Travelling for nature lovers

Whether in the mountains, by lakes or in nature parks: if you're looking to take a sustainable holiday in Germany, you have plenty of options. Funded by the Environment Ministry, the German-language platform Katzensprung, presents destinations and providers that combine ecology, local focus and social responsibility. Here are three examples: 

Seal watching on Helgoland 

Germany’s only offshore island offers not only spectacular scenery but also rare insights into the lives of grey seals. In winter especially, visitors can observe the birth and first steps of the pups – from a safe distance.  

Guided nature walks led by experts provide information on the island’s wildlife, marine habitats and the importance of biodiversity and climate protection.  

Rhön International Dark Sky Reserve 

In the Rhön, the night becomes an experience in itself. One of the few officially designated Dark Sky Reserves in Europe, the Rhön protects darkness itself – aiming to prevent light pollution and preserve the natural night sky. Those who join a guided stargazing walk may be lucky enough to spot not just the Milky Way, but also the zodiacal light – a faint beam that appears after sunset and before sunrise low on the horizon. 

At special sky-viewing sites, visitors can lie back and gaze at the stars. Information panels explain astronomical phenomena and offer insight into ecological connections. 

Overnight in a “Cloefhänger” tree tent 

If you’re looking to experience nature from a completely new perspective, you can spend the night up high in the Saarland. Under the title “Cloefhänger”, a nature experience team offers guided hikes with overnight stays in so-called “tree tents.” These suspended tents hang between trees, two to three metres above the ground, with views over the valley lights and the starry sky above. 

Evenings are spent gathered round a campfire, where travellers can get to know each other and share stories. The next morning, the journey continues along the treetop walkway through the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park – among oaks, beeches and spruces, and past experience stations focused on forest ecology.