LOCATION
Is situated roughly in the middle between Berlin and Rostock, in the south of the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The total area is 318 km2
Müritz National Park is the land of the thousand lakes and it was founded in 1990. The National Park is divided into two separated areas, Müritz and Serrahn.[1] The first, larger portion extends from the eastern shore of Lake Müritz to the town of Neustrelitz. The latter, smaller part is situated east of Neustrelitz. The landscape features of the park are made up from terminal moraine, sandur and lowlands. 65% of the territory is covered with forest, 12% by lakes. The remaining area is made up of swamps or meadows. There are about 100 lakes in Müritz National Park, including Bullowsee, and many smaller waterbodies, runs, ditches and brooks. The Havel rises in the Müritz section, close to the water divide between the Baltic and the North Sea. A 660-kilometre network of trails leads through an enchanting landscape characterised by ancient beech forests, mysterious marshes and vast expanses of water, including more than 130 lakes. The uniqueness of these woods was acknowledged in June 2011 when they were awarded UNESCO world natural heritage status. Notable animals in the park include the red deer, the crane, the white-tailed eagle and the osprey. Other animals include great bittern, reed warbler, redshank, greenshank, black stork, crane, teal, garganey and little stint. In addition to the unspoiled nature in general, a lot of open common juniper stands can be found in the national park. They were formerly used for cattle grazing. An excursion to the extensive cultivated meadows near Mueritzhof is highly recommended. Careful pasturage with Swedish Fjaell cattle and Gotland sheep has helped to conserve and encourage threatened plant species such as orchids, gentians, and saponaria.
ATTRACTIONS
There are a large number of cycling trails on which to explore the region and the national park office regularly conducts guided walks, but visitors are not restricted to cycling or walking when it comes to discovering the new and unexpected, as boats and canoes provide excellent alternatives. Larger pleasure boats are often able to accommodate bicycles on board. Canoeing trips on the Havel river and the ‘Alte Fahrt’ circular route are an excellent way to get to know this rich and varied landscape. The Heinrich Schliemann Museum in Ankershagen is dedicated to the life and work of this famous archaeologist. The town of Waren with its old quarter and steamboat cruises is also well worth a visit. It is recommended to visit Waren city – it is a town and climatic spa in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. It was the capital of the former district of Müritz (Kreis Müritz) until the district reform of 2011.
