The forest in the middle of the city

Eilenriede

Hannover's 640-hectare urban forest serves as the city's green lung right in the heart of the city.

Hannover is known for its vast urban forest. Located in the eastern part of the city, the Eilenriede spans 640 hectares of woodland, making it one of the largest and oldest contiguous urban forests in Europe. The Eilenriede is divided into a northern section near the zoo in the district of the same name and a southern section, which belongs primarily to the Kleefeld district. The area, which is almost twice the size of Central Park, establishes Hannover as a green metropolis.

After evolving into a local recreational area in the 19th century, the Eilenriede has been owned by the city for more than 600 years and attracts visitors not only with its rich flora and fauna but also with numerous sports and recreational activities. The extensive network of trails in the Eilenriede allows for relaxing walks through the greenery—hundreds of benches, ponds, sunbathing and dog-walking areas, forest restaurants, and adventure playgrounds attract not only Hanover residents but are also a popular attraction for tourists. The fitness trail with 15 exercise stations and the well-maintained paths, which are also regularly used for inline skating, cycling, and jogging, provide opportunities for physical activity.

You can immerse yourself even deeper in nature through various audio walks or the Forest Station, which offers unique insights into Hannover’s forest life—the Eilenriede is home to deer, foxes, hares, martens, and bats, among other animals. The Forest Station is located at Kleestraße 81. In addition to many interactive and hands-on stations, there is also a tree nature trail, a 32-meter-high forest observation tower, and a garden featuring poisonous and medicinal plants. A total of 62 tree species can be discovered throughout the grounds.