Germany has a total of 16 national parks, 3 of which are located here in beautiful Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. We never realized how diverse our state is. However, in recent years, we’ve seen and experienced a lot in Germany and are now quite familiar with it. If you’re planning a vacation up here on the coast, you should definitely visit one of the national parks in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Visit the beautiful Vorpommern Boddenlandschaft National Park directly on the coast, the Jasmund National Park on the island of Rügen with its steep cliffs, or the Müritz National Park with over 100 lakes, forests, moors, and pastures.
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- National Parks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- 1. Müritz National Park
- 2. Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park
- 3. Jasmund National Park
- Conclusion on the National Parks
National Parks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
On the following map, we have marked the three national parks in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with a dot. The size of the dots in no way reflects the size of the national parks. The map is intended to give you an initial overview of the approximate location of the national parks. You can find out more about the individual national parks in the following article. Enjoy browsing!
1. Müritz National Park
Just recently, we were in the beautiful Müritz National Park in the Mecklenburg Lake District. Lush forests, moors, meadows, pastures, and over 100 lakes awaited us here on approximately 320 km². Müritz National Park is the largest German national park on the mainland, followed by the Harz National Park, the Bavarian Forest, and Berchtesgaden. We visited the national park in the fall and caught a beautiful autumn day with plenty of sunshine and stunning colors. Incidentally, thousands of cranes also rest here in the fall before migrating. Unfortunately, we were unlucky because we were in the national park at the wrong time of day (more likely in the evening or early morning).
Our tour took us from Waren through the western part of the national park (click here for the detailed article). We’ll explore the eastern part of the park next time. The park is home to many plant and animal species. There are 221 bird species (sea eagles, ospreys, cranes, etc.), 54 mammal species (wolves, foxes, deer, raccoons, etc.), 16 reptile and amphibian species, 61 spider species, 26 fish species, 1,445 beetle species, 625 moth species, 655 fungi species, 133 moss species, 910 vascular plant species, and much more. We spotted a beautiful heron, a young deer with enormous antlers, and a few colorful birds.
Activities in Müritz National Park
In Müritz National Park, you have many opportunities to discover nature. Whether on foot, by bike, or by boat and canoe – here in the Mecklenburg Lake District, you’re spoiled for choice. We took a day trip by bike through the park, exploring numerous viewpoints and lakes. The national park features the Müritz National Park Trail, which is divided into nine stages and measures almost 170 kilometers. On these 9 stages, you’ll get to know the most beautiful and exciting corners of the park in more detail.
Or how about a canoe tour through the Müritz National Park? Whether a short tour, a day trip, or multi-day tours with a canoe and tent – everything is possible here in the Mecklenburg Lake District. You can book various tours with Paddel Paul. Surfing and sailing are also on the agenda; check out the Surfmühle in Rechlin or the Surf-Hecht website in Boek. A highlight of this region is the water lily blooming from the end of May. Then the waters transform into a sea of beautiful blossoms. Until the end of August, thousands of water lilies show off their most beautiful side. Grab a canoe and don’t miss this! We’ll check it out next year.
Other options in Müritz National Park:
- Rent a houseboat (e.g., Locaboat, Tom Sawyer Tours, Kuhnle Tours)
- Müritz Bear Sanctuary, Malchow Summer Toboggan Run
- Granzow Canoeing Station, Surfing on Lake Müritz
- Relax at the Müritz Thermal Spa
- Fishing with a tourist fishing license + fishing permit
- Geocaching, Boek Wildlife Park and Nature Store, Müritzeum
- Explore castles, manor houses, and fortresses (overview here)
2. Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park
One of our favorite national parks is the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park, which stretches from the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula to Rügen and the Hiddensee island. With an area of 805 km², it is the largest national park in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the third largest in Germany. On the peninsula, we love to enjoy the fresh Baltic Sea air, the almost 60 km of sandy beaches, and the idyllic landscape. On a hike through the national park on the peninsula, you will not only discover the various landscapes (moors, dunes, forests, beaches), but with a bit of luck, you will also see interesting animals such as wild boars, deer, grey seals and harbor seals.
