Jasmund National Park

Largest beech forest on the Baltic Sea

Published: May 26, 2025

The beech forest on the chalk-white cliffs of Jasmund. The view goes along the coast with a view of the Baltic Sea
Beechnuts lie on the forest floor, fresh from the tree

The forest as a diverse habitat is more important than ever. It is important to know and understand them in order to preserve the old UNESCO beech forests. Dr. Stodian, head of the Jasmund National Park department, explains the different layers of the forest on the chalk cliffs on Rügen in Germany's smallest national park.

View through the forest to the chalk coast on Rügen.

Deadwood habitat

Because the Stubnitz is a national park, humans are not allowed to intervene. Stodian shows an uprooted giant tree. Behind it, a fox snorts through the grass. Frogs are croaking. Stodian 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.

Beeches 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-Western Pomerania - the Ivenack oaks, the Dar Forest and the primeval forest on the Peene River - are also magnificent cathedrals of nature.

Die feinen Verästelungen eines Baumblatts im Detail // The fine ramifications of a tree leaf // © MV-T/Tiemann
The fine ramifications of a tree leaf
Not abstract art, but natural beauty. Fallen trees are also important for the survival of the Rügen beech forest. A very large fallen tree in the beech forest.
Not abstract art, but natural beauty. Fallen trees are also important for the continued existence of the Rügen beech forest.
View through the beech forest in the Jasmund National Park and behind it the steep coast of the island of Rügen.
Stubnitz is the name of the large beech forest in the Jasmund National Park, directly on the Baltic Sea coast of Rügen.

The experience centers show what makes nature tick

Nature experience tips at a glance

29 results

  • © MV-T/Gohlke

    Nationalpark-Information Schwarzenhof

    • Closed today
    • Schwarzenhof, 17192 Kargow

    Das kleine Gutsdorf Schwarzenhof verfügt über eine Nationalpark-Information mit einer Fotoausstellung.

    Read more: "Nationalpark-Information Schwarzenhof"
  • © Barbara Lüthi Herrmann

    National park visitor centre in Blankenförde

    • Blankenförde, 17252 Roggentin

    The visitor centre of the national park is located close to a small timbered church in the building of the former village school and houses a photograph exhibition with the topic ”Vögel und Co. am Zotzensee”.

    Read more: "National park visitor centre in Blankenförde"
  • Außenansicht des UNESCO-Welterbeforum in Sassnitz // © Gesine Häfner / Nationalpark-Zentrum KÖNIGSSTUHL

    UNESCO World Heritage Forum

    • Open today
    • Waldhalle, 18546 Sassnitz

    The hiking base near the port town of Sassnitz on the island of Rügen is dedicated to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage idea. Nature lovers can learn about the phenomenon of ancient beech forests here or simply linger in the greenery, fortify themselves and unwind.

    Read more: "UNESCO World Heritage Forum"
  • The nature park center in Warin // © J. Lippke

    Visitor information centre of the Nature Park “Sternberger Seenland“

    • Open today
    • Am Markt, 19417 Warin

    The visitor information centre in Warin is the ideal starting point in order to inform oneself about the different destinations and experiences the nature park offers. One can learn something about the landscape’s formation and the way the human’s occupation influenced its development. The unique flora and fauna of the nature park greatly fascinate the visitors. Borrow a backpack at the visitor centre and discover the nature park in your own way.

    Read more: "Visitor information centre of the Nature Park “Sternberger Seenland“"
  • © G. Marin-Ziegler

    Small exhibition of the Nature Park “Mecklenburgische Schweiz und Kummerower See“

    • Wargentiner Straße, 17139 Basedow

    The exhibition about the nature park “Mecklenburgische Schweiz und Kummerower See“ in Basedow can be found in the cafe “Alter Schafstall“, on the right side of the guest room. It displays land and people of the region.

    Read more: "Small exhibition of the Nature Park “Mecklenburgische Schweiz und Kummerower See“"
  • © K. Bärwald

    National Park House Vitte

    • Open today
    • Norderende, 18565 Vitte

    "Change" is the title of the exhibition in the Visitor Information Center of the National Park of Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft, and hardly anything could be more appropriate for the island of Hiddensee, which is constantly growing and changing through the forces of nature.

