Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park

Serengeti, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Everglades, Galapagos - images of great destinations come to mind when we read these names. Images of breathtaking landscapes all over the world that have been awarded the distinction, National Park. As varied as these landscapes are, they do have one thing in common: untamed nature. Here, man has ceased to exert any influence. A remarkably diverse animal and plant world develop exclusively according to the laws of nature.

The idea of establishing national parks arose in the USA in 1872. It was then that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law to protect the Yellowstone area, thus establishing the world's first National Park. The US President described the objective of the park as “Dedicated and designated as a public park or recreational park for the benefit and enjoyment of the people“.

German National Parks stand for large-scale, close-to-nature landscapes. This is why they are particularly well suited for natural development - for allowing wilderness to evolve. In Germany, the first National Park was designated in 1971 in the Bavarian Forest.

National parks not only serve to protect nature and wildlife, but they are also equally a flagship and magnet for the region. The combination of nature and cultural treasures makes the western Hunsrück region unique all the way to the neighbouring Saarland: Celtic-Roman monuments and gemstone mines amid rugged rock faces, moors and extensive forests, rich flora and fauna with one of the largest wildcat occurrences in Europe. The National Park in the Hunsrück provides a unique opportunity to combine nature conservation and develop a structurally weak region.

In the National Park, now rare and disturbance-sensitive animal and plant species find ideal conditions. Pristine forest and plant communities are established. Wildcat and black stork can raise their young undisturbed. To renature moors not only restores the original landscape of the Hochwald Forest, but moors are also the largest CO2 and best water repositories. Just like near-natural forests, they provide an essential contribution to water quality and climate protection.

The National Park plays an essential role in preserving ancient beech forests, considered highly endangered habitats in Europe. Today, about half of the National Park area is forested with beech trees.The main species growing here is the copper beech, a relatively rare species worldwide. In the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park, the protection of natural processes is intended to be in the foreground: Beech trees are allowed to grow old, decay, rot and self-renew. This is the best possible protection for this habitat and its unique species of animals and plants.

The National Park is open to all visitors at any time and free of charge. Here people can relax in unspoilt nature and experience wilderness or discover geological treasures and evidence of an extraordinary cultural history. An on-site coordinated trail map ensures that nature can be experienced on exciting paths and trails. In the National Park, you may also leave these routes, except for specially protected areas.

For those who want to explore the National Park with expert help, you can join a guided tour led by rangers or book the services offered by the National Park guides. Of course, cycling, horseback riding and other nature sports are also welcome as part of the trail concept. Berries and mushrooms may also be collected in designated areas.

With the National Park in Rhineland-Palatinate, the state government aims to fulfil its international nature conservation obligations. The National Park is a significant contribution to implementing the objectives of the national strategy for biodiversity. The biodiversity strategy foresees allowing ten percent natural forest development on publicly owned forest areas. The state fulfils this task with areas of state forest.