Nagelfluhkette Nature Park/German National Tourist Board
After the United States launched the national park movement in 1872 with the creation of Yellowstone National Park, many countries built on the movement. Germany has more than a dozen national parks, ranging from coastal parks to parks that claim high alpine terrain and scenery. Here's a quick primer on those parks.
Bavarian Forest National Park: 243 square kilometres, largest unbroken area of protected forest in central Europe, foot paths, cross-country ski trails, cycle routes.
Berchtesgaden National Park: mountains, fantastic walking trails, scenic lakes and dense forests, Lake Königssee, diverse local wildlife, variety of tours and activities e.g. salt mines, cable car.
Black Forest National Park: currently Germany's newest (Jan 2014), harsh climate, high rainfall, mixed mountain forests.
Holstein Switzerland Nature Park/German National Tourist Board
Eifel National Park: first conservation area to protect upland beech forests on acidic soil, habitat for more than 230 endangered plant and animal species, Forest Experience Centre in Gemünd.
Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park: 12,000 hectares of coastal mudflats, small group of islands, smallest of the three Wadden Sea parks.
Hainich National Park: Germany 's newest UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, rare animals such as wildcats and black storks.
Harz National Park: mountainous region, unforgettable scenery, Germany's most northerly mountain range, Mount Brocken, interesting trails, red deer, roe deer and wild boar, as well as birds, Brockenbahn steam railway.
Holstein Switzerland Nature Park: hilly lakeland scenery, unspoiled natural areas, encounter Germany's national bird, the white-tailed eagle.
Harz National Park/German National Tourist Board
Kellerwald-Edersee National Park: 5,700 hectares, unspoiled nature, no roads, settlements or railway lines, guided tours, walks and cycle routes through the national park are available.
Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park: provides protection for the Wadden Sea, coastal area of mudflats, characteristic salt marshes, great diversity of flora and fauna.
Lower Oder Valley National Park: meadowland, scarce and protected birds, 40 types of fish and 50 different species of mammal, river cruises.
Müritz National Park: many lakes, animals: white-tailed eagle, pairs of ospreys in Federow and cranes, ancient beech forests, boats.
Nagelfluhkette Nature Park: Lake Constance, close to the Alps, idyllic towns, rare animals, waterfalls.
http://www.germany.travel/en/leisure-and-recreation/natural-landscapes/naturpark-nagelfluhkette.html
Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park: largest national park in central Europe, largest continuous mudflats landscape of the earth, wetlands, coastal landscape of dunes, beaches and salt marshes.
Saxon Switzerland National Park/German National Tourist Board
Schwalm-Nette Nature Park: woodlands, fens, lakes, walking and cycling trails, watermills, castles.
http://www.germany.travel/en/leisure-and-recreation/natural-landscapes/naturpark-schwalm-nette.html
Saxon Switzerland National Park: more than 36,000 hectares, Elbe Sandstone Massif, close to Dresden and the Elbe, one of a kind in central Europe, rare animals.
Western-Pomeranian Boddenlandschaft National Park: largest nature reserve on the Baltic coast, landscape of cliffs and dunes, spits and lagoons, plenty of guided walks, red deer and wild boar.
Story Categories:
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
National parks and their natural resources belong to you. The National Parks Traveler works to ensure you know how these essential places are being cared for.
Sign Up For Our Weekly Newsletter
Unsubscribe at any time.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
Comments
Thanks for the nice reminder that the national park idea has caught on in other parts of the world. For comparison sake, a hectare = about 2.5 acres, and a sq. kilometer = about 0.4 sq. miles or 247 acres.
That means the "largest unbroken area of protected forest in central Europe" in Bavarian Forest National Park (243 square kilometres) includes about 60,046 acres, which is a little larger than our Mesa Verde NP or about 25% larger than Acadia NP.
Thanks Jim-- As I was reading the story I was trying to remember the conversion into acres-- after your note i didn't have to go look it up!!LOL