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Saarkohlenwald: The forest area of 2026 impresses with history!
The Saarkohlenwald will be named “Forest Area of the Year” in 2026, honoring history and recreation in Saarbrücken.
Saarkohlenwald: The forest area of 2026 impresses with history!
The Saarkohlenwald, picturesquely located north of Saarbrücken, has received the coveted award as “Forest Area of the Year 2026”. This honor is awarded by the Association of German Foresters (BDF) and contributes to the appreciation of sustainable forestry and the preservation of historical landscapes. The decision to award the Saarkohlenwald forest not only brings joy among nature lovers, but also underlines its importance for the region.
With an area of around 50 square kilometers, the forest is home to an impressive 80 percent of beech and oak trees. It is not only a retreat for numerous animal and plant species, but also a popular recreational destination for around 300,000 visitors every year. The Saarkohlenwald tells stories from bygone times, dating back to Roman times, and offers hikers insights into the unique history of the Saarland mining landscape.
A life between history and nature
What makes the Saarkohlenwald so special? Among other things, the numerous miners' paths, tunnel entrances and spoil heaps, which make the history of coal mining visible. A special highlight is a “primeval forest” that extends over ten square kilometers and provides a fascinating insight into the exemplary flora and fauna of the region. But what is also special is the “two-story forest”, which consists of an underground forest that dates back to the Carboniferous period. This swamp forest was pressed through coal mining and therefore offers a unique ecosystem.
The mining of hard coal has also led to many beech forests being cleared and replaced by oak forests, which has influenced the diversity of tree species in the Saar coal forest. All of these aspects make the forest a living greenhouse for nature and an important cultural unit of the region.
A valuable award
The “Forest Area of the Year” award has been presented annually since 2012. The Saarkohlenwald is the 14th region to receive this honor - a great recognition for the efforts to preserve and maintain this special habitat. Various forests have already received awards in recent years, including the Wiesbaden City Forest in 2025, the Augsburg City Forest in 2024 and the Chorin Forest in Brandenburg in 2023.
These awards show how important it is to protect intact forest areas and to raise public awareness of the importance of nature. The Saarkohlenwald is not only a place for relaxation, but also a living history book that brings us closer to nature and local history. The Association of German Foresters not only honors a special forest, but also the community that is committed to protecting and preserving this valuable resource.