Can we visit comfortably without the steep woodland sections?

Yes. Plan around Parkanlage and Kunsterwiesen, where you can see the otters and several other animal areas. Check the entrance slope and any individual access needs with staff before travelling.

Is this the same outing as the Kunsterspring nature reserve?

No. The zoo has an entrance charge and captive animals. The nearby reserve has a separate woodland walking route. Set aside extra time if you want to visit both.

What should we do if an animal is out of sight?

Try another enclosure and return later, or ask staff about that day’s feeding. Avoid calling, tapping or offering food to draw an animal closer.

Can we cycle from Neuruppin?

The zoo recommends the Tierpark-Heide-Radweg from Rheinsberger Tor in Neuruppin. Treat the ride as an additional part of the day and leave enough energy for the woodland paths.

Illustration

ZooBrandenburg, Germany

Tierpark Kunsterspring

Come to Tierpark Kunsterspring for otters in a real stream and European wildlife among old woodland, meadows and springs.

Official website

About

Come to Tierpark Kunsterspring for otters in a real stream and European wildlife among old woodland, meadows and springs. Start at the entrance map and feeding notice, then take your time around the lower Parkanlage. The Kunster runs through the otter enclosure, with natural banks and bridges framing a particularly absorbing place to stop. Watch the water for a while rather than expecting the animals to perform on arrival.

The zoo follows the shape of the valley. Domestic animals and waterbirds occupy the lower park, while the Kunsterwiesen lead towards black storks and red deer. Higher woodland holds lynx, European bison, wild boar, fallow deer and wolves. This is a good place to choose a few animals and spend longer with them: a resting lynx or a wolf quietly watching its surroundings can be just as interesting as a feeding.

Families can mix animal stops with information boards, the walk-through owl woodland and a playground break. The wooded setting also makes the choice of route important. The lower areas offer a gentler visit; the upper woodland involves a proper climb and steps.

This guide covers the admission-charging zoo. The neighbouring Kunsterspring nature reserve is a separate outing, with its own circular woodland walk starting near the forestry school. Its spring-fed ravine and protected woodland are the focus there; the zoo animals described here live in enclosures and should not be expected along that reserve walk. Wondering what that bird or insect is? Find out on your visit using the Snappit nature app.

In 1966, forestry apprentices planted a teaching garden at Kunsterspring. That same year, an apprentice brought in a wild-boar piglet he believed had been abandoned; named Petra, she became the starting point for the animal collection. More animals and enclosures followed, with apprentices from several countries helping the site grow. Neuruppin took over the collection on 1 September 1975 as a municipal Heimattiergarten. That connection between forestry, learning and local animals still helps explain the character of today's park.

What to do here

Begin with the roughly 300 m Parkanlage loop, then follow the Kunsterwiesen path, about 500 m each way if you return along it. These lower sections make a satisfying shorter visit around the otters, domestic animals and meadow-side enclosures. Use the information boards to compare how an otter moves in water with the climbing of a marten or raccoon.

If everyone is comfortable with steps and steep ground, add Hochwald I and Hochwald II, each an approximately 500 m loop. The first brings you to woodland animals including lynx and bison; the second includes wild boar, fallow deer and wolves. Follow the park signs and make the climb a separate decision rather than automatically committing to every enclosure.

Choose one keeper feeding as the day's anchor. Otters have a published daily schedule, while several other carnivores have Friday fasting days; the wolf schedule is posted at the entrance. For a more focused visit, reserve a place on the wolf or “Fischotter & Co” themed tour when dates are offered.

Seasonal info

The zoo opens daily, with longer visiting hours from April to September and a shorter day from October to March. Red deer prepare for their autumn rut, so their behaviour adds interest around September. In wet weather, favour the lower sections and leave the rootier, steeper woodland for another day. Bring waterproof layers: much of the visit is outdoors. The Wolfsnacht is a separately scheduled night tour; check future dates and availability before making it the reason for your trip.

Accessibility

Parkanlage and Kunsterwiesen have largely accessible paths, but the entrance has a slope of up to 10% over about 50 m. Contact the park beforehand if this is a barrier; an alternative vehicle-assisted entry can be arranged by agreement. Hochwald I and II are reached by steps and a roughly 80 m section steeper than 10%, and have uneven woodland surfaces and roots. They are a poor choice for many wheelchair, rollator or pushchair users. There are designated accessible parking spaces and an accessible toilet in Kunsterwiesen, around 100 m from the main entrance. Ask about your particular requirements on +49 33929 70271.

