Vilm Island

Rügen may be the largest of the German islands, but there are several interesting smaller islands dotted around it. One of these islands is called Vilm, and it is part of the South-Eastern Biosphere. As such, the island has special protection. Boats are not allowed within 100m without permission. Swimming is not allowed in that area either.

The eastern side of Vilm, once the place where the GDR leadership bathed.The eastern side of Vilm, once the place where the GDR leadership bathed.

One part of the island is completely out of bounds to visitors, the other is used by a national government agency for nature conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz). Visitors here are limited to 30 at any one time, only in organised groups and only along a set path. Even the number of tours each year is limited, so when the Biosphere held a press tour on the island, they had to get special permission to exceed that number! [Read more…]

The eagle’s eye view of Rügen from Binz

A new attraction outside Binz on Rügen is hoping to attract visitors and bring them closer to nature during their stay on the island. Outside the town a new nature trail has been built, which features not just an elevated section through the trees but also two towers. The higher of the two goes up as far as 82m above sea level, is shaped like an eagle’s nest and offers spectacular views across the island.

The nature walk in Binz seen from the base

The nature walk seen from the base

The first tower, however, starts at ground level and takes you up into the trees. From there, an elevated section takes you through the woods to the second tower. On the way there are a number of things to do, all of them optional. There are some alternative routes that contain see-saw type arrangements or wobbly boards to make the walk for children more interesting. And there are sensory tasks, such as listening to bird calls through what look like gramophone horns. [Read more…]

The Mühlenwanderweg – walking where the mills used to be

It was only recently that I discovered the Mühlenwanderweg in Oberursel.  It happened quite by chance, as I wanted to walk from the International Scout Camp during the Hessentag into town, and my route took me that way.  Otherwise, I may still not have known it was there.

So when I found out that the local history society (Verein für Geschichte und Heimatkunde) was offering a guided walk along part of the path, I decided to go along and find out more.

The Mühlenwanderweg in Oberursel in the woods behind Frankfurt International School

In the woods behind Frankfurt International School

The Mühlenwanderweg starts in the woods at the Hohemark, behind the new Taunus Information Centre. [Read more…]

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