The only national park in Hesse protects one of the largest contiguous beech forests in Central Europe - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A "new wilderness" is growing right in the heart of Germany. Around 5,700 hectares without settlements, without roads, but with 51 mountains and over 500 springs. Since summer 2011, the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park has been part of the transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site "Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Ancient Beech Forests of Germany". Rustic forests on hilltops and in gorges, rocks and boulder slopes, natural springs and streams as well as tranquil meadow valleys and forest meadows form the treasures of the national park. Nature is allowed to be nature. The deciduous forests are no longer used. The "wilderness of tomorrow" is being created here and can be hiked by visitors on numerous beautiful routes. The Kellerwald-Edersee National Park shows its charming side at any time of year, but especially in spring, the rustic copper beech forest shines in its typical bright green, which is unique in the world. Through the treetops, hikers can repeatedly enjoy views of the glistening blue of Lake Edersee, which runs like a ribbon along the northern edge of the large nature reserve.
If you don't want to explore the national park on your own, you can join a ranger. Ranger tours of the national park take place every weekend - on foot, by bike and covered wagon and sometimes even at night. Adventure days in the WildtierPark Edersee or in the BuchenHaus with its WildernessSchool, guided tours through the Kellerwald National Park Center round off the offer. The 40 or so National Park partner businesses are a good place to eat, stay overnight, feel good and be pampered.