Bear Forest in Müritz

Mixed forest, lots of water, extensive grounds: the BÄRENWALD Müritz is located in the middle of the Mecklenburg Lake District. Since 2006, brown bears have found a new home here for life after being freed from often disastrous conditions. BÄRENWALD Müritz is a FOUR PAWS animal welfare project and the largest of its kind in Western Europe.

The bears have taken possession of the deliberately natural forest, where they find optimal conditions to rediscover their instincts and live out their natural behavior. The bears roam through the forest, swim in ponds, live out their play instinct or dig themselves dens for the winter - just as they would do in the wild. Here, the bear simply does what it wants!

Animal welfare, sustainability and barology

The BÄRENWALD Müritz is committed to animal welfare and nature conservation. Sustainability is a direct and conscious focus here. Visitors can experience gentle nature tourism: On a walk through the forest, they gain exciting and interesting insights into the life of brown bears, can immerse themselves in the world of native plants and animals at events and guided tours and experience the forest with all their senses.

If there are no bears in sight, there are many different activities on offer: a nature and discovery trail, an adventure forest playground with picnic facilities and numerous different exhibits that invite visitors of all ages to join in, try things out and think for themselves. A visit to the bears thus becomes a family experience.

If you want to become a bear expert in an exciting and relaxed way, the Bear Academy is the right place for you. The aim is to learn how to treat nature and its creatures with care and respect. An offer for school classes, children's groups, for all day visitors big and small and for anyone who would like to become a bearologist.

Bear adventures - daily and all year round

The BÄRENWALD Müritz is open daily all year round. There are two large parking lots opposite the visitor center. There are also parking spaces for people with disabilities right next to the visitor center. Accompanying persons are admitted free of charge. Outdoor enthusiasts can visit the bear conservation center by bike via the cycle path around Lake Plau or the Mecklenburg Lake Cycle Path.

Special highlight from spring 2021: a small bike stop with service station. In the high season, the BÄRENWALD Müritz can be reached with the Plauer Rundbus or the BÄRENWALD-Müritz-Ticket.

Dogs are of course welcome in the BÄRENWALD Müritz, but should be kept on a lead. The "Pfotenparadies" dog playground is located near the visitor parking area and can be used by visitors free of charge.

Information on accessibility

• 2 marked parking spaces for people with disabilities (350 cm x 500 cm, distance to the entrance 40 m).
• The round bus stop is 50 m from the entrance. There is no seating available.
• The surface of the path from the parking lot to the entrance is low-vibration and easy to walk and drive on.
• The checkout counter is 103 cm high. There is an alternative means of communication while seated.
• The BÄRENWALD Müritz is an extensive park with very spacious outdoor enclosures for the bears. There are steep and bumpy sections on the paths (approx. 2000 m), and an alternative section has been set up for people with limited mobility. The paths are 200 cm wide and have gradients of up to 6% over a length of 500 m. Seating is available. In the BÄRENWALD Müritz, the animal enclosures and the associated information can mainly be viewed and read while seated.
• The Bear Academy on the 1st floor is a multifunctional room and is used for lectures, training courses, etc. It can be reached by elevator. It is accessible via the elevator.
• Cabin size of the elevator: 110 cm x 146 cm, the door is 90 cm wide.
• All areas that can be used by guests are accessible without thresholds or via the elevator.
• All raised doors in public areas are at least 88 cm wide.
• There are wheelchair-accessible tables in the bistro.
• Public WC for people with disabilities with grab rails available.
• The animal enclosures and the associated information can mainly be viewed and read while seated.