Location: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Map
Area: 30 km²
Jasmund National Park is located in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region of Germany. Jasmund National Park covers an area of 30 km² along a Baltic Sea coast. Despite the fact that it is the smallest park in the country it was identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its most prominent feature are magnificent white chalk cliffs on the Jasmund Peninsula. The tallest cliff is known locally as Königsstuhl or King's Chair in German. It reaches a height of 161 meters. Jasmund National Park is covered by forest and swamps. Some of the trees date to the 13th century. Among fauna one of the most prominent residents here is a rare sea eagle that nests here.
The chalk cliffs were designated as a protected area as early as 1926 in order to prevent the chalk from mining in the future. In the last days of the GDR, the stretch of coast was declared a national park on September 12, 1990 and continued after reunification.
Parts of the national park are classified as so important by UNESCO that in June 2011 they were assigned to the world natural heritage "Primeval beech forests in the Carpathian Mountains and ancient beech forests in Germany". The legacy includes 14 other areas in Germany, Slovakia and Ukraine. But the park also has a lot to offer outside of the World Heritage area.
The special geological and climatic
conditions of the region allow the occurrence of different and rare
plant and animal species. The Stubnitz forest area is of enormous
importance because the many water-rich hollows and depressions favor
the biodiversity in the national park. These relics from the Ice Age
paint an unmistakable picture of Jasmund. The kettle bogs and
depressions benefit the growth of black alder. Wild apples and
pears, yew trees and service berries bloom in dry places.
Special plant species:
Wild pear: The wild pear enjoys a high
reputation in the healing arts. The pear juice is said to have a
detoxifying effect. In addition, cooking oil can be obtained from
the kernels and kidney tea from the flowers.
Yew: The evergreen
trees are mainly found in the temperate climatic zone of the
northern hemisphere and they must be approached with extreme
caution, as many yew species are highly poisonous.
Black Alder:
The alder, which belongs to the genus of the birch family, is a
medium-sized deciduous tree and occurs throughout Europe, except in
northern Scandinavia and Iceland. The black alder has a healing
effect on angina and skin diseases.
Service tree: The deciduous
tree species of service tree, which belongs to the rose family, is
also known as ice rowan, atlas tree and wild sparrow hawk tree.
Their fruits can be cooked or consumed overripe.
Yellow lady's
slipper: This type of orchid is under the strictest nature
protection in all countries. It is the only type of lady's slipper
found in nature in Germany, which is why it is particularly in need
of protection.
Chickweed: Also known as beach purslane, the
carnation plant is extremely resilient as a beach plant. It can be
recognized by its yellowish-green color. The seeds found in the
ovary are high in vitamins A and C and can be cooked or cooked raw.
The Jasmund National Park has an extremely diverse
fauna. Sea eagles, house martins, kingfishers and peregrine falcons
can be admired in particularly large numbers. What is breathtakingly
beautiful to observe in the air continues in the wetlands. In
addition to newts and common toads, various types of lizards are
also found there. In addition to the approx. 1,000 species of
beetles, the Jasmund National Park can point to the cream-colored
moth, which can only be found on Rügen in Germany. In addition, the
alpine strudel worm lives in the national park, whose real home is
the mountains.
Special animals in the national park:
Peregrine falcon: The peregrine falcon is one of the largest birds
of prey in the falcon family. A very common bird, as it is native to
almost everywhere in the world. Despite the frequency of its
occurrence, the sight of such a large bird of prey is a peculiarity.
Like the sea eagle, the peregrine falcon was subject to intense
persecution in the 19th century. However, this did not result in
extermination. Worldwide the population is now estimated at around
100,000 animals.
Fire-bellied toad: The fire-bellied toad, also
known as the fire toad, comes from the Bombinatoridae family. The
main source of food is algae and bacteria. The fire-bellied toad
population is so small in Germany that it is considered to be
endangered.
Fallow deer: The fallow deer is a medium-sized deer
and is found in large parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa. The
herd size is up to 80 animals. Fallow deer prefer open forests,
where they have the best access to leaves and grass.
Forest
lizard: The forest lizard has a maximum length of 18 cm and is
brown, brown-gray in color. Due to its very high population, it is
one of the non-endangered reptile species.
