A compact nature park in northern Thuringia where gypsum steppe, saline flora, and international birdlife meet.
Naturpark Kyffhäuser
Naturpark Kyffhäuser is a nature park in the German state of Thuringia, situated well to the south of the Harz mountains and just south of the Goldene Aue lowland, with the Thuringian Basin lying further south. Covering roughly 305 square kilometers, it brings together three geologically and scenically distinct areas: the Kyffhäuser massif itself, the Windleite ridge, and the Hainleite ridge.
The park is defined by striking contrasts. On its southern edge, white gypsum slopes form a warm, dry steppe landscape more typical of eastern and southern Europe, while nearby saline springs create inland salt meadows where coastal plant species thrive. To the north, the Kelbra reservoir, with its Ramsar-protected status since 1978, hosts internationally significant bird populations and is a major crane stopover site during migration.
Surrounding the park are historical towns such as Sondershausen, Bad Frankenhausen, and Kelbra, together with the consolidated municipality of Kyffhäuserland. The hydrology of the entire area belongs to the Unstrut river system, with the Wipper crossing through the park and the Unstrut itself forming part of its southeastern boundary.
