Natur- und Geopark TERRA.vita

Fossilized mudflats, dinosaur tracks, or Ice Age boulders: Amid the moors, forested hills, and river landscapes of the UNESCO Global Geopark TERRA.vita, visitors can discover ancient witnesses to Earth’s history and climate change. In hardly any other region of Germany can the Earth’s evolutionary history—spanning some 300 million years—be traced and experienced so vividly within such a small area.

TERRA.vita was founded as early as 1962—at that time as a nature park—and has been committed ever since to fostering harmony between nature and people in the region. Today, TERRA.vita is one of a total of seven UNESCO Global Geoparks in Germany. This designation is awarded exclusively to areas with a geological heritage of international significance that also pursue strategic goals for sustainable tourism and regional economic development.

Approximately 1,200 kilometers of hiking trails wind through the geopark. For multi-day hikes, the Ahornweg, Hünenweg, DiVa Walk, and Mühlenweg—among others—are ideal, as they lead through TERRA.vita’s diverse landscapes. Those who prefer shorter routes will find 82 signposted hiking trails—the TERRA.tracks—ranging in length from 3 to 19 kilometers. These trails offer a varied exploration of the landscape between the Teutoburg Forest and the Ankumer Höhen.