Hohe Düne: A Coastal Dune Experience

Hohe Düne, located on the eastern tip of the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula near Ostzingst, is a captivating destination within the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. As the highest white dune on the German Baltic coast, reaching up to 12 meters, it provides panoramic views of the Ostsee (Baltic Sea), the Bodden lagoons, and the unique landscape where the sea and lagoons meet. The area around Hohe Düne, particularly near Pramort, was inhabited until the mid-1960s. Since 1990, it has been part of the national park, accessible only by foot or bicycle along a dike path. This isolation has helped preserve its natural beauty and made it a prime location for birdwatching, especially during the migration seasons. The hike to Hohe Düne typically starts at Schlösschen Sundische Wiese, a hotel and café at the southern end of the peninsula. From there, a paved path leads east through the national park. The path is approximately 9 kilometers to the Pramort observation point, with the Hohe Düne slightly to the north. A shorter walk along a wooden plank path leads to an observation platform on the dune itself. From the platform, visitors can often spot various seabirds and waterfowl, and on clear days, even see as far as the island of Hiddensee. The landscape is particularly sensitive, and access is restricted during certain times of the year to protect migrating birds.