Home to bedazzling faces of naturalscapes, Germany is a visual treat to the one whose heart finds joy in the company of nature. National parks, stunning suspension bridges, exciting trails, lush green forests, treetop views and sandstone caves, all add up to create a wholesome experience of a perfect travel destination. Natural vistas are at the heart of Germany.

Saxon Switzerland National Park

If natural forms wonder you and excite you, the Saxon Switzerland National Park is a wonderland of rock formations dating to the Cretaceous period, a section formed by the valley of Elbe, gorges and table mountains. It is popular for being one of the most characteristic landscapes in Europe. With the waters of Elbe’s tributaries cutting across the valleys, the flora and wildlife make Saxon National Park a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts and thrill seekers. The place gets its name from two Swiss artists Adrian Zingg and Anton Graff, who named it Switzerland, as it reminded them of their homeland.

Lueneburger Heide

Known as Europe’s largest heath landscape, the Lueneburger Heide or the ‘Lueneburg Heath’ is a scenic beauty. This region is a woodland in north-eastern part of the state of Lower Saxony in Northern Germany and is very popular for its variety of plant life like junipers, birches, heath, etc. The ‘heath’ is the highlight of this region, making it a highly visited area between August-September, when the heather is blossoming. A large portion of Lueneburg is a natural reserve and holds significance for being a historic cultural landscape.

Treetop Walk Saarschleife

The Saar Bow region has a treetop path, which allows visitors to experience unique perspectives. With a path sprawling through beech, oak and Douglas fir trees and spanning across a distance of approximately 800 metres, it leads to the treetop at a height of 23 metres above the forest floor. There is an observation tower at a height of 42 metres, from where you can savour a stunning view of the Saar Bow valley below. You can find out more about the wildlife of the forest at different learning stations along the walk.

Island of Rugen

The largest island in Germany, Rugen is placed in the Baltic Sea, off the Pomeranian coast, opposite Stralsund. With a stretch of sandy beaches and chalk cliffs, Rugen is now equipped with seaside attractions and resorts, providing you with a variety of activities to choose from, be it long strolls beside the beach, sports adventure or enjoying the view that Rugen has to offer. Apart from its breathtakingly beautiful landscape, the island of Rugen also has a rich historic past.

Schlossberg Cave

Europe’s largest mottled man-made sandstone caves, the Schlossberg caves are seated right below the ruins of the Hohenberg castle. There are more than twelve floors of corridors with mysterious passages lining these caves, leading to halls that are shaped like domes, making these caves quite an explorative trip. The Schlossberg caves are carved in red sandstone, hence the interiors are a mix of red, yellow and a discoloured shade of yellow-red. You can enjoy this mystery excursion with family or a group of friends.

Geierlay Suspension Bridge

If you are looking for the best out of all the breathtaking sights Germany has to offer, the Geierlay Suspension bridge is a marvellous construction running across and surrounded by lush greenery. Hailed as the most beautiful suspension bridge, the Geierlay Bridge in the Hunsruck region, is suspended 100 metres above the Morsdorfer Bach valley. With its design inspired from the Nepalese suspension bridges, Geierlay gets its name after the district it falls in. With Morsdorf as its first point of contact for the bridge, Geierlay is connected to the Saar-Hunsruck-Steig trail, which is a 410 km premium hike. A ‘vertiginous adventure’ in itself indeed, the bridge is also connected to several other shorter trails, promising adventure overlooking green treetops.

Natural Monument Partnach Gorge

With a length of 2.305 feet, the Partnach Gorge has walls that are as high as 263 feet. 233 feet above the river, an iron bridge that was built in the year 1914. To cross the gorge, one has to walk over the bridge. The gorge has been incised by the Partnach stream, in the Reintal valley, hence getting its name as the Partnach gorge. The Partnach gorge is popular among adventure sport lovers as it offers a great hiking opportunity. A boisterous sound caused by the water rushing below and a chance to be so close to nature at its stunning best, makes the gorge a much visited spot.

By: outlookindia.com