UNESCO World Natural Heritage German Beech Forests

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention places outstanding, unique natural and cultural sites under worldwide protection. As a World Heritage Site, unique natural phenomena of exceptional importance for all of humanity are to be preserved for future generations.

Experience world heritage

In 2011, the beech forests in the Müritz and Jasmund National Parks on Rügen were declared a World Heritage Site. Some of the beech trees in the Serrahn beech forests in the Müritz National Park are more than 200 years old. Due to the passion for hunting of the Mecklenburg-Strelitz dukes, the forests remained almost untouched for a long time, as timber exploitation played a subordinate role. Together with the lakes, moors and meadows, the beech forests provide a valuable habitat for animals and plants, e.g. , .

The on the island of Rügen is the largest contiguous beech forest on the Baltic coast. Due to its inaccessible location on the steep slopes, it has never been used for forestry and is the habitat of peregrine falcons and sea eagles, for example, as well as rare wild plants such as lady's slipper and giant horsetail.

Light pours slowly through narrow openings, painting dancing spots on columns that grow straight up into the sky. Then distant noise sets in, like the roar of an organ. A Gothic cathedral could hardly be more impressive than the Stubnitz, the beech forest in the Jasmund National Park.

Beech forests are stately cathedrals of nature. Because beech trees do not tolerate competition. In the battle for light, they are the strongest trees, explains Dr. Ingolf Stodian on a hike through the Stubnitz. He is head of the Jasmund National Park at the Western Pomerania National Park Authority and knows the Stubnitz like the back of his hand.

Deadwood habitat

Because Stubnitz is a national park, humans are not allowed to intervene. Stodian shows an uprooted giant tree. He knows exactly how important deadwood is for the forest: fungi decompose it, then moss and grass grow on it and beetles take up residence. Deadwood also develops because the beech trees sometimes do not find enough support on the drier trees. The good thing about this is that it creates space for new forest communities to develop.
 
Beech trees have been growing on Jasmund for 800 years. Beech forests were once the European primeval forest. But today they are rare. With over 650,000 trees, Jasmund has the largest contiguous beech forest in the entire Baltic Sea region. But the other protected areas in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – the Ivenacker Eichen, the or the primeval forest on the Peenestrom – are grandiose cathedrals of nature.

Exploring the beech forests

The best way to explore the world heritage sites is to go on long hikes on the numerous signposted Wanderwegen . The sun shines down on you through the dense foliage, absolute silence surrounds you and breathtaking views await you. The rangers of the national parks also invite you on guided hikes in the beech forests. Learn interesting facts about the history of the forest, the typical animal and plant species and enjoy the beauty of this unique natural area.

Top cycling and hiking tours through the UNESCO World Heritage Sites