Heede: Nature, cycling routes and “Heeder See in Flammen”

If you’re looking for a hotel in Heede, the reason for your trip can help you decide where to stay: would you like to plan walks and explore the moorland, follow a cycling route, or time your stay to coincide with “Heeder See in Flammen”? Heede brings together natural landscapes, cycling routes and an annual event in August. The wider Emsland region offers additional nature and cultural attractions.

Nature in Heede: the Achterberge and moorland

The Heeder Achterberge are a nature reserve and an old branch of the Ems. Their banks range from meadows to woodland, and the varied stretches of water include shallow areas with water lily beds, deeper spots and tree-covered islands. This means you’ll find a variety of waterside and aquatic habitats there. The Heeder Achterberge are ideal for walks and longer explorations. The Heeder Moor offers a different focus: a well-maintained path runs around almost the entire moor. If you’re planning to follow this path, check local updates on conditions before setting out.

Cycling routes with different connections to the town

The cycling routes also differ in how they pass through Heede. The EmsRadweg runs directly through Heede and stretches from the Ems springs to the North Sea. The Dortmund-Ems Canal Route runs along the Ems in Heede; it is signposted as the Dortmund-Ems Canal Cycle Route. The Emsland Route passes through the town centre. The routes therefore offer different points of reference: the EmsRadweg has named starting and end points, the canal route follows the Ems, and the Emsland Route passes through the town centre. Check current route conditions before your trip.

An annual event in August

“Heeder See in Flammen” has been held every year on the first Saturday in August since 1994. If you’re planning to travel to Heede for the event, check the current event packages in advance. This will help you include the annual event in your travel plans.

The wider Emsland region

Hümmling Nature Park covers around 580 square kilometres in the northeast of the Emsland district. Cycling and walking trails, with information points along the way, pass historic sites, megalithic tombs and Clemenswerth Palace. The Theikenmeer Loop is one of the nature park’s trails that meets the quality criteria of the German Hiking Association. The Kranichpfad leads about 2.5 kilometres into the Theikenmeer nature reserve; the return journey follows the same route, making the total walking distance about five kilometres. The Kranichpfad has a viewing platform with panoramic views of Lake Theikenmeer and the moorland of Wehmer Dose, as well as a birdwatching shelter on the lakeshore.

The Emsland Route is a 395-kilometre circular route through the landscapes of the Northern Ems Valley, Hümmling, Bourtanger Moor, Hasetal and Southern Emsland. It connects 19 towns; towns in the Emsland along the route can serve as starting and finishing points. The route is very well signposted, mostly flat, paved and traffic-free, and is particularly suitable for beginners and families with children. Clemenswerth Palace also adds to the regional overview: the palace gardens cover 42 hectares and include the Gloriette, the garden pavilion of Elector Clemens August.

Discover more destinations: Papenburg, Holte, Rhede, Werlte, Haselünne, Sögel, Freren, Twist.

Go to the regional travel overview: Emsland.