Stadtwald Kühlungsborn: Climbing Forest, Nature Learning Trail & Hiking

North Sea Vacation: When thinking of Kühlungsborn, the first thing that comes to mind is the kilometers-long sandy beach and the fresh sea air. However, this North Sea town has another natural gem to offer — the Stadtwald Kühlungsborn. 133 hectares of forest, the longest cable car in Northern Germany, a nature learning trail, and a climbing forest make it one of the most diverse excursion destinations along the entire North Sea coast. This guide shows you what to expect and how to plan your visit optimally.

Overview hide

Stadtwald Kühlungsborn: The Most Important Facts at a Glance

Hiking Routes through the Stadtwald

Wo befindet sich der Stadtwald Kühlungsborn?

Kletterwald Kühlungsborn: Abenteuer auf allen Niveaus

Nature Learning Trail: Knowledge for the Whole Family

Equipment for the Stadtwald and North Sea Hikes

Clothing for North Sea Hikes: Layers Instead of Mass

Safety in the forest and on the beach

Leave No Trace: Protecting the forest and nature

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the city forest Kühlungsborn

Weitere Ausflugstipps rund um Kühlungsborn

Stadtwald Kühlungsborn: The Most Important Facts at a Glance

The city forest is located between the districts of Kühlungsborn Ost and West — the green heart of the “Green City by the Sea”. 14 different deciduous tree species and 8 coniferous tree species shape the forest. For families, hikers, and nature lovers, it offers a complete program.

Feature	Details
Area	133 hectares
Location	Between Kühlungsborn Ost and West
Tree species	14 deciduous tree species, 8 coniferous tree species
Special feature	Longest cable car in Northern Germany (103 m)
Climbing forest	7 courses, various difficulty levels
Nature learning trail	11 stations, Bronze Age tumulus
Entry to the forest	Free of charge

Hiking Routes through the Stadtwald

The Stadtwald offers several marked paths — from short walks to extended hikes.

Route	Length	Duration	Difficulty	Highlight
Nature Learning Trail Loop	approx. 3 km	approx. 1 hour	Easy	11 stations, Bronze Age tumulus
Stadtwald Ost–West Crossing	approx. 4 km	approx. 1.5 hours	Easy	Full cross-section of the forest
Forest Edge + Beach Combination	approx. 6 km	approx. 2 hours	Easy	Alternating forest/beach
Gespensterwald Nienhagen Day Route	approx. 12 km	approx. 3–4 hours	Moderate	Gespensterwald Nienhagen

Tip: The Nature Learning Trail is ideal for families with children from the age of 4. The interactive stations explain the forest ecosystem in a playful way.

Wo befindet sich der Stadtwald Kühlungsborn?

Kletterwald Kühlungsborn: Abenteuer auf allen Niveaus

The climbing forest is the heart of the Stadtwald for adrenaline lovers. On seven different courses, you climb from tree to tree, zip on ziplines, and cross suspension bridges.

Kids’ course for the youngest (from approx. 4 years old)
Adventure course for school children
Advanced courses up to 10 m height
Longest cable car in Northern Germany: 103 m across the forest
Large bungee trampoline on site

Important: Climbing equipment and a detailed briefing are included in the admission price. Bring sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing.

Nature Learning Trail: Knowledge for the Whole Family

On the Nature Learning Trail through the Stadtwald, you will learn the basics of the forest ecosystem. At 11 interactive stations, action and observation tasks await you:

Identify and compare tree species
Discover the forest floor and its inhabitants
Learn to read animal tracks
Visit the Bronze Age tumulus with three burial sites from past millennia

The trail is freely accessible and suitable for all age groups. Perfect for a rainy day or as a supplement to a beach visit.

Equipment for the Stadtwald and North Sea Hikes

The Stadtwald is not an alpine terrain — nevertheless, the right preparation is worthwhile, especially for longer hikes towards the Gespensterwald or beach routes.

Equipment	Importance	Note
Sturdy hiking shoes or good sneakers	Recommended	Forest floors can be slippery after rain
Rain jacket	Highly recommended	North Sea coast: weather is changeable
Small backpack (10–20 L)	Recommended	Water, snacks, and spare clothes for children
Insect repellent	Mandatory in summer	Ticks and mosquitoes in the forest
Sunscreen	Mandatory at the beach	Forest edge combination: don’t forget UV protection
Komoot / Offline map	Recommended	For longer hikes towards Nienhagen

Clothing for North Sea Hikes: Layers Instead of Mass

The weather along the Baltic Sea coast is capricious — a cool wind can significantly lower the temperature even on summer days.

Base layer: Breathable functional underwear — keeps warm, wicks moisture away
Middle layer: Light fleece or thin down jacket — easily packable and unpackable
Outer layer: Wind- and waterproof jacket — mandatory at the coast

For the climbing forest: Long pants and tight-fitting clothing recommended — loose sleeves can get caught in the equipment.

Safety in the forest and on the beach

Tick protection: Check your entire body after every walk in the city forest — Borrelia and FSME are present in the region
Children in the climbing forest: Always complete the full safety briefing
Orienting: Well-marked in the forest, nevertheless bring a map
Coastal weather: Check the weather report — fog and wind can quickly appear

Leave No Trace: Protecting the forest and nature

The city forest is a habitat for many animal and plant species. With these rules, you stay nature-friendly on your way:

No picking of plants or collecting mushrooms outside of permitted areas
Take all trash with you — including fruit peels and cigarette butts
Keep dogs on a leash — wild animals in the forest need peace
Do not leave the trails — the forest floor is sensitive
Fire is generally prohibited in the city forest

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the city forest Kühlungsborn

Ist der Eintritt in den Stadtwald kostenlos?
Ja, der Stadtwald selbst ist kostenfrei zugänglich. Für den Kletterwald und das Bungee-Trampolin wird ein gesonderter Eintritt erhoben.

Ist der Stadtwald für Hunde geeignet?
Ja, Hunde sind im Stadtwald auf den Wanderwegen erlaubt. Im Kletterwald und auf dem Spielgelände sind Hunde aus Sicherheitsgründen meist nicht gestattet — vorher prüfen.

Ab welchem Alter ist der Kletterwald geeignet?
Der Kletterwald bietet Kids-Parcours ab ca. 4 Jahren. Für die anspruchsvolleren Parcours sollten Kinder mindestens 7–8 Jahre alt und klettertauglich sein.

Wie lange braucht man für den Naturlernpfad?
Mit Kindern ca. 1,5 Stunden, ohne Kinder ca. 1 Stunde — je nachdem wie lange man an den einzelnen Stationen verweilt.

Kann man im Stadtwald zelten?
Nein — Wildcampen ist im Stadtwald nicht erlaubt. Campingplätze findest du direkt in Kühlungsborn und Umgebung.

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