Page 539 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  537

or the protected coastal
regions. The Verband
Deutscher Sporttaucher
(VDST) (German Divers’
Association) can provide up-
to-date advice.
Canoe trips can be taken on
many of the country’s rivers –
from calm and picturesque
stretches of water and the
canals of the Spreewald
(see p145), to exhilarating
adventures in rapidly flowing
Alpine streams that demand Canoeing on a stretch of the River Main in Miltenberg
professional skill.
Skiing and National Parks
Mountain Sports Germany has a richly varied
The most renowned centre landscape, from mountains to
for skiing is still Garmish- coasts, and has many nature
Partenkirchen (see p284). reserves, biosphere reserves
Other regions such as the Black and national parks. From the
Forest (see pp330–31) and the swamp-like Spreewald (see
Erzgebirge (see p170) also offer p145) to the lush forests and
skiing. Some of the larger cities mountain peaks of the
have indoor skiing halls, though Bavarian Forest (see p275), each
they are a poor substitute for park has its own spectacular
the Alps (see pp208–9). Cross- natural characteristics and
country skiing is also popular, offers a range of different
and there are many well- visitor services and facilities.
prepared routes. Information All parks have signposted
can be obtained from local trails and most have special
Golfing on the Schloßhotel course in tourist information offices or maps for walking, biking or
Kronberg, Hesse contact the Haus des Ski, jogging tours. These are also
Deutscher Skiverband DSV excellent locations for observing
(German Ski Association). and enjoying the flora and
Golf and Tennis
The Alps are the centre of fauna of Germany’s various
Over the last decade or so, golf German climbing. Here you regions. Many parks have
has become hugely popular in can find sport climbers mixing notices posted to inform
Germany and the number of with Alpinists. The Allgäu visitors about the animals and
courses has increased. Golf is region is probably the most plants indigenous to the area.
usually played at a club, well-known place for climbers To find out more about the
however. You usually need to but challenges can also be various locations and holidays
prove a certain level of golfing found in the Ries basin. The available in Germany’s
proficiency before you are Verband Deutscher Berg- und national parks and nature
allowed onto the course. This Skiführer (VDBS) (Association reserves contact the Verband
can be achieved by showing a of German Mountain and Ski Deutscher Naturparke or
membership card from a Guides) can help you with Europarc Deutschland.
course or club back home. hiring a guide.
Alternatively, look for one of Interesting rock formations
the “Pay & Play” courses, which that provide memorable
can be found throughout challenges are not only to
the country and usually have be found in the Alps, but
only six holes. For further throughout Germany. Places
information contact the such as the Harz Mountains (see
Deutscher Golf Verband. p151), Fichtelgebirge and the
Most large German towns Schwäbische Alb (see pp318–19)
have tennis courts that can be are all outstanding places for
hired for a few hours and there sport climbing. Also, you can
is almost always a private find indoor climbing gyms in
tennis club in all the sizeable most cities. The Deutscher
towns and cities. For more Alpenverein (DAV) Bundes-
information on how to make a geschäftsstelle (German Alpine
booking, contact the Deutscher Association) can help with all Mountain sports in the Schildenstein
Tennis Bund. your climbing requirements. Mangfall mountains

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