Timmel: Canoe Trips, Equestrian Sports and Maritime History

If you are looking for a hotel in Timmel, considering your planned activities can help you narrow down your options: waterways, equestrian sports, walks and the town’s history offer different focal points. The Timmeler Meer is ideal for trips on the water; Timmel also has local events and maritime history to explore. This lets you tailor your search to the topics that interest you during your trip.

Waterways and Canoe Trips

The Timmeler Meer covers 25 hectares and has an average depth of 9 metres. From the Timmeler Meer, boaters can travel along the Ems to the North Sea. One specific route goes from Timmel to Rorichum via the Rorichumer Tief: this canoe trip, which is not affected by the tides, starts at the landing stage of the Timmel Paddel & Pedal station and crosses the Timmeler Meer. It is about 13.3 kilometres long and takes approximately three hours.

At the Paddel & Pedal station, you can hire single and double kayaks as well as canoes for three, four and ten people. Availability of the rental service may vary by season, so check before your visit. The MS Gretje offers a different kind of trip: the passenger vessel operates on the Timmeler Meer and the Fehntjer Tief. On excursions, passengers can learn about the history of Großefehn and peat shipping.

On Foot, on Horseback and in the Park

For a guided tour of the town, the Großefehn Tourist Information Office offers a Historical Village Walk through Timmel lasting around two hours. The meeting point is the village square; ask for dates and prices. The durations are easy to compare: the canoe trip takes approximately three hours, while the village walk takes around two. You can factor the time required for these two activities into your plans.

The health resorts of Timmel and Westgroßefehn have four walking routes of varying lengths. Depending on the route, some sections can be used with a walking frame or wheelchair, or a signposted accessible alternative route is available. Check the current route conditions before setting off. The Equestrian Tourism Centre in Timmel offers dressage and show-jumping lessons for riders of all ability levels. Individual and group lessons, as well as courses, are held regularly.

The multi-generational park on the Timmeler Meer is an accessible, inclusive playground for people with and without disabilities. It adds another specific place to visit in Timmel alongside water activities and walking routes.

Village Life and Maritime History

The village square hosts an annual Maypole celebration and the traditional Ostereierlünsen Easter egg game. During the season, regular baking days are also held there. If you want to plan your visit around one of these events, ask for the relevant date.

The School of Navigation was founded in Timmel in 1846. The Old School of Navigation is a preserved maritime heritage building associated with the school; the present building was constructed in 1862. St Peter and St Paul’s Church also preserves a local memorial: a commemorative plaque for Jonas Eilers hangs there and bears the dates 1768–1778.

Getting There and More to Explore in Großefehn

From exit 7 of the A31, marked “Neermoor / Timmel,” follow the L914 country road for about seven kilometres to the entrance to Timmel. Check current road conditions before setting off.

The wider destination of Großefehn offers more ways to explore regional history: of the 19 windmills that once stood there, five thatched gallery Dutch mills are still operational. The “Eiland” Fehn Museum in Westgroßefehn explores the transformation from raised bog to today’s cultural landscape, as well as the history of sailing in the East Frisian Fehn region.

Discover more destinations: Strackholt.

Back to the main travel overview: Großefehn.