Nature Photography on Rügen Island

For better orientation, I have added an overview map on the left (for more details, please click on the map on the left). Rügen has a maximum length of 52 km in the north-south direction and a maximum width of 41 km. The coastline is characterized by numerous bays and peninsulas, and especially this ruggedness by bays and inlets is part of the charm of the island of Rügen. In the northeast of Rügen is the Jasmund Peninsula, which is likely to be a major attraction for nature photographers, as it is characterized by the chalk cliffs and beech forest. The accommodation options on Rügen are quite numerous, and for those who want to stay near the chalk cliffs, I recommend looking for accommodation in the town of Sassnitz.
(back to the top)

To get to the beach, there are two options: either go directly to the shore from Sassnitz, or use one of the four descents from the cliff-top path. The descents consist of wooden stairs, some of which have over 400 steps. The easiest ones are the two descents in Piratenschlucht (see map at the end of the report), which have less than 100 steps each. Along the cliff path from the chalk cliffs, there are several noteworthy viewpoints of the rocky landscape. A well-visited attraction is the Stubbenkammer with the Königsstuhl (King's Chair) National Park Center. From the fee-based parking lot "Hagen", you can hike a 3 km forest path up to the Königsstuhl. Alternatively, there is a bus shuttle service that goes up to the National Park Center. The road to the National Park Center is only allowed for bus traffic from 9:00 a.m. onwards. Until 9:00 a.m., you can also drive up the road by car, and if you want to take pictures in good light, you should already be up there by then. From a photographic point of view, you can skip the paid National Park Center because when you are there, you are already standing on the 118-meter-high Königsstuhl, and essentially only have the view of the Baltic Sea. A much better view of the Königsstuhl can be had from the nearby Victoria View (see map at the end of the report).
From Königsstuhl, you can continue hiking southward along the cliff path towards Sassnitz and along the way, you'll find magnificent views of the landscape of the chalk cliffs. As I mentioned earlier, the best time for photography at the chalk cliffs is early in the morning when the sun beautifully highlights the structures of the cliffs, which is how the picture of Königsstuhl was taken shortly after sunrise.
(back to the top)

Translated to English: Kap Arkona is located on the Wittow Peninsula in the north of the island of Rügen and is characterized by a 45-meter-high cliff coast. While the best light can be found in the morning at the chalk coast in the Jasmund National Park, Kap Arkona is also very suitable in the evening. However, the direct route by car to the cape is only open to residents, all others can use a paid parking lot in Putgarten and must then allow for a walk of about 2 km to the cliff coast. Once you have made it to the lighthouse on the northern tip, you can reach a 230-step staircase via a small footpath, which helps you to overcome the cliff coast down to the beach. The beach is characterized by coarse gravel stones, similar to the beach at the chalk cliffs. There are several smaller rocks in the water that can be beautifully incorporated into photos together with the setting sun. If you prefer to photograph at Kap Arkona in the morning, simply walk in an easterly direction at the end of the staircase and you will be presented with the cliff coast in the morning light.
To the east of the parking lot see map, there is an old fishing village called Vitt, which I did not visit myself, but which is said to offer beautiful motifs, according to what I have been told.
(back to the top)