Not only in the Müritz National Park you can see many Not only can you observe cranes, but also here on the coast. Between September and November, more than 70,000 cranes are said to be seen here. In the national park, you can observe deer, red deer, and wild boar, especially well at Darßer Ort. These animals can be seen easily even without binoculars. On the observation platforms, you can gaze over the vast open spaces, armed with binoculars, and are sure to spot several species of wildlife.
Activities in the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park
Countless guided hikes are offered throughout the year through the national park, especially around Zingst, Darßer Ort, Prerow, Hiddensee, and Rügen. These tours are free of charge, but donations are very welcome. On the following page, you can get a great overview of what the national park has to offer: Guided hikes and tours.
Other options in the national park:
- Visit the artists’ village Ahrenshoop
- Vacation on the Island of Hiddensee
- Take a detour to the Island of Rügen
- Admire the beautiful west beach
- Skydive Ostsee eV
- Visit the Prerow and Zingst piers
- Zees boat trips on the Bodden (Wustrow)
- Baltic Sea Jewelry Showcase in Ribnitz-Damgarten
- Experimentarium Zingst & Technology Museum Pütnitz
3. Jasmund National Park
You’re probably familiar with the island of Rügen, the largest German island with around 77,000 inhabitants and approximately 6.4 million overnight stays per season. Crazy, right? Most vacationers come to enjoy their well-deserved vacation on the beaches. Another highlight is the unique Jasmund National Park with its striking chalk cliffs and beautiful beech forest, which, incidentally, has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park is located in the west of the island of Rügen, on the Jasmund peninsula. It is one of the smaller national parks, covering an area of only around 30 km². Nevertheless, it offers a wide range of possibilities.
During a hike, you’ll discover many great viewpoints, rocky beaches and bays, the beautiful beech forest, and numerous springs, moors, streams, valleys, and small mountains. The beech forest in Jasmund National Park is, in our opinion, definitely one of the most beautiful forests in all of Germany. Here, great importance is also placed on allowing nature to be nature. Animals and plants can develop here virtually unaffected by humans. That’s the whole point of a national park, isn’t it?
National parks safeguard unique natural experience areas and simultaneously create spaces for environmental education and research. They are essential for preserving biological diversity and species richness on this planet. At the same time, the national parks increase the attractiveness of their region and contribute to its economic development.
Source: www.koenigsstuhl.com
Activities in Jasmund National Park
The best way to explore the national park is on a hike or bike tour. We recommend a hike, as this is the best way to explore and get to know the park in depth. One recommended option is the hike from Sassnitz to Lohme along the Hochuferweg (high-bank path). The route is approximately 12.1 kilometers, and you should plan on about four hours. More on this in our separate article. This map of the national park is also helpful (click on the link). Bicycle paths are also marked in the national park. Boat tours to the famous chalk cliffs (Königstuhl) with departures from Göhren, Sellin, Binz and Sassnitz are also popular.
Other options in the Jasmund National Park:
- Explore Sassnitz
- Marvel at the chalk cliffs in the national park
- Spa architecture and lighthouses
- Visit megalithic tombs and barrows
- HMS submarine in Sassnitz
- Butterfly Park in Sassnitz
- Arkona Bunker
- Granitz hunting lodge
- Binz & the seaside resort architecture
- Pier in Binz and Sellin
- Treetop walk in Prora
Conclusion on the National Parks
These three national parks are all completely different and offer countless opportunities to get a little closer to nature. Each national park has its own charms: the Western Pomerania Lagoon Area with its changing coastline, great beaches and dunes, the Jasmund Peninsula with its white cliffs, and the Müritz National Park with its beautiful beech forests and over 100 lakes.
All three national parks are very well signposted, and the trails are well marked. Information boards with interesting facts about the habitats and the national parks are also frequently found. So, if you ever find yourself in our beautiful state, we highly recommend a visit to one of the national parks. You certainly won’t regret it!