Germany

Situated in the far East of Germany in what was once part of the communist bloc, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains National Park is still an insider’s tip. Millions of years ago, a huge ocean had covered the land. With time the water withdrew. Sand and billions of shells were compressed into layers of

sandstone up to 600m thick. Ages of weathering left what looks like the scenery of a fairy tale: thousand of freestanding rock pillars tower above wild forests.

Our programs take place amongst the forests that turn a brilliant golden and deep red in Autumn. Few roads cross the area and hiking is the best way to move about. Between the rocky towers are narrow valleys filled with moss-covered sandstone boulders and soft fallen pine needles. Wildlife is abundant and the mountains even host giant owls and lynxes, extinct in most parts of Europe. The land makes it easy to reconnect with nature.