UNESCO World Natural Heritage German Beech Forests

In 2011, UNESCO recognized the Serrahn beech forests in the Müritz National Park as part of the World Natural Heritage. Since then, a forest that covered around 40 percent of Europe 6,500 years ago has officially borne the world's most valuable nature conservation seal. 2026 is the anniversary year - and you can feel it in the forest.

On 268 hectares, a wilderness is growing here that is left to its own devices: no forestry, no intervention, just time. Walk along the paths through Serrahn, listen to the rustling of the leaves, watch the light filter through the dense canopy and take a deep breath. Each season writes its own chapter - from the carpet of flowers in April to the riot of color in October.

In the anniversary year, there is more to discover than usual: special themed tours with the rangers, excursions with the head of research and discovery tours suitable for children invite visitors to delve deeper into the ecosystem. The exhibition „In the Realm of Beech Trees" in Serrahn will also have a new module that will provide insights into the core zone of the forest for the first time.

On Jasmund you should look for beeches

Light pours slowly through narrow openings, painting dancing spots on columns that grow straight up into the sky. Then distant noise sets in, like the roar of an organ. A Gothic cathedral could hardly be more impressive than the Stubnitz, the beech forest in the Jasmund National Park.

Beech forests are stately cathedrals of nature. Because beech trees do not tolerate competition. In the battle for light, they are the strongest trees, explains Dr. Ingolf Stodian on a hike through the Stubnitz. He is head of the Jasmund National Park at the Western Pomerania National Park Authority and knows the Stubnitz like the back of his hand.

Deadwood habitat

Because Stubnitz is a national park, humans are not allowed to intervene. Stodian shows an uprooted giant tree. He 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.

Beech trees 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-Vorpommern – the Ivenacker Eichen, the or the primeval forest on the Peenestrom – are grandiose cathedrals of nature.

Exploring the beech forests

The best way to explore the world heritage sites is to go on long hikes on the numerous signposted Wanderwegen. The sun shines down on you through the dense foliage, absolute silence surrounds you and breathtaking views await you. The rangers of the national parks also invite you on guided hikes in the beech forests. Learn interesting facts about the history of the forest, the typical animal and plant species and enjoy the beauty of this unique natural area.