Anniversary events
June 27, 2026 - Hike to the Betteleiche
Connecting Paths – “15 Years as a World Natural Heritage Site”
Three guided hikes led by park rangers and national park guides, featuring plenty of information about the national park and the World Natural Heritage Site
3 starting points, each at 10:00 a.m.
1. Craulaer Kreuz Hiking Parking Lot (8 km; approx. 3 hrs)
2. Harsberg Hiking Parking Lot (3 km; approx. 1.5 hours)
3. Zollgarten Hiking Parking Lot (6 km; approx. 2.5 hours)
The journey is the destination!
The event will conclude at the Betteleiche around 4:00 p.m.
Each participant can arrange their own return trip.
For those who would like to return in a group, there will be an opportunity to walk back to the starting point together at 3:00 p.m.
All information is available for download here.
At the Betteleiche, you can enjoy culinary delights from the following National Park partners:
"Urwald-Life-Camp" Youth Hostel
WaldResort at Hainich National Park
Rennstieg Hotel Rettelbusch
and Forest Inn "Hainichhaus"
and live music by the duo LÈF, Susann Knoth and Andreas Leffler.
Want to give it a listen? https://lef-musik.de/ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuNxDz34-Dw
Further information
For groups of more than 10 people, please register in advance at nationalpark.hainich(at)nnl.thueringen.de
For people with physical disabilities, there is limited transportation available at 11:30 a.m. from Harsberg to Betteleiche. If needed, please contact us by email by June 1, 2026 at: carolin.moelich(at)NNL.thueringen.de
Hike for UNESCO World Heritage Day
When? Sunday, June 7, 10 a.m.
Where? Craulaer Kreuz hiking parking lot
What? To mark the 15th anniversary of the five German beech forests being designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, a National Park staff member will lead a tour through the National Park and provide exclusive insights into our significant World Heritage Site. He will discuss the developments, challenges, and successes since the UNESCO designation 15 years ago. The approximately three-hour tour combines in-depth knowledge with impressive nature experiences.
Researchers' Day: Hainich World Heritage Site – A Biodiverse Model for Our Own Backyards
When? Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m.
Where? Zollgarten hiking parking lot
What? Hainich National Park is a mosaic of habitats consisting of beech forests rich in deadwood, species-rich calcareous grasslands, and reforestation areas with shrubs, hedges, and pioneer forests that gradually transition into mature woodland. Some of the National Park’s habitats serve as models for species-rich, diverse structures in the garden or on the balcony. They can become oases of diversity right on your doorstep! The Research Day at the Environmental Education Station highlights concrete solutions for the home environment at various stations. By using the diverse structures and habitats of the National Park as a model, gardens and balconies can become oases of diversity right on your doorstep. The Environmental Education Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The stations can be visited continuously during regular opening hours. Staff from the National Park Administration will be on hand during Research Day to answer any questions.
Come on, let's sneak through the World Heritage Forest
When? Sunday, September 20, 11 a.m.
Where? Entrance to the Wildkatzenscheune in Hütscheroda
What? Adventure in the Enchanted Forest. Children explore the beech forest wilderness. This guided tour for children is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the five German UNESCO World Heritage beech forests. On a child-friendly tour, young nature explorers discover the unique features of the beech forest. They hear exciting stories about animals, plants, and the secrets of the forest. In the process, they learn why these forests have been recognized worldwide as unique for the past 15 years.
Researchers' Day: Hainich World Natural Heritage Site – Where the Beech Trees Take Root
When? Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m.
Where? Harsberg National Park Information Center
What? At Research Day in Hainich National Park, we invite all nature enthusiasts to get up close and personal with the soil ecosystem of the beech forest in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and to gain a solid understanding of its formation and fundamental characteristics. Beneath the dense canopy of the World Natural Heritage beech forests in the Hainich, we will explore the processes of soil formation, the characteristics of forest soils, and their close connection to the region’s landscape history. In addition, we will conduct small experiments that practically illustrate key soil functions such as water storage, nutrient cycling, and habitat function, and highlight the special importance of soil diversity in the beech forest.