    Read more: "National Park House Vitte"
  • © Nationalparkamt Vorpommern

    “Sundische Wiese“ - National park information of Zingst

    • Open today
    • Sundische Wiese, 18374 Zingst

    The exhibition “Lebensräume“ displays the history and present of the Ostzingst.

    Read more: "“Sundische Wiese“ - National park information of Zingst"
  • Besucherinformationszentrum und Stadtinformation im Klaus-Bahlsen-Haus // © J. Bengs

    Visitor centre of the Nature Park “Insel Usedom“

    • Open today
    • Bäderstraße, 17406 Usedom

    The island of Usedom is one of the areas with the most bird species in Germany. Overall, more than 280 species have been observed, 150 of them also brood here. 11 kinds of raptors regularly brood in the nature park, one of them is the sea-eagle. The visitor centre of the island of Usedom is located next to the information centre of the city of Usedom on the ground floor of the “Klaus-Bahlsen-Haus”. The visitor centre could only be built and furnished with the aid of the great commitment and the generous support of the correspondent foundation.

    Read more: "Visitor centre of the Nature Park “Insel Usedom“"
  • Das PAHLHUUS ist das Informationszentrum des Biosphärenreservates Schaalsee // © PAHLHUUS/Dornblut

    “PAHLHUUS“ – Visitor centre of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Schaalsee“

    • Open today
    • Wittenburger Chaussee, 19246 Zarrentin am Schaalsee

    Welcome to the PAHLHUUS, the visitor centre of the UNESCO biosphere reserve „Schaalsee“. We are happy to inform you about touristic offers and show you the most beautiful places in the biosphere reserve. Extraordinary insights into nature and landscape of the region await you in an interactive exhibition.

    Read more: "“PAHLHUUS“ – Visitor centre of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Schaalsee“"
  • Blick auf die Nationalpark-Information Serrahn // © MV-T/Bodieschek

    Visitor information centre of the National Park “Serrahn“

    • Open today
    • Serrah Waldstraße, 17237 Serrahn

    In the little village named Serrahn, which is located in the depths of the woods, visitors have the opportunity to have a look at the exhibition “Buchenurwälder der Karpaten und Alte Buchenwälder Deutschlands“ concerning the UNESCO world natural heritage.

    Read more: "Visitor information centre of the National Park “Serrahn“"
  • © MV-T/Gohlke

    Visitor centre “Flatterhus Kratzeburg“

    • Closed today
    • Dorfstraße, 17237 Kratzeburg

    The visitor information centre called “Kratzeburger Flatterhus“ houses an exhibition about the mysterious hunters of the night: the bats.

    Read more: "Visitor centre “Flatterhus Kratzeburg“"
  • National park house on Hiddensee

    • Open today
    • Norderende, 18565 Vitte/Hiddensee

    "Veränderung" (change) is the title of the exhibition in the visitor information centre of the National Park “Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft” and hardly anything could be more appropriate for the island of Hiddensee, which is constantly growing and changing due to the forces of nature.

    Read more: "National park house on Hiddensee"
  • The Darss west beach is adorned by a lighthouse, which is part of the NATUREUM. // © Anke Neumeister/Deutsches Meeresmuseum

    NATUREUM and lighthouse Darßer Ort

    • Open today
    • Darßer Ort, 18375 Born am Darß

    The NATUREUM as a natural history museum in the National Park of "Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft" is located on the peninsula Darß near Prerow directly at the accessible lighthouse Darßer Ort and is one of several locations of the German Oceanographic Museum. Here, the diversity, dynamics and need for protection of the unique Darß landscape are presented in particular.

    Read more: "NATUREUM and lighthouse Darßer Ort"
  • SEA MUSEUM Stralsund

    • Open today
    • Bielkenhagen, 18439 Stralsund

    The MEERESMUSEUM in Stralsund's old town is currently closed. The museum is expected to open in 2024 after extensive modernization work.

    Read more: "SEA MUSEUM Stralsund"

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