Springe between forest, wildlife and history

Springe offers several different ways to plan a trip: Saupark combines woodland with a long enclosure, the Wisentgehege is home to several animal species, and skiing is possible when there is snow. The area also bears traces of medieval and later architectural history. The Steinhuder Meer lies within the wider travel destination of the Hanover Region; it is the largest inland body of water in northwestern Germany. As a body of water, it differs in landscape from the woodland of Saupark.

Forest and winter sports

Saupark Springe is a woodland area enclosed by a wall that is 16 kilometres long and two metres high. The two measurements describe different features of the same enclosure: 16 kilometres is its length, and two metres is its height. The forest character and a precisely measured wall are thus the two defining aspects of this place. For your trip, this offers a nature-focused experience with a built element, distinct from the wildlife at the Wisentgehege and the museum’s architectural history.

When there is snow in winter, skiing is possible in Springe. When snow conditions allow, four small ski lifts and several cross-country ski trails provide opportunities for skiing in Springe; the ski area is described as the northernmost in Lower Saxony. As this depends on snow, check current snow conditions and lift operations before planning a specific winter trip.

Wisentgehege and bus connections

The Wisentgehege Springe is home to European bison, Przewalski’s wild horses, brown bears, otters and wolves. The list of species brings the wildlife focus to life and sets it apart from skiing, which explicitly depends on snow. Bus routes 382 and 385 are also relevant when planning your trip within the Hanover Region: they serve the entrance to the Wisentgehege Springe and the Abzweig Wisentgehege bus stop, respectively. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Museum auf dem Burghof

The Museum auf dem Burghof in Springe stands on the site of a medieval moated castle built by the Counts of Hallermunt. The castle connection describes the site’s history; the exhibition space is located in the granary and coach house of the later estate. Together, the two buildings provide around 2,000 square metres of exhibition space across three floors. This distinguishes the site’s medieval past from the estate buildings that came later as two historical layers.

A rule from the days of earlier forest use

The Holzleserin (wood gatherer) at the Marienbrunnen fountain recalls an old rule in the state forest: people could gather only as much deadwood as one person could carry in a Kiepe. This carrying basket makes the limit clear in terms of what one person could bear. Unlike the moated castle and estate buildings, the figure points to a specific rule governing earlier use of the forest.

Discover more destinations: Dedenhausen, Barsinghausen, Isernhagen Kircher Bauerschaft, Sehnde, Evensen, Hemmingen, Isernhagen, Mardorf.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Hanover Region.