West-Pomeranian Boddenlandschaft National Park

The West-Pomeranian Boddenlandschaft National Park is the largest nature reserve on the Baltic Sea. A landscape of steep coastlines, dunes, spits of land and shallow waters, it extends from the Darss-Zingst peninsula to the west coast of Rügen and is an ideal destination for both beach and woodland holidays. The term Bodden in the name of the national park refers to the shallow lagoons that are characteristic of this largely unspoilt part of central Europe, bays cut off from the Baltic Sea with a mixture of salt water and fresh water.

Visitors can explore the fascinating coastline and the woodland of the national park on a variety of guided and independent walks. There is a great deal to discover in Osterwald forest on the Zingst peninsula and also in Darss forest, the largest contiguous area of woodland in the national park. Holidaymakers here can enjoy picture-postcard scenes of lush, unspoilt nature. The footpaths in Osterwald forest lead to glorious viewpoints such as Pramort and Hohe Düne and across historically important salt marshes. The region's flora and fauna is amazingly rich and diverse - it is even possible to watch rare wild animals, such as red deer and wild boars, at very close quarters. The West-Pomeranian Boddenlandschaft National Park is also Europe's biggest crane roost. Around 30,000 cranes fly in every autumn - watching them is an unforgettable holiday experience.

Highlights:

• Artists' colony in Ahrenshoop
• Lighthouse and Natureum at Darsser Ort
• Boat tours of the Bodden
• National park centre on Hiddensee
• Museum with gold treasure in Stralsund

Activities:
The car-free island of Hiddensee is the largest island in the national park. The dune heath with its clearly marked footpaths and the hillier Dornbusch part of the island are well worth exploring. The visitor centre on the main trail provides information about the national park. For example, one of the tourist trails leads to Rügen's biggest sandbar, an area of pine and birch forest with marshy lagoons. It has viewing points both towards the sea and also the Bodden from which to observe the flora and fauna.