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  • UNESCO

Europe’s original conquerors

March 20, 2020 | Michael Turtle | 8 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

Do you ever wonder what the world would look like if humans hadn’t developed large parts of it?

In Europe, nature never really had a chance at continuing its dominance of the landscapes. But if we had left it alone, it would have been the beech trees that would have conquered the continent.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

Beech trees are quite predatory by nature because their leaf canopies block the sunlight almost completely. This means that it’s difficult for other plants to grow underneath them and only certain non-threatening species can survive in the beech forests.

For this reason, they were able to spread quickly and took over the European continent.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

The centre of these forests was in Germany and the beech trees were the original native vegetation after the last Ice Age.

It’s here that you can get your best glimpse today at the trees as they once were. Be warned, though, there’s not much left.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

Because the wood is great for fires and construction and the land on which they grew was needed for development, the beech forests been reduced to just 0.02% of their original size in the past two centuries.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

In order to preserve what is left of the beech trees, much of the remaining forest has been protected by the German government – and has now been given heritage listing by UNESCO.

Five specific reserves in the country have been declared part of the World Heritage Site – Jasmund National Park, the Serrahn section of Müritz National Park, Grumsin Forest, Hainich National Park and Kellerward-Edersee National Park.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

Despite the shadowlands that beech trees create under their canopies, more than 10,000 other species of plants, animals and fungi can be found in the forests that remain. It’s for this reason that they’re not just significant, but fascinating to visit.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

Visiting the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

All five of the protected areas in Germany offer a variety of experiences. From the white cliffs and coastal breeze of Jasmund National Park through to the inland mountain ranges of Kellerward-Edersee National Park.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

There are hiking trails and recreation facilities in all the parks and some of them have modern and informative visitor centres with detailed information about the remaining beech trees and the forests that once covered the country.

Jasmund National Park, Ancient Beech Forests of Germany

One of the best information centres is at Jasmund National Park – and this is the one I visited.

It has an excellent video presentation and a detailed museum with facts and figures about the forests. There are also guided tours and talks from local experts.

Where is Jasmund National Park?

Jasmund National Park is located at Stubbenkammer 2a, 18546, Sassnitz, Germany.

You can see it on a map here.

How do you get to Jasmund National Park?

To get to Jasmund National Park, catch the train to Sassnitz and then take the shuttle bus, which takes about 20 minutes.

When is Jasmund National Park open?

Jasmund National Park is open at the following times:
Easter – October: 0900 – 1900
November – Easter: 1000 – 1700

How much does it cost to visit Jasmund National Park?

Entry to the park and visitor centre costs €7.50 for an adult and €3.50 for a child. You can also buy a family ticket for €15.

Top tip

While you’re at Rugen, go for a ride on the old steam train called the Rasender Roland.

More information

You can find out more information at the official website for Jasmund National Park.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION NEAR JASMUND NATIONAL PARK

There is a good variety of accommodation offerings on Rügen Island that would work as a base to see the national park.

BACKPACKER

For a good budget option, I would suggest the DJH Hostel Prora which is on the beach.

BUDGET

A lovely and affordable hotel right near Jasmund is Parkhotel del Mar.

BOUTIQUE

There is a wonderful design hotel called Cerês am Meer in the town of Binz.

LUXURY

And if you want to splurge, have a look at Romantik Roewers Privathotel with spa and pool.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

Time Travel Turtle was supported by DB Bahn, the German National Tourist Board and Youth Hostels in Germany but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Mary @ Green Global Travel |

    December 9, 2014 at 4:07 am

    Reply

    Wow, striking numbers on how much the beech forests have diminished over time. That’s great they are being preserved here. They’re beautiful!

  2. Dan |

    January 14, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Reply

    I love how the forest floor can look so clean, not used to that in Australia.

    • Michael Turtle |

      January 30, 2015 at 4:33 am

      Reply

      Yeah, not much can grow under these trees because of the shade so that helps keep it clean. I’m not sure if the leaves fall much in summer when I was there, so that probably has an effect too.

  3. Laura @Travelocafe |

    January 20, 2015 at 10:25 am

    Reply

    Very nice, but I cannot imagine Europe without humans…

    • Michael Turtle |

      January 30, 2015 at 2:36 am

      Reply

      Ha ha, true. It would be pretty boring these days if it was still just covered in these trees!! 🙂

  4. [email protected] insel-ruegen.me |

    June 25, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Reply

    It is a beautiful place to stay. I was in jasmund, a few days ago. It is always worth a visit. In Prora is a treetop path and on the top, over the trees, you can watch to jasmud and over the whole island ruegen.

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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