Usedom Island Nature Park

A heron on a stake in the water — TMV/Tiemann ©

Welcome to the wild side of Usedom

The beautiful, sun-drenched island of Usedom also has a wild side: Just a few hundred meters from the lively Baltic Sea beach, rare plant and animal species find their natural habitat in the inland areas. Come visit beavers, white-tailed eagles, and more at the Usedom Island Nature Park!

Usedom's Natural Treasure: Mystical Gnitz

Immerse yourself in the sight of vast meadows, deep-blue lakes, and mystical forests. Marvel at the soaring flight of the white-tailed eagles. Discover places of complete tranquility. Where the little ringed plover, the black-tailed godwit, and the redshank find refuge in unspoiled nature, the Gnitz Peninsula invites you to hike through juniper and pine forests. Along the wooded cliffs, over gently rolling hills, and through salt marshes.

Where otters and sea eagles say hello to you

You might come across sand martins, which build their nesting burrows in the sandy cliffs. The Gnitz also provides a safe habitat for the rare otter. The wetlands of the peninsula are home to moor frogs and agile frogs; great crested grebes nest along the reed-covered shores; wading birds and herons forage in the shallow Achterwasser; and white-tailed eagles circle above the headland.

View of the Achterwasser from the "White Mountain" — Andreas Dumke ©

A sea of flowers in the spring

But it’s not just the wildlife that makes this place so special. In the spring, orchids and broad-leaved orchids transform the meadows into a dazzling sea of flowers. Enjoy the unique view of the Lieper Winkel from the steep banks of the Weisser Berg. Finally, take a moment to let the overwhelming impressions sink in while enjoying delicious homemade cake at one of the quaint cafés.

Usedom's Natural Treasure: A Fascinating Coastal Forest

When was the last time you went for a walk in the woods? Usedom’s coastal forest invites you to do so with its immediate and unique proximity to the sea. Forest and game management on Usedom began over 300 years ago. Today, nature conservation, coastal protection, and the interests of tourism and forestry are all balanced here. The staff at the Neu Pudagla Forest Office are responsible for this delicate balancing act.

A couple is standing in a green coastal forest. — MarTiem Photography ©

Animal Superheroes at Bat Night

The Forest Service manages over 5,000 hectares of pine, red beech, and alder forests on Usedom. In 2016, the “Forest of the Year” award recognized these efforts to preserve the forest’s natural state. Among other things, the coastal forest offers 15 shelters, 30 rest areas, and 7 nature trails. You can experience the uniqueness of this forest in a fun way through Forest Olympics, bat-watching nights, forest theater days, or guided tours with the island’s forestry office.

Do you have any questions about the island's nature park?

Usedom: Life Shaped by Water

In the restored former train station building in the town of Usedom, you’ll find the Klaus-Bahlsen-Haus Usedom Nature Park Information Center. Using modern multimedia technology, the unique habitats of the island of Usedom come to life here. The central theme of water—a defining element of the island of Usedom—runs throughout the entire exhibition.

A Glimpse into Fascinating Worlds

You’ll learn amazing facts about the beach and dunes as habitats, life in the reeds, the use of lowland bogs as exemplified by the Thurbruch, and coastal dynamics as exemplified by the Streckelsberg. White-tailed eagles, otters, and beavers serve as symbols of nature conservation on Usedom. The nature park exhibition is complemented by a 23-minute film about the Usedom Island Nature Park, shown in the auditorium of the Klaus-Bahlsen-Haus.

Island Nature Worth Protecting

Be sure to visit the Jordsand Association’s Nature Conservation Center in Karlshagen. In the former NVA vacation home, you can learn a lot of interesting facts about Usedom’s natural environment. In addition to the natural history exhibition featuring lifelike animal mounts, guided tours are offered weekly. Events for groups, school classes, and youth camps are available upon request. Open year-round on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Usedom and Peenetal Nature Park Expedition

A change of perspective! Discover the Peene Valley in a new light aboard a whisper-quiet solar-powered catamaran or a paddleboat. Go on a moorland hike or book a crane-watching weekend—all while getting up close and personal with nature. “Abenteuer Flusslandschaft” was awarded the European Prize for Sustainable Water Tourism for its sustainable offerings.

Join INSEL-SAFARI on an adventurous Jeep expedition through the natural and cultural landscapes along the Pomeranian Bay. Marvel at the beautiful landscapes and bodies of water. Listen to the sounds of the local birdlife. In a Land Rover Defender, a knowledgeable guide will take you along the lesser-known trails of the island of Usedom.