Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park – the largest national park in Central Europe
The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park is known to be the largest national park located in Central Europe. The majority of this national park is located under the water, and then about 1/3rd of the park is land.
The area alone is a very large mud flat; in fact it is the largest mudflat in the world. This mudflat reaches from North Sea in the Netherlands and extends to Denmark; it is massive!
The Mudflat is located in Schleswig Holstein which is in the far north location of Germany.
Many people from all across Germany and all over the world love to tour this mudflat because they have heard of it being the largest.
Basically, the only piece of land consists of an island that is located right in the middle of the high end of the water and the low end.
During times when there is a high tide this strip of land is completely covered in water.
Visitors that come to Wadden Sea National park get to see the natural sand dunes, beaches and the marshes as well.
Most people love going to visit Halligen which is a small set of islands which are not protected.
There are dykes that surround these islands, but as the tide gets higher the dykes cannot be seen and they disappear underneath high tide waves.
Generally when there are storms and the Spring tides are present is when these dykes will disappear.
The Species Living in the Mudflats
The mudflats are a home to thousands of different species; about 3,250 species to be exact. The species that can be seen living in the mud flats include:
- Crabs
- Mussels
- Starfish
- Snails
- Mudflat worms (which can be found at the edge of the water)
The national park has created grounds so that the birds will be able to nest their eggs there. The birds are very much appreciated by the tourists that come to visit this national park.
The salt marshes also have a variety of floral life including red fescue, lavender, as well as sea plantain.
There are several experience tour guides that would be able to assist you in touring the Wadden Sea National Park mudflat.
They will explain to you why the tides are higher and lower on certain ends of the mudflat, and they will give you the history of the mudflat as well.
Sandbanks
The sandbanks of the Wadden National Park make up the outer area of the park. The sand banks exist between the Wadden sea and the North Sea.
Grass Blades
Another feature that can be seen in certain areas of the Wadden sea mudflats are the blades of grass.
You will find the blades of grass in the more shallow areas of the mudflats as well in some parts of the islands that are dry.
About 20% or more of the mudflats have some sign of greenery; most known as eelgrass. This area is preserved and kept watch over regularly since it is rare and unique.
Related: Best Places to visit in Germany
