The Association of German Nature Parks celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013. Nature parks and nature reserves are among the most beautiful and precious landscapes in Germany. They promote sustainability, protect nature and teach us about the environment and are valuable recreational areas for locals and tourists alike, offering wonderful unspoilt scenery. Cycling and walking tours are the best ways to explore the nature parks.

The 104 nature parks in Germany account for around 25 per cent of the country's total land mass and consist primarily of conservation areas. Among the largest are the Eifel hills in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate and the Bavarian Forest.