Kingfisher: This type
of kingfisher is the only one to be found in Central Europe. The
distinguishing feature is the orange belly, the blue head, beak and
wings. A special distinguishing feature is the approx. 4 cm long
beak, which is noticeable because the maximum body length is only 18
cm.
House martin: With a population size of around 20 to 48
million, the house martin is anything but an endangered species. The
house martin occurs in various regions of Europe and Asia.
Smooth snake: The gray, gray-brown to brownish-red
smooth snake, with its length of 60 to 75 cm, is a small and
inconspicuous species of snake. Due to its small population, the
smooth snake is under nature protection in many countries.
White-tailed eagle: With a wingspan of 193 to 244 cm and a body
length of 74 to 92 cm, the white-tailed eagle, from the family of
the Central European hawk species, is an extremely large bird of
prey. The main sources of food are water birds and fish. Although
the sea eagle was exterminated in Central Europe at the beginning of
the 20th century, it was later able to return to its native region
and has not been endangered since 2005.
Moth: The cream-colored
moth is one of the large butterflies. The distinguishing feature is
the dark color, which offers an almost perfect camouflage during the
day.
By train
By train to Sassnitz.
At Sassnitz train station there is a connection to bus line 23,
which goes directly to the Königsstuhl.
In the street
The
journey to the Königsstuhl and the National Park Center is only
possible on foot, by bike and by bus. With the car you have to park
in a paid parking lot in Hagen, Nipmerow or Ranzow and then walk.
Standard for the journey to the Königsstuhl is the journey to
the chargeable large car park in Hagen. From here you can travel the
3 km to the Königsstuhl with the shuttle bus. Alternatively, there
is a nice hike through the beautiful beech forest to the Königstuhl
des Jasmund. Here you also pass the enchanted Herthasee on the way.
At the parking lot you will also find an extensive tourist
infrastructure, such as public toilets, snack bars and restaurants
as well as sales stands for souvenirs.
By bicycle
The road
L 303 Sassnitz - Hagen im is very busy as the entrance to the
Königsstuhl (Hagen large car park). Avoid the route that is
dangerous for cyclists as far as possible.
There has been a
newly developed, traffic-free alternative route east of the highway
in the national park since spring 2019. Around three million euros
were invested in the 12 km long extension section with fixed
ceilings. Due to its location in the national park, the 2 m wide
route, according to Opensstreetmap, is made of a water-permeable
special concrete. Warning: It is essential to concentrate on
oncoming traffic here! 2 m width is actually too narrow for safe
oncoming traffic - especially since the route has curves and
inclines according to the map (the "technical regulation" ERA
incidentally stipulates a minimum width of 2.5 m for independently
guided two-way cycle paths). From this minimum, oncoming traffic is
relaxed and safe.
Cycling is not permitted on the high bank
path on the chalk coast. This also applies to most of the other
trails in the park.
The area is freely accessible except for the Königsstuhl cliff. The viewing platform on the famous "Königsstuhl" chalk cliff costs 9.50 euros (as of 10/2020) admission (coupled with a visit to the National Park Center). If you are not at all interested in the Königsstuhl National Park Center, you can alternatively visit the Victoria view opposite. This is freely accessible and provides an even more spectacular view down than that from the Königsstuhl.
In general, only
marked and non-blocked paths may be used in the park. The cliff path
is closed to bicycles. This also applies to some other hiking
trails. The cliff edge path can be viewed well on OpenStreetMap.
With the export function at openstreetmap.org you can download the
right piece of map to print out in large on DIN A4.
Plants
may of course not be picked either. Stones (chalk) are also not
allowed in the park. You can get chalk as a souvenir from the
souvenir shop in the National Park Center.
Large stump chamber with the Königsstuhl National
Park Center
The spacious information center is located directly
on the famous cliff. Access to the viewing platform on the rock is
included in the admission fee. If you are not at all interested in
the information center, you can alternatively visit the Victoria
view opposite. This is freely accessible and provides an even more
spectacular view down than that from the Königsstuhl. It is worth
visiting the center, however, because the extensive exhibition is
presented in a very appealing way. If you want to explore the entire
interactive exhibition down to the last detail, you should plan 1½
to 2½ hours for this, including the multivision cinema.
