As a further attraction, but also designed for environmental education and research, the first canopy walk way in a European National Park was initiated in the year 2005. The canopy walk way is in the south eastern part of Hainich. A close-to-nature forest with about 10 tree species and many different structures in the closer surrounding can be experienced by a walk in the tree tops. 

The canopy walk way consists of a tower with tree house and view point and a path 310 m long that begins at the tower and guides the visitor in a wide arch downwards through the trees back to the tower. Impressive insights into the so far unknown world of tree crowns and the biology of the tree canopy are rendered possible. With luck, nesting birds, the protected Middle Spotted Woodpecker or other animals can be spotted. The view point on the top of the tower offers a rare view over the mosaic of the tree tops and the pleasant setting of the park. 

The canopy walk way can be considered as a particular successful device, as 30,000 visitors were counted in the first month and about 260,000 visitors in the first year.  

As well as information on current events, brochures and publications about the National Park (books, CD-ROM), the centres also allow visitors to see films, slide-shows and exhibitions. As early as the autumn of 1998 the National Park administration offered visitors a comprehensive programme with excursions, lectures and guided tours (e.g. “On the Tracks of the Wild Cat” and “Welcome to the Spring Magic Forest”) and lectures. Within the public relations work numerous large events were prepared and carried out with great success. Examples of this include the organisation of an annual National Park Day (on the 9th National Park Day 2006 there were approximately 5,500 visitors), press trips with representatives of national newspapers, and an event for the presentation of the “Hainich National Park” postage stamp. The stamp proved to be a very successful advertising medium for the young National Park as an impressive 8 million copies were printed. Some other important events that occurred during the foundation phase of the park include the following: the creation of a care and development plan; the removal of military sites and forest paths; work on a school class programme; and the development of an annual international youth camp. A final event that warrants mention is the development of the Hainich National Park Home Page in 2001. It can be found at www.nationalpark-hainich.de. 

What could be achieved with the creation of the Hainich National Park?