Geopark Hiking Challenge 2025 for the Day of the Forest

Hiking Challenge 2025: "How far are you going?" from 21 March

Hiking in nature, collecting stamps and experiencing adventure at the same time - the perfect combination for all outdoor fans! For the second time, the UNESCO Global Geopark Harz . Braunschweiger Land . Ostfalen invites you to the exciting hiking challenge "How far will you go?".
The starting signal will be given on 21 March 2025, the International Day of the Forest. Until 31 October, all hiking enthusiasts - whether alone, with friends or family - have the opportunity to hike two exclusive special stamps with the Global Geopark logo, provided by the Harz Hiking Needle. The challenge is not only a sporting goal, but also a wonderful opportunity to actively discover the Harz Mountains with their unique geological treasures.
Those who successfully complete the mission not only secure the feeling of having completed a special route, but also the chance to win great prizes. This is because all stamp collectors who send photos of both stamps to the Geopark end up in a lottery pot - the lucky winners can look forward to prizes that promise unforgettable experiences in the Harz Mountains.
You can find out all about the entry options, conditions and prizes in the next issue and from 21 March on the homepage harzregion.de and on Facebook. Be part of it - and show us how far you go!

The day of the forest

Forest Day has been held on 21 March since 1971 as a reaction to the global destruction of forests. In 1971, it was proclaimed "International Day of Forests" by the FAO. Since 2012, this date has been an official action and theme day of the United Nations. PEFC ("Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes"), the world's largest forest protection organisation, uses Forest Day to draw attention to the importance of sustainable forest management. The message is: "Protect forests and use them sustainably instead of destroying them." The day is gaining in importance year after year, as we unfortunately still have a major problem with deforestation and overexploitation of the land, especially in rainforest areas. Forests now only cover 30 % of the world's surface, and it's getting less every day. We need a way to continue to use forests for our benefit and at the same time protect them, as they make a major contribution to converting CO2 into oxygen, among other things, and thus offer another way to reduce CO2 levels in the air. They also strengthen biodiversity and preserve it in the forests. This should be made clear to people who otherwise don't have much to do with it or would like to find out more.

Text about the hiking challenge: Carolin Neumann, Geopark
Text on the Day of the Forest: Linus Tegtmeier, FÖJ at the Geopark
Photo: Carolin Neumann