Holtgast – Discover nature and village history

When looking for a hotel in Holtgast, two themes offer clear guidance in choosing a destination: the nature reserve, which includes areas in Holtgast, and the Dörpmuseum in the local village community centre. There are also walking and cycling opportunities in the wider Esens-Bensersiel area. This makes it easy to distinguish what is directly associated with Holtgast from activities that extend the regional scope.

Nature reserve and wet meadows

The Ochsenweide Schafhauser Wald and Wet Meadows near Esens Nature Reserve includes areas in Holtgast, Dunum, Moorweg, Stedesdorf and the town of Esens. Its component areas are named as Schafhauser Wald, Ochsenweide, Lange Werde and the wet meadows near Esens. Several landscape names and municipal areas are therefore brought together in one protected area; Holtgast is part of its geographical extent.

The wet meadows near Esens include peat grassland, reed beds, mat-grass swards and purple moor-grass meadows. These terms describe different habitat types and give this section a specific natural history profile. The four types mentioned belong to the wet meadows near Esens, while Schafhauser Wald, Ochsenweide and Lange Werde are listed as other component areas of the nature reserve. If you are interested in landscape and nature conservation, this offers a clearly defined focus for planning your trip.

Walking and cycling in the wider area

The wider Esens-Bensersiel area also offers options for days spent walking and cycling. The final section of the East Frisia Hiking Trail runs from Esens along the dyke towards Bensersiel. Coastal walks, mudflat hikes and cycling tours through the coastal landscape are also offered in the same regional area. Activities range from a specific section of a hiking trail to various ways of experiencing the coastal landscape.

The cycling network in Bensersiel includes dyke tours, rides to neighbouring sluice towns and routes through the East Frisian hinterland. Cycling maps, personalised route tips and other suggestions are available at the tourist information offices in the Strandportal Bensersiel and in Esens. Ask for the latest information about these options before your visit.

Dörpmuseum and local information

The small Dörpmuseum is located in the Haltestelle, the village community centre in Holtgast, and displays exhibits from the everyday life of the Holtgast village community. The tourist information office is also in the Haltestelle; there is a shelter for cycle tourists on the grounds. If a museum visit or a visit to the tourist information office is part of your plans, check the current access arrangements in advance. You should also check the condition of the shelter before using it on site.

Wittmund as a broader destination

The broader destination of Wittmund offers its own cultural and natural attractions to help you plan your visit. The Peldemühle was built in 1741 for hulling barley, together with a residential building and barn; it is the oldest single-storey gallery Dutch windmill in north-west Germany. Another highlight is Wittmund Forest: it covers more than 700 hectares and has several hiking trails and paths for woodland walks and cycling tours.

Wittmund Forest is also home to a circular forest bog, described as a glacial Pingo ruin, with a viewing platform and bench. The mill and the forest offer different points of interest within the broader destination of Wittmund: the history of a mill on the one hand, and forest paths and a landform described as a Pingo ruin on the other.

Discover more destinations

Neuschoo, Eversmeer, Esens, Utarp, Westerholt, Dunum, Friedeburg, Ochtersum

Back to the main travel overview: Wittmund.