Ten years of Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park: pure nature in the southwest!

Ten years of Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park: pure nature in the southwest!

The Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and is considered the youngest national park in Germany. It was opened at Pentecost 2015 and covers an area of ​​more than 10,000 hectares, with 90 percent of the area in Rhineland-Palatinate and the rest in Saarland. The main goal of this extraordinary conservation project is to allow plants and animals to develop without human intervention. The park is located in southwest Germany between the cities of Idar-Oberstein, Birkenfeld, Hermeskeil, Morbach and Nonnweiler.

Visitors have the opportunity to gain a first impression of the unique landscape and culture of the region at the Celtic Park National Park Gate in Otzenhausen. There is an exhibition there about the world of the Celts. Michael Koch, managing director of the National Park Gate, describes the national park as an “engine of evolution for the region” and emphasizes that it is supported by the state, the district and the municipality of Nonnweiler, which expects this project to boost the tourism sector.

Tourism and regional development

Florian Schneider, head of tourism in the municipality of Nonnweiler, emphasizes that the natural theme opens up new target groups. However, the number of overnight stays that can be directly attributed to the national park cannot currently be determined. Nevertheless, there are some hotels in the community of Nohfelden that act as official partners of the national park, including CenterParks am Bostalsee and the Seezeitlodge. Andreas Veit, the mayor of Nohfelden, explains that guests who are already staying overnight in the region have the opportunity to visit the national park, which benefits local businesses.

The entire district and Saarland benefit from the appeal of the national park. Udo Recktenwald, the district administrator of the St. Wendel district, emphasizes the ecological significance of the project in the context of climate change. The park's features include ancient beech trees, bogs, arnica and nardus meadows, as well as large differences in altitude and temperature in a small area. The park's motto, “Let Nature Be Nature,” reflects the desire to facilitate a transition from cultivated areas to a fully natural environment, which can take up to 30 years.

Year-round offers for visitors

Birgit Grauvogel, managing director of the Saarland Tourism Office, emphasizes that there are offers for hikers all year round that ensure fun and relaxation even in autumn and winter. The Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park is developing not only as a retreat for nature, but also as an attractive destination for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts.

A report about the national park was broadcast on SR television on May 23, 2025, and aroused particular interest in local and national tourism. The national park remains an important project that can advance the region both ecologically and in terms of tourism, and shows how nature conservation and visitor friendliness can be reconciled. Those interested can find further information on the website S.R and Hunsrück tourism.