Geopark Bergstrasse - Odenwald

Introduction:

The Global Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald is situated in the southwest of the State of Hesse (Federal Republic of Germany). The Geopark territory takes in approximately 3500 km², between the Rhine valley in the west and the Main valley in the east.

The region is bounded to the south by the Neckar valley and to the north by the UNESCO World natural heritage Messel pit.

Geological Heritage:

The Geopark territory includes a unique sequence of more than 500 million years of eventful Global history in the centre of Europe. This is already indicated in the motto of the Geopark:

"Between Granite and Sandstone - Continents on the move". Solely in central Europe, the region between Rhine, Main and Neckar exposes not just a great variety of crystalline and sedimentary rocks, but also the tracks of two major global events: a former continental collision the Oberrheingraben as part of a European wide tectonic structure. Thus, this region provides an unique window into Earth's history, that gives insight in the dynamic processes of our planet.

These will become comprehensible on the one hand through the hereby grown typical rock formations, on the other hand by the characteristic landscape morphology and agriculture.

The geological heritage is precondition for the development of nature, settlement, agriculture, economy and present day life and thus directly connected with nature, man and culture in the Geopark. This living dialogue between the past and the present can be discovered and experienced in the Geopark by a variety of geotouristic and educational offers.

Geotourism:

Based on the unique geological background, the Geopark has developed a networking of experienceoriented geotourism. This includes facilities as well as geotouristic products. The region supports the conception of sustainable and attractive geotourism activities, which are regarded as a long-term joint task of the Geopark network. The Geoparks visitors information system spans the range "between granite and sandstone" and by means “discovery areas” develops individual profiles of partial landscapes, each of which present the characteristic mutual relationships and developments in the geological cultural landscape.

Visitor Service-discover the Landscape with the Geopark-Rangers:

The Geopark-rangers, 30 well trained bio- and geoscientists offer guided landscape adventure tours, environmental and adventure based educational activities. Additionally, in highly frequented hiking areas, they put up information stands with maps and helpful information for visitors.

Program selection:

• Discover Earth history
• Experience the landscape
• Geopark enjoyment walks
• (further information)
• Fascinating wood
• Time train
• Experimental archaeology
• Between granite and sandstone
• Fascinating plants and herbs
• Between day and night
• Stone tales

Geopark informations and products (selection)

• Annual Geopark program (homepage www.geo-naturpark. de)
• Individual Geopark tours
• Individual environmental educational program
• Geopark News (2 times a year, actual projects, events and news)
• Geopark flyer (several topics around Earth history, nature and culture)
• Geopark wine
• Geopark champagne
• Geopark hiking maps (1:20.000, collection of 20 single maps)

Contact

Geopark Bergstrasse-Odenwald

(Member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network)
Nibelungenstraße 41, D-64653 Lorsch
Tel: ++49-6251-7079920

Fax: ++49-6251-7079925
Homepage: www.geo-naturpark.de