Protected nature
More than 100 national parks, biosphere reserves, geoparks and nature parks in Germany are home to impressive natural treasures that visitors can explore sustainably on foot or by bike, by bus and train, by boat or even by wagon. Unspoilt landscapes, rare animal and plant species and fascinating views by day and by night: welcome to Germany's nature!
All of the regions presented here have been recognised as sustainable travel destinations by TourCert thanks to their extensive measures.
Architecture and experiences in nature in Rostock and Warnemünde
A city trip can be this close to nature. Rostock and Warnemünde combine their charming architecture from the Hanseatic era with unique experiences in nature. For example, the 15 kilometres of sandy beach, which are kept so clean that the Blue Flag flies here constantly as a sign of excellent water quality and strict environmental standards. Or the ten thalasso therapy trailsthat invite you to take an invigorating stroll in the salty air. Getting out of the city and into nature is easy by bus and train, and free of charge for overnight guests thanks to the GästeCard .
Taunus – taking the underground into the nature
Hesse's second largest nature park, the Taunus Nature Park, is just an U-Bahn ride away from Frankfurt. Holidaymakers can reach over 200 hiking trails through romantic beech forests and old oak groves in 40 minutes from the financial hub. A little further west, the Rhine-Taunus Nature Park reveals the wilder side of the region. With a bit of luck, hikers might glimpse lynxes or the Bechstein's bat here. History buffs can experience local architecture and traditional craftsmanship first-hand at the Hessenpark open-air museum.
Westerwald – untouched nature between big cities
Nestled between Cologne and Frankfurt, the Westerwald unfurls in a wonderfully unspoilt way. Meadows and fields characterise this low mountain range, as well as rolling hills, basalt deposits and blue lakes and rivers. Sustainable accommodation is provided by hotels such as the Hotel Heinz in Höhr-Grenzhausen, which has been family-run for over 100 years and combines wellness with a wonderful view. Sports enthusiasts are drawn to the ecologically-run Hotel Glockenspitze in Altenkirchen, or the environmentally-friendly Hotel Zugbrücke with its own table tennis school, which, like Hotel Heinz, is located in Höhr-Grenzhausen.
Pastures, mudflats and waves in St. Peter-Ording
13 stilt houses, four individual small districts and unique nature experiences make a holiday in St. Peter-Ording on the Eiderstedt peninsula particularly special. The twelve kilometres of sandy beach are ideal for swimming and relaxing, but at low tide visitors can also experience guided tours through the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea . The programme includes expeditions to the salt marshes and bird watching around the much-photographed Westerheversand lighthouse . If you've worked up an appetite, you can learn a lot about organic farming and enjoy fresh cheese at the Frisian sheep's cheese dairy .
Picturesque cliffs in Saxon Switzerland
With bizarre rock formations, deep gorges and a balanced approach towards conserving and appreciating nature, the Saxon Switzerland National Park region invites you to enjoy an active holiday. Climbers conquer rock towers without the use of artificial aids (in line with Saxon climbing regulations), and hikers are drawn to the impressive Bastei Bridge or take the historic Kirnitzsch Valley Tramway to different paths through this rocky world. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, take a ferry boat through the mystical landscape of the Oberen Schleuse or sail across the Elbe on a nostalgic steamboat.
24-hour panoramic views in the Rhön
During the day, the Rhön boasts panoramic views over raised bogs, boulder heaps and windswept trees. The HOCHRHÖNER® premium hiking trail connects many of this region's highlights and is the perfect way to experience the landscape.
If anything, it gets even more beautiful at night: parts of the UNESCO biosphere reserve are a dark sky reserve. The Milky Way and cosmic nebulae can be seen here with the naked eye, away from artificial light. The "Green Belt"offers a glimpse into the past: nowadays, natural biotopes along the former inner-German border can be explored by bike or on foot.
500 lakes in the Uckermark by covered wagon
Just 80 kilometres from Berlin, the Uckermark is a paradise for rare animal and plant species with its forest moors, floodplains and more than 500 lakes. Over half of this sparsely-populated region consists of protected landscapes, including the Lower Oder Valley National Park, the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve and the Uckermark Lakes Nature Park.
The region, which won the first national competition as a sustainable tourism destination in 2013, offers a wide range of opportunities for nature-based relaxation: from paddling tours through the lakes to holiday apartments in historic buildings and stays in traditional covered wagons.
Hiking taxis in Siegen-Wittgenstein
Siegen-Wittgenstein, part of the Sauerland Rothaargebirge Nature Park, is the most densely wooded district in Germany – almost three quarters of the area is forested. Nestled inside, idyllic villages with lovingly restored half-timbered houses invite you to immerse yourself in local traditions and culture. The premium hiking resort of Bad Berleburg is the perfect starting point for an exploratory tour. Many hiking routes intersect in the surrounding area, and a hiking taxi is available to take you to the starting points of more distant destinations. Further south, the 17th century Alte Vogtei in Burbach , with its accessible history museum, is a popular destination.
Natural treasures and sites for the soul in the Sauerland
With its dense forests, expansive meadows and clear lakes, the low mountain range landscape of the Sauerland offers a variety of natural experiences. The renaturalised Lippe floodplains with their rich fauna are a popular cycling area, while lovers of geology are drawn to the imposing Bruchhauser Steine rock formation. Eleven hiking villagesare a special highlight and, with more than 4,000 kilometres of uniformly signposted hiking trails linking them, help form the largest German quality hiking region. What's more, each village has its own favourite spots, ranging from 100-year-old abandoned farmhouses to monasteries – perfect for holistic relaxation.
Get up and go in the northern Black Forest
The "boot trips" in the northern Black Forest are the perfect introduction to long-distance hiking – with diverse landscapes, dedicated hosts and delicious regional cuisine. The "wellness hike" starting in Bad Liebenzell combines the healing powers of the springs with healthy exercise. The "culinary delights" route from Calw attracts visitors with regional delicacies along the Nagold river, and "Gäu meets Black Forest" leads from the fertile Gäu landscape to the tree-covered heights of the northern Black Forest. All tours can be booked as packages to include accommodation and breakfast.