Rostock Heath, Heath and forest in Rostock, Germany
Rostock Heath is the largest connected coastal forest in Germany, stretching along the Baltic Sea between Markgrafenheide and Graal-Müritz. The area combines dense woodland with open moorlands, reed beds, and meadows, all crossed by a network of marked walking and cycling paths.
In 1252, Prince Heinrich Borwin III sold the woodland to the city of Rostock, which has managed it ever since. For centuries it supplied timber for shipbuilding and fuel before being placed under protection.
The area is easy to explore on foot or by bike, with many flat paths suitable for families. Autumn and spring offer comfortable conditions for longer outings, though paths can turn muddy after rain, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
The nearby Gespensterwald, or Haunted Forest near Nienhagen, is a grove of beech trees twisted into bent and gnarled shapes by the constant Baltic wind. This stretch of woodland is often visited as part of a day in the broader coastal forest area.
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