Don't miss

Kunster otters

Spend time beside a stream enclosure shaped around flowing water and natural banks.

Woodland predators

Find the upper paths to lynx and wolves, allowing for the steep access.

Kunsterwiesen

Explore a gentler valley section with black storks, red deer and the owl woodland.

A park with a local story

Its beginnings lie with forestry apprentices and a wild-boar piglet called Petra.

Walks and routes

Parkanlage

Lower park circuit around domestic animals and the stream-side visitor area.

Largely accessible lower route; the entrance approach still has a slope of up to 10% over about 50 m.

Parkanlage

Kunsterwiesen

Meadow-side path towards black storks and red deer; allow for the return journey.

Largely accessible lower route with conditions affected by weather.

Kunsterwiesen

Hochwald I

Woodland circuit including lynx and European bison.

Steps and an approximately 80 m approach with gradients above 10%; woodland roots and uneven surfaces.

Hochwald I

Hochwald II

Further woodland circuit including wild boar, fallow deer and wolves.

Upper woodland reached by the steep stepped access; unsuitable for many visitors using mobility aids or pushchairs.

Hochwald II

Wildlife and habitats

Watch the water and bank edges from the public viewing places. A keeper feeding can help you see the otters moving between land and stream.

Pause quietly at the wolf viewpoints. Look for interactions within the group; check the entrance notice if seeing a feeding matters to your visit.

Take your time scanning the lynx enclosure rather than expecting movement. The published afternoon feeding has a Friday fasting exception.

Look for the bison’s deep forequarters and curved horns. Stay behind the visitor barrier and use distance to fit the whole animal into your photograph.

Make this a quiet stop on the lower valley walk. The black storks belong to the zoo collection, so this is an enclosure-viewing opportunity.

Watch the meadow as well as its edges. Around the autumn rut, take time to observe how the stag and other deer behave.

Follow the public route through the fallow-deer woodland. Give animals room to move and let them choose how close they come.

Look for the boars resting as well as moving about. This enclosure is a good place to recall Petra, the piglet behind the park’s beginnings.

Watch how the raccoons climb and use their front paws. The morning feeding has a Friday fasting exception, so confirm the schedule at the entrance.

Look for quick movements and climbing in the marten barn enclosure. If you miss them initially, make a second stop rather than calling them out.

Sources and useful links

Wildlife you might spot

Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.

Eurasian Otter

Gray Wolf

European Lynx

European Bison

Snap map for this place

Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.

Loading map…

Good to know before you go

Arrival address

Use Kunsterspring 4, 16818 Neuruppin, OT Gühlen Glienicke. Parking is available beside the zoo.

Bus planning

Check ORP routes 787 and 794 for Kunsterspring, including your return journey. The approach from the stop runs beside the L16 without a pavement; keep children close and discuss assistance with the park if needed.

Choose suitable shoes

Woodland roots, steps and slopes make grippy footwear useful, especially after rain.

Read the entrance notice

Wolf feeding times vary, including fasting days. Do not assume that every advertised carnivore feeding runs on Fridays.

Food break

Waldgaststätte Eichkater is by the entrance. The restaurant closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; a snack service has separate opening arrangements. Check before relying on a sit-down lunch.

Give animals space

Stay on visitor paths, respect barriers, keep noise down and never reach into an enclosure.

Dogs

Dogs may visit on a lead with a separate ticket. Move on promptly if your dog barks at the animals.

Frequently asked questions

: Yes. Plan around Parkanlage and Kunsterwiesen, where you can see the otters and several other animal areas. Check the entrance slope and any individual access needs with staff before travelling.
: No. The zoo has an entrance charge and captive animals. The nearby reserve has a separate woodland walking route. Set aside extra time if you want to visit both.
: Try another enclosure and return later, or ask staff about that day’s feeding. Avoid calling, tapping or offering food to draw an animal closer.
: The zoo recommends the Tierpark-Heide-Radweg from Rheinsberger Tor in Neuruppin. Treat the ride as an additional part of the day and leave enough energy for the woodland paths.