Victoria View: Probably the most spectacular view of the Baltic Sea

You should be free from vertigo if you visit the Victoria Viewpoint: This small viewing platform in Jasmund National Park hovers above the chalk cliffs and barely has room for a few people. The cliff drops almost vertically to the beach.

But there's no question: Located between the Königsstuhl and the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Sicht viewpoint above sea level, the Victoria-Sicht is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island of Rügen – if not the best.

The name of the Victoria View goes back to Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia. In June 1865, she visited the chalk cliffs of Stubbenkammer with her father-in-law, King Wilhelm I, and gazed out over the Baltic Sea from this spot. The viewing platform was built there in commemoration of the visit. A memorial stone also commemorates the royal travelers.

The Victoria Viewpoint not only offers a stunning view of the Baltic Sea. Above all, the platform offers the best view of the Königsstuhl, the most famous chalk cliff formation on Rügen. From the Königsstuhl itself, you can't really see the chalk cliffs very well. For spectacular Königsstuhl photos—or simply enjoying the view—you should head to the Victoria Viewpoint.

It lies 110 meters above sea level, and the Königsstuhl is only about half a kilometer away as the crow flies. Unlike the Königsstuhl, the platform is free to access.

What can somewhat diminish the enjoyable view is that the viewing platform is small. This means that queues can form there at certain times. In 1865, no one imagined that Victoria View could become one of the island's most popular hotspots.

Victoria Viewpoint can only be reached on foot. By car, drive to the large Hagen parking lot. From there, you can walk or take a shuttle bus to the entrance of the Königsstuhl National Park Center. There is no parking available there.

If you're bringing a bike with you on your vacation, you can cycle there. The distance between the large parking lot and the National Park Center is approximately three kilometers. From the center, it's another 300 meters to Victoria Viewpoint. The path leads through a beech forest. After about ten minutes, you'll reach the viewing platform.

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Instead of driving, you can also travel by public transport. From Sassnitz, buses operated by the Vorpommern-Rügen Transport Company run regularly to the National Park Center. Stops on the so-called harbor bus line 23 include Sassnitz Bus Station and Sassnitz City Harbor. You can also reach Sassnitz by regional train.

Note for all campers: The large Hagen parking lot also has parking spaces for motorhomes.

The route from the large Hagen parking lot is the shortest access to Victoria Viewpoint. But there are even more ways to reach the viewpoint and the famous chalk cliffs of Stubbenkammer. From Lohme, you can reach Victoria Viewpoint via the Hochuferweg (High Riverbank Trail). For almost twelve kilometers, the trail leads you along the high riverbank to the National Park Center toward Königsstuhl. On your hike, you will also pass Victoria Viewpoint.

The entire route from Lohme to Sassnitz—or vice versa—takes three to four hours. Buses run between Lohme and Sassnitz, so you can return to your starting point after your hike. Alternatively, you can hike from Sassnitz only to the National Park Center and Victoria Viewpoint and then take bus 23 back to Sassnitz. This shortens the route somewhat.

When hiking and exploring the Stubbenkammer, please always stay on the paths and keep a safe distance from the cliff edge. Cliff collapses have occurred repeatedly on the chalk cliffs in the past. However, official viewpoints and marked trails are considered safe.

Some vacationers skip the entrance fee to the Königsstuhl National Park Center and "just" enjoy the free view from the Victoria Viewpoint. Want to learn more about the unique landscape of Jasmund National Park and the Stubbenkammer? Embark on a journey through time in the National Park Center's interactive exhibition.

Learn more about the unique beech forests in the cinema. Or explore the national park on a guided tour. To bring visitors closer to the diverse natural world, the center also offers family hikes and themed tours on bats, bird songs, and more. From the Skywalk, you can gaze out over the Baltic Sea.

A visit to the National Park Center is especially interesting if you want to learn more about Rügen's natural landscape. Families with children have a good program, even in bad weather. However, for the view alone, a walk to Victoria Viewpoint is probably enough.

Sure, Victoria Viewpoint is busy during the summer holiday season. Alternatively, you can visit the viewing platform early in the morning or in the evening: If you're lucky, it'll be a bit quieter even during peak season. In general, the view from Victoria Viewpoint is particularly stunning in the morning light or at sunset. But in the evening, remember that you still have the walk back to the top.

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