Water, forests and world heritage

Pristine forests, wildly romantic stretches of coastline, tranquil lakes and a species-rich native flora and fauna - in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, nature still shows its original side.Beech forests that have survived the centuries, strictly protected nature reserves and an untouched Bodden landscape are home to numerous animal species.

When vacationing in the local nature, travelers can relax undisturbed on the shores of a lake and enjoy the tranquility, explore the habitat of native fish and birds on a lagoon hike, or recharge their batteries while forest bathing.If you prefer to actively explore the woods and meadows, set out on one of the kilometers of cycling and hiking trails through the picturesque landscape between the Baltic Sea, Mecklenburg Switzerland and the Lake District. Here is a selection of nature excursion destinations in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern that should not be missed.

Unspoiled nature is becoming increasingly rare. There are hardly any opportunities left to experience landscapes in their original form. In the country's national parks, nature is therefore allowed to unfold without human influence. Not only plants and animals find their own little paradise here in remote places. Man's exemplary interaction with nature is also reflected in the nature parks and biosphere reserves. It is not without reason that the picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Ancient Beech Forests and the Schaalsee, Elbe-MV River Landscape and Südost-Rügen biosphere reserves are in the international spotlight as nature reserves, making them popular destinations for nature trips.

In special nature experience centers, visitors can uncover the secrets and mysteries of nature. Interactive exhibitions to see, hear and touch invite you on a journey of discovery. Out and about in nature, „jungle explorers“ with a bit of luck, will encounter rare species and experience unique natural spectacles, such as the crane migration in spring and fall.

The unadulterated beauty of nature offers a fabulous sight and unique photo opportunities. Here you can experience relaxation in an incomparable way. Discovery offers lure visitors to the natural landscapes and their visitor centers between the Baltic Sea and the Lake District.

Everything in View - Animal Observation Sites

A red deer in the clearing, a beaver building a dam, the regal eagle or the majestic cranes. Armed with binoculars, camera and animal identification book, nature lovers wait with calm and perseverance at animal observation sites for the first contact.

Next to spring, autumn is the best season to observe wildlife. Around Darßer Ort the red deer feels so comfortable that it can also be seen during the day. During its rutting season in September and October, the distinctive roaring can be heard for miles. There is also a lot going on in the sky. The beginning of October is the peak of the crane migration in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, then tens of thousands of the majestic birds rest here - the best time for a nature vacation.

Get to know the Animal and Plant World on Nature Tours

Rangers and foresters guide visitors to remote corners of the different landscapes. Guided tours are the best way to experience the fascinating nature in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in all its facets up close. The guides share their knowledge, give tips on interpreting animal calls or identifying plant species, and know which places are particularly suitable for nature observation. Secrets about flora and fauna are revealed that would certainly go unnoticed without a guide: whether hidden places where wild bees live, summer meadows as a nursery for the offspring of birds or how red kites can soar with the thermals.

Coastal forests with their wind shoals typical of the Baltic Sea, small lagoons in the Bodden waters, the extensive lake landscape or the ancient beech forests protected by UNESCO - they all provide a home for numerous protected animal and plant species. If you want to combine an active vacation with an excursion into nature, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the place to be. When hiking or biking, the path leads past dreamy coastal and lake landscapes or through dense forests - it is not uncommon for hawks, eagles and co. to show themselves to attentive hikers and hikers.

Water lovers, on the other hand, can discover the habitat of beavers and kingfishers on a raft or canoe trip, while special boat excursions in autumn take in the resting places of cranes.

If you want to express your love of nature in a special way, it's best to plan your overnight stay under the stars. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's campsites offer a successful mix of comfort and nature experiences for young and old. An unusual alternative is to spend the night in a sleeping barrel, for example on the Baltic Sea coast or on a nature vacation in the Mecklenburg Lake District. With space for up to two people, overnight guests sleep right next to the water.

Not by the water, but on it, nature lovers can spend the night on a raft or Hausboot. Spending a night on the swaying watercraft makes you feel incredibly close to the fish that live there. On some waters, guests can fish undisturbed from their floating accommodation. For guests who are not only drawn to the forest, but also high up to the trees, tree houses on ridges provide a fantastic backdrop for their next nature vacation.