While Hamburg’s larger metropolitan region is home to many exciting wildlife parks, there are also some wonderful options closer to home. Even within the city limits, there are places where visitors can spot local wildlife like deer, foxes and owls. So, if you’re a bit short on time but still want to be one with nature, here are some parks to consider.
Hirschpark Wildgehege Deer Park
The Hirschpark in the Nienstedten district of Hamburg can be found on Hamburg’s list of monuments, with its history dating back to the 17th century. It still lives up to its name (which means ‘deer park’) today. Several varieties of deer have been in what is probably the most beautiful park on the Elbchaussee avenue for centuries.
Address
Elbchaussee 477, 22587 Hamburg
Getting There
Bus lines 1, 12, 22 to Mühlenberg
Klövensteen Wildlife Preserve
With its 580 hectares (well over five million square metres!), Hamburg's Klövensteen forest is the largest recreational green area in the district of Altona. Only about 18 kilometres from the city centre, the forest serves the community in many ways. It has a game reserve, the Klövensteen forest school, the Schnaakenmoor nature reserve, a forest playground on the Klövensteenweg and several spots for grabbing a bite to eat.
Industrious visitors in autumn will also find that they can help keep the animals of the park fed throughout the winter. Collecting containers are set up for acorns and chestnuts at entrance areas. Rangers dry these goodies, which then serve as popular additional feed for the animals throughout the colder months. So, if you want to do some good for the wildlife, you may have a new calling as a hardworking nut collector! Just remember not to bring any outside food for the animals, as this wouldn’t be part of their natural diet and can make them ill.
Address
Sandmoorweg 160, 22559 Hamburg
Getting There
S1 trains to Rissen
Niendorfer Gehege Park
Animal lovers are at home in the Niendorfer Gehege park. The area has plenty of bridal paths and can be easily explored on horseback, so you may see riders passing by, and the park is a favourite for dog enthusiasts as well. The extensive dog run area in the Niendorf enclosure offers plenty of space for four-legged friends to run and play, so visitors will surely meet plenty of pooches. But the park’s highlight is of course the local forest animals: deer, foxes and hares frolic in the game reserve at the former forester's house, and with a little luck you can see eagle owls, cuckoos and woodpeckers in the treetops.
Address
Bondenwald 108, 22453 Hamburg
Getting There
U2 trains to Niendorf Markt, or
Bus line 181 to Niendorfer Gehege
Wildpark Schwarze Berge
The expansive Wildpark Schwarze Berge is home to lambs, goats, badgers and raccoons, just to name a few. The wolves are a favourite attraction for most visitors, and the falconry demonstrations, which take place daily, are particularly exciting. In addition to the 8,000-square-metre playground, the park’s petting zoo is very popular with children, where visitors can pet and feed a variety of friendly animals, including West African pygmy goats.
See also our article on Wildpark Schwarze Berge.
Address
Am Wildpark 1, 21224 Rosengarten
Getting There
S3, S5 trains to Neuwiedenthal, then
Bus line 340 to Ehestorf, Wildpark Schwarze Berge
There is on-site parking; travel time from Hamburg is approx. 0.5 hours by car.
Wildpark Lüneburger Heide
This beloved wildlife park in the Lüneburg Heide promises adventures in nature with animals native to the local ecosystem, like wolves and bears, as well as some more rare and exotic residents, like Siberian tigers, musk oxen, griffon vultures, snow leopards, elk and wapitis. All told, the park is home to around 1,200 animals from 140 species. QR codes on the enclosure signs provide detailed information about the animals directly on your mobile phone.
Address
Wildpark 1, 21271 Nindorf-Hanstedt
Getting There
On-site parking is available; travel time from Hamburg is approx. 0.5 hours by car.
