Großheide between moorland, cycling routes and Fehn culture

Großheide offers plenty to explore on a trip focused on moorland, cycling and the history of the Fehn settlements. If you’re looking for a hotel in Großheide, these themes can help guide your trip planning, from the open landscape and a designated circular route to a museum, canal and historic buildings.

Landscape and nature conservation

Großheide borders the Wadden Sea Nature Reserve to the north. The Ewiges Meer, Großes Moor bei Aurich Nature Reserve also extends into Großheide; the raised bog of Ewiges Meer lies south of the town. The landscape includes raised-bog settlements, long canals, meadows and the characteristic open expanses of East Frisia. Protected areas and open cultural landscapes offer different perspectives on the surrounding area. Check local access rules before visiting a nature reserve.

Cycling in the moorland

Großheide has an extensive network of cycle paths suitable for touring cyclists. One specific route is the Ewiges Meer Route: it passes through Großheide and is a 32-kilometre circular tour through the raised-bog region. Its length gives you a clear reference point when planning a bike ride. The route and cycle-path network are both useful considerations if you’d like to plan your stay around cycling trips.

Museum, canals and Fehn culture

In Berumerfehn, the Forest and Moor Museum is housed in a former village school building. The building is on the edge of the raised bog, next to Berumerfehner Forest. The museum explains the raised-bog landscape, its animal and plant life, and the cultivation of the bog. Here, the history of a former school building comes together with the themes of the surrounding landscape. Guided tours and educational programs for school classes and groups are available by prior arrangement, so plan such visits in advance.

The Berumerfehner Canal also tells the story of how the landscape was used: it was built from 1794 onward to transport peat north by water. The historic peat boat Selika offers trips from Mittelwieke; check locally for sailing days and departure times. Pedal boats can be rented next to the Selika landing stage. This gives you two different ways to get out on the water: a trip on the historic peat boat or a pedal-boat rental.

Berumerfehn is also home to the Schoof Mill, a 20.5-metre-high gallery Dutch windmill. It was moved from Carolinensiel to Berumerfehn. The Kompaniehaus adds another chapter to the history of these sites: it was built in 1830 as a rest house for members of the Norder Fehn Society. This listed building is associated with a hotel and restaurant.

More to explore in the wider Aurich destination

In the wider Aurich destination, the Fehntjer Tief Nature Conservation Station works to preserve the natural and cultural landscape of Fehntjer Tief. It is also an off-campus environmental education center and a place for community events and public outreach. In spring and summer, school students and other visitors can experience the plant and bird life of the wet meadows on tours on foot or by bicycle. The listed Gulfhaus at the station is a typical East Frisian farmhouse dating from 1843.

When choosing a hotel in Großheide, you can start by considering which themes matter most for your stay. Then check the details of each hotel offer before booking.

Discover more destinations: Arle, Berumerfehn, Hage, Wiesmoor, Marienhafe, Wirdum, Hagermarsch, Lütetsburg.

Back to the wider travel overview: Aurich.