Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Westerhever national park on the North Sea coast in North Germany. What does national park look like in North Germany? You should think differently about a national park if you come to this national park. Here we can see sandbanks, dikes and vast land... very wide to the horizon and reach the coastline far away to the North Sea. And who knows, if you are lucky, you would be greeted by seal family, if not, then you will meet sheep family 😆😆😆
It is nice summer day and we would like to used this nice weather to go to the nature. Our destination is Westerhever National park. This national park is surrounded by dikes. This is not unusual things if here are high dykes protecting land from North Sea, because in some places, the land is below sea level, notably if there is storm.
Since this park is outside dikes, then this forms a unique ecosystem due to tides and lowers of sea water.... it developed sanbanks.... The salt marshes between sandbank and sea dike are now 246 hectares in size and have expanded in recent years.
Before we entering the national park we make a stop in a small shop to buy ice cream. The shop is nice, a typical land house in North Germany. There is also tourist info here (Info Hus).
Then let's explore Westerhever National Park in North Germany
To entering National park is free of charge although fenced. That is for sheeps so they do not get out of the park.
This park has paving path, there are several paths. Some go to the beach, sandbanks and lighthouse. People can walk across path, or by bike.
Why are there sheeps here? Because they are the ones who maintain balance of nature and improve grass after sea water storm eroded. They do that by eating growing grass. If the grass is eaten, then they will grow faster and denser cover soil to protect it from erosion.
Westerhever Lighthouse
Right at boundary of mainland, there is most famous and most photogenic lighthouse in Germany, Westerhever Leuchtturm. This is no longer functional because fishermen and sailors prefer to use gps nowadays. Now the lighthouse is used as museum, and to celebrates marriage ceremony.
There are two buildings on both sides, this is research center of this national park. We may visit this building at anytime during open hours, to read about this national park, to visit education center for children, watching movie about this national park, to buy coffee and cake, or just looking around. And of course toilets.
That was my wonderful day in Westerhever National Park in North Germany, i hope you enjoy my story.
I wish you have a nice day and see you again in the other interesting place, follow me to travel the world.... ✌️✌️✌️
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