The
Jasmund National Park is presented in picture and sound in a small
cinema with 3 projections. The appealing demonstrations take place
every quarter of an hour. After this "starter", a visit to the
actual 2000 m² exhibition is on the program. The main attraction is
through a gate that opens every 8 minutes for 20 people. In the
darkened anteroom, a friendly staff asks for a tour. Audio guides
with headphones are available in three different guide versions. You
have to decide on a variant. The system is activated automatically
at the information points in the museum and you receive the
appropriate information on the respective exhibition topic.
The three guided tours are each accompanied by suitable music:
"Beauty": The 'romantic' variant is accompanied by a lot of soulful
and atmospheric music that accompanies you on the romantic walk
through the national park. Together with the light projections of
the exhibition, one is quickly drawn under the spell of the national
park. The factual information is not neglected in the romantic tour.
"Curiosity": In this 'scientific' tour, the factual explanations are
somewhat more extensive. For example, the Latin names of the fauna
and flora are mentioned in the lectures.
"Adventure": adventurous
leadership version as an explorer.
Children's tour: There is also
a fourth, separate tour variant for children with an audio guide.
After the instruction in the audio guide and a device test, it
goes on a journey through time. The hourglass is set in a "time
machine" and off you go into the past of the island of Rügen. From a
technical point of view, it is a spacious elevator that brings the
group to the beginning of the exhibition. Here begins the journey
through time through the themed rooms of the exhibition. First, the
geological development of the island of Rügen is dealt with. Further
topics are, for example, the prehistoric times and the fauna and
flora of the national park. Many films and animations take you deep
into the national park and experience the nature of Jasmund from
completely new perspectives. Of course, the adventure exhibition
also has many interactive attractions and stations to take part in.
Opening times: Easter to October 31: daily 9 am-7pm; November
1st to Easter: daily 10 am-5pm; last entry to the multivision
cinema: 20 minutes before closing; Last admission to the adventure
exhibition: 1 hour before closing. Due to the sometimes large number
of visitors, there may be waiting times in the high season (as of
05-2019).
Entry in 2019: Adults: € 9.50; Children 6-14 years:
€ 4.50; Children up to 5 years: free, family ticket (2 adults +
children up to 14 years: 20 €.
The environmentally friendly
journey is rewarded: Anyone who can present a DB long-distance
ticket, an amber ticket, a Schleswig-Holstein, Baltic Sea, or
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania ticket at the cash desk receives
reduced admission. The same applies to Sassnitz spa card holders. In
summer 2010 the discount for adults on the admission price was one
euro. Otherwise there are no further discounts. For the
climate-friendly, island-wide bus journey with the RPNV buses, there
is an inexpensive combination ticket that is valid both as an entry
ticket and island-wide day ticket on the day of the visit: single
ticket € 15, family ticket (2 adults with children up to 14 years):
€ 30 (As of 2010).
Outdoor area: Here you will find a playground
and of course the way to the viewing platform on the Königsstuhl.
From the far forward rocky cliff you have an attractive view of the
chalk coast of Jasmund and across to the Victoria view.
Bistro:
The menu here includes dishes from organic farming.
Small stump chamber with Victoria view
The freely accessible
vantage point can be found opposite the Königsstuhl at the Kleiner
Stubbenkammer. Here, at a height of around 110 m, a viewing platform
offers a very spectacular view of the Baltic Sea. You feel much
closer to the rock here than on the wide Königsstuhl. The narrow
bridge is only for those with a head for heights. The Victoria view
is freely accessible and is located about 500 m west of the
Königsstuhl.
The view is named after the Crown Princess
Victoria. Victoria, daughter-in-law of the Prussian King Wilhelm I,
was there with Wilhelm I in 1865.
Between the two rocky
cliffs is the previously much walked stairway to the beach.
Unfortunately, this is closed as of May 2019 (reopening unclear).
From below you have a completely different view of the chalk cliffs.
Here the rocks appear even more powerful.
Herthasee
The
so-called Herthasee Herthasee in the encyclopedia Wikipedia
Herthasee in the media directory Wikimedia Commons (Borg or Black
Lake) is located between the Hagen large car park and the
Königsstuhl National Park Center. If you simply walk the 3 km
through the beech forest from the parking lot, you will pass the
enchanted lake in the middle of the forest. The water measures 170 x
140 in an oval and is 11 m deep. By the way, there is a sacrificial
stone very close to the lake.
Gummanz Chalk Museum
The
museum is not located directly in the national park, but a visit is
definitely worthwhile for those interested, as it provides
information on the subject of chalk (geology, fossils and use of
chalk).
