© Dieter Damschen

Natural landscapes 

Special landscapes – Unique nature 

Protecting and experiencing unique natural resources and special landscapes 

Niedersachsen is home to national parks, biosphere reserves and nature parks. UNESCO has also recognised the exceptional character of the Wadden Sea and the Elbe River Landscape, designating them as World Natural Heritage Sites.  

These are the national natural landscapes in Niedersachsen. 

Nature worth protecting 

Conserving and experiencing landscapes 

The aim of extending protected status to these large landscapes is to strike a balance between protecting the local nature and ensuring visitors can still enjoy it. These areas provide a safe habitat for rare wildlife and plants to thrive undisturbed. As a visitor, you can discover the uniqueness of the local flora and fauna, explore the park or reserve actively by bike, or simply take in the beauty of the landscape. 

From the Wadden Sea to the Harz Mountains, Niedersachsen’s scenic national natural landscapes are wonderfully diverse. Distinctive habitats such as moors, lakes, heathland and mountains are protected over wide areas across the region.  

Drömling

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Südheide Gifhorn GmbH/Frank Bierstedt | CC0

Elbe River Landscape

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Markus Tiemann/ Flusslandschaft Elbe GmbH, Markus Tiemann | CC0

TERRA.vita Nature and UNESCO Geopark

300 million years of Earth's history at your fingertips

TourismusMarketing Niedersachsen GmbH, CrossMediaRedaktion | CC-BY

Harz Mountains National Park

The mountain wilderness where dinosaurs used to tread

TourismusMarketing Niedersachsen GmbH, Alexander Kaßner | CC0

Nature parks in Niedersachsen

What you can discover