No German city or region has a larger closed coastal forest than Rostock. The Rostock Heath measures around 6,000 hectares and stretches directly along the Baltic coast from Markgrafenheide to the Baltic resort of Graal-Müritz.
In 1252, the Rostock Heath forest was sold to the city of Rostock by Prince Heinrich Borwin III. With a total area of over 6,000 hectares, it is Germany's largest closed coastal forest.
Once a hunting ground and timber reservoir for building houses and ships, the Rostock Heath is now a unique recreational area for hiking and cycling. It offers a diverse range of flora and fauna and, with its mild, stimulating climate of Baltic Sea and forest air, ideal conditions for a healthy and health-promoting stay. On the discovery trail and the Thalasso spa trails, you can get to know the small and large natural wonders of the local forests.
The entire Rostock Heath has been a landscape conservation area since 1996. The nature reserves Radelsee, Heiligensee/Hütelmoor and Schnatermann are located in the Rostock Heath.
Colorful flora:
The Rostock Heath offers ideal living conditions for a large number of plant and animal species. Up to 52% of the woodland is covered in conifers, including pines, spruces, larches and Douglas firs. The deciduous trees are represented by oak, beech and birch (48%), meaning that deciduous and coniferous trees are almost equally represented. In contrast, 827 ha of the Rostock Heath are moors, reed beds and meadows. The occurrence of yew, holly, carnivorous sundew and numerous orchid species in the flora is particularly noteworthy.
Species-rich fauna:
In addition to martens, foxes and badgers, roe deer, fallow deer and wild boar, the heathland is also home to red deer, which rely on large open habitats. With a little luck and patience, the polecat, weasel, white-tailed eagle, grey heron, cranes and kingfishers can be observed.