From
Sassnitz you can take a nice hike on the high bank path along the
steep coast to the Königsstuhl. The route length from Sassnitz train
station is about 9-10 km with a walking time of about 3 to 4 hours
depending on the breaks. You can return to Sassnitz to the train
station from the Königsstuhl by bus line 23. The entry point to the
path along the steep coast can be found in Sassnitz at the end of
"Weddingstrasse". On the way you will also pass the Wissower
Klinken. Most of the famous cliffs fell into the Baltic Sea in 2005.
Incidentally, the cliffs were not the template for Caspar David
Friedrich's famous painting "Chalk Cliffs on Rügen", which he
painted in 1818. The Wissower clinics, as they existed until 2005,
did not exist in 1818. They came about later through erosion.
On the further way you still pass some beautiful viewpoints,
such as at the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt view. Here is a "stool bench"
without a backrest. Another nice spot is the following Auguste
Viktoria view north of the Kieler Bach (also with a bench).
Particularly worth seeing is the Victoria view, which is about half
a kilometer in front of the Königsstuhl and allows a spectacular
deep view towards the Baltic Sea. The small viewing platform at is
only something for those who are largely free from giddiness
(possibly a short waiting time at the bridge, as it only holds a few
people).
Of course, the cliff path is already heavily used,
but compared to the tourist crowds directly at the Königsstuhl, it
is still relatively quiet here. Of course you are rarely alone in
the high season. Those looking for solitude should avoid the high
season and take the hike e.g. B. attack in autumn. Then the beech
forest is also beautifully colorful.
Map: An overview map of the national park can be viewed here on the
park's website.
Footwear - "flip flops" (also called
"flip-flops") are definitely the wrong shoes for the bumpy route.
This also applies to other wobbly shoes with high heels.
Comfortable, waterproof shoes with a good grip, such as trekking
loafers and other waterproof sports shoes with a non-slip profile
sole, are best. Light, ankle-high mountain hiking boots are also
ideal, especially in colder weather. Caution: During or after
prolonged rain, the path is a bit muddy in places. If the last rain
was a few days ago and the hiking day is very likely to be dry, you
can also use trekking sandals with a firm grip and a good support on
the soles.
Walking time & fitness: From Sassnitz train station you walk for
about 3 to 4 hours depending on the breaks for eating, viewing and
taking photos. If you are on the road very hard without long breaks,
you can safely cover the 10 km long route in a good two hours.
However, there is little time to enjoy the unique landscape. If you
make the detour to the harbor, you should add another 30 minutes to
walk. Attention: Even if the route is "only" 10 km long, you still
need a bit of stamina, as the path is very hilly.
Safety, a head
for heights and surefootedness: those who do not have a head for
heights simply stay away from the cliffs. This largely solves the
problem for people who are not free from giddiness. In 08-2010,
however, the path was broken off at one point. However, this point
could easily be avoided by means of new trails in the forest. Cliff
breaks happen again and again, of course. In the event of a storm
you have to be careful in the forest and on the steep coast. This is
especially true for the beach hike. Therefore, it is essential to
pay attention to the current warning notices from the national park
administration beforehand.
Altitude meters - Although the hike is
usually only 50 to 100 m above sea level, there are still a few
meters in altitude, as the route is quite hilly. Some creek cuttings
are conquered with the help of wooden stairs. Rough estimate:
150-200 m (without descent to the beach). Anyone who has hiked the
route with GPS is welcome to store detailed data on the altitude
difference here.
Wheelchair and pram suitability: not given as
the path contains numerous stairs and bumpy passages.
Suitability
for bicycles: The Hochuferweg is closed to cycling. Carrying a
bicycle (pushing or carrying) is also not permitted according to the
signs at the entrance to the path. This regulation also makes sense,
as it would be too tight on the sometimes quite narrow, but longer
staircases in the oncoming traffic with pedestrians. However, two
pedestrians always pass each other comfortably.
Excursions by ship along the chalk cliffs to the Königsstuhl
- the ships depart from Sassnitz, Binz, Göhren and Sellin (info).
to buy
There is a souvenir shop in the national park center. You
can also get chalk here as a souvenir. However, this does not come
from the national park, but from the chalk works near Sassnitz. It
is not permitted to collect chalk in the national park.