Like most groups, any gathering of Germans citizens will find people who disagree on everything from politics to diet, however what they will find consensus on is the value of German forests. More than just locations for recreation or an environmental green lung (though they very much are revered as such), forests hold a deeper, nearly mythological, space within the German psyche. The woods seem to represent a cultural homeland, a place where all people can go to be in touch with their origins and nature.

Forests have been embraced by groups living in Germany from the earliest times. Celtic peoples in the south and west of Germany as well as groups from Scandinavia who migrated into the northern parts of Germany had forest-based traditions. While they may have been organized into numerous unique tribes, the ancient German peoples thrived in a woodland environment and venerated sacred groves and special trees. Oak tree iconography can trace its origins to this time and lasts to this day as a national symbol.

WHERE TO GO:

Learn all about “Waldbaden,” or forest bathing.

• Try the Harzer Hexen-Steig (Harz Witches’ Trail), a 100 km hiking trail in the Harz mountains that visits some of Germany’s oldest magical forest sights.

When the Romans attempted to control Germania, they were often thwarted by the local populations who were, according to descriptions by Roman historian Tacitus, much more adept at fighting in the deep dark forests. In fact, Tacitus describes Germania as being “universally shagged with forests,” and says that the Germanic warriors used forest creatures and symbols from sacred woodlands as their battle standards. Those woods may ultimately have saved the Germanic people from full Roman incursion: certainly a resource worth treasuring.

WHERE TO GO:

• The primeval forests of Germany were largely beech forests. While the trees may not be centenarians, beeches live for roughly 250 years, there are a few remaining ancient groves. Visit the primeval forests of Hainich National Park for a peek back in time. Don’t miss the wooden canopy walkway to see the woods from the treetops.

• The Bavarian Forest National Park is part of the largest protected forest in Europe, and likely the location of the ancient Hercynian Forest that blocked Caesar’s advance into Germania. Extensive hiking trails are the highlight here, with well-marked trails, adventure paths and forest playgrounds.

Trees essentially grew everywhere in Germany until the Middle Ages when land ownership shifted toward the elite members of society, including wealthy nobility, feudal lords and large church-held estates. Forests suffered as more land was cleared for farming and lumber became a commodity.

Nonetheless, even by the mid-1200s, many towns had limits on forest usage that could be considered sustainable management. Forest income and hunting privileges were only a benefit for the elite. However, in some places like the Stadtwald of Kaiserslautern, certain grazing and gathering rights were given even to the lowliest of peasants and are still in place for citizens today.

WHERE TO GO:

• For a medieval forest experience, you cannot beat a visit to the Black Forest National Park. Named by the local tribes for its dark and formidable density, the area is still only dotted with small villages tucked into the woods. You cannot go wrong staying in Gengenbach or Schiltach, with a day trip to Freiburg to feel like a peasant of the Middle Ages visiting the big walled city.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are best known today for their publication of folk tales, though they were also astute historians of language and mythology. Over half of the stories in their collections took place in forests.

WHERE TO GO:

• Visit the “fairytale forest” of Reinhardswald in north-central Germany to explore the region where the Grimm brothers collected many of their stories. Stop in at Rapunzel’s tower in Trendelburg, or visit Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Sababurg.

Industrialization of the 1700s saw an utter collapse of German forests. Mining was the biggest culprit as wood was needed to burn in smelting factories. The effects were so dramatic that in 1713 Hans Carl von Carlowitz of Leipzig created the first forest sustainability plan (he even coined the term “sustainable use”) in an effort to counteract the long-term negative environmental effects.

This environmental consciousness, especially when it comes to woodlands, is still an ingrained ideology throughout Germany. Elementary schools visit forest classrooms and kids grow up spending school time building structures from fallen branches out in the nearest woods.

WHERE TO GO:

Did you know that you can camp in a castle only an hour from the KMC?

To backpack into the forests of Germany for wild camping, you must reserve a Trekking Campsite at one of 15 national or regional parks. Try these options near your installation.

• The Hunsrück National Park west of Wiesbaden.

• The Franconian Forest north of Grafenwöhr.

• The Pfälzerwald south of the KMC.

• The Upper Danube Nature Park south of Stuttgart.

Forests define Germany. While there are many patriotic themes that Germans seem to steer clear of for fear of leaning too far into former nationalist ideas, there isn’t a faux pas in taking pride in the Germanness of forest veneration. The Nazi party used forest-based propaganda with trees planted in the shape of swastikas and Olympic Oaks, or “Hitler Oaks,” were given to gold medal winners of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

Despite that, devotion to woodlands seems to have shed any long-lasting negative correlation and has risen above any particular political association. The romanticism of walking in the woods, appreciating a sacred grove, experiencing nature at its purest and touching the roots of mythology is as near to German patriotism as you can get.