
Finally, Saxon Switzerland National Park, founded in 1990 and adjoining the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic, is very popular with mountain climbers. Home to the German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, there are over 750 climbing locations and over 12,000 climbing routes. Saxon Switzerland National Park has been nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Germany”. Some parts of the park have been cultivated by humans while other parts have remained untouched allowing for several different habitats and landscapes.
Germany Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Germany.
Learn about the history and culture of Germany, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Germany's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Germany for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Germany tours today!
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