The district of Rotenburg (Wümme) at a glance

Deceleration between Bremen and Hamburg

The area around Rotenburg (Wümme), "northwards" to Bremervörde, is rural. Beautiful villages with old farmsteads are not the exception, but the rule. The people are perhaps a little taciturn, so the word "moin", which means "hello", is enough to greet them. But they are extremely warm and open. The many local history houses tell of people's attachment to their places. There is so much to discover here that there is no need for excursions during a vacation. But if you want more variety - it's not far away:

In addition to the cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Hanover with their many sights and cultural offerings, the surrounding regions are also worth a trip. The North Sea in Cuxhaven is not far away, a day by the sea is something wonderful. The Alte Land with its huge orchards, the Lüneburg Heath with its purple sea of flowers, the Teufelsmoor with the artists' village of Worpswede, the Heidepark Soltau ... And at the end, there are many cozy accommodations and quaint pubs to round off the day in our region.

You can find out more in our digital travel guide, the free web-based app.

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Be inspired by our following topics - from time-outs to hiking trails.

Note: The texts on this page have been automatically translated. 

Country & People

Typically North German!

Just want to get out into the countryside? If that's what you're looking for, our vacation and leisure region is just the place for you. The diverse natural and cultural landscape between mystical upland moors, wide geest ridges, lots of forest and water has its charm at any time of year: even in winter, when it rains more than it snows here. But as we all know, there is no such thing as "dirty weather" in the north. Clothing is simply adapted accordingly.

Picturesque villages with brick and half-timbered farms, windmills and watermills as well as small churches make the rural idyll almost perfect. If that's too boring for you, you can always visit the surrounding bustling cities. Hamburg and Bremen are just a stone's throw away.

The best way to explore our region is on foot or by bike. If you're lucky, you might come across a two-legged inhabitant on your tour of discovery, as well as many "black and colorful" four-legged friends (also known as cows). But beware: we northern Germans seem a little reserved at first. But we are very open and warm people. You'll soon realize this when you have a "Klönschnack" - or "conversation" in High German. As part of our lively club culture and numerous cultural events, we really come out of our shells. Guests are always very welcome!

NORDPFADE hiking region

Flat - wide - unique!

Do you immediately think of mountains when you think of hiking? That will certainly change once you get to know our gently undulating hiking region. Word has got around that our northern German landscape is a great place to hike: in 2021, the NORDPFAD "Dör't Moor" won the title of "Germany's most beautiful hiking trail" in the day trip category in a public vote.

A total of 24 NORDPFADE, well-signposted and marked circular hiking trails between 5 and 32 km long, are waiting to be discovered. With us, the goal is not the summit, but the path. Ideal for taking in the surroundings in peace and quiet and letting your gaze wander into the distance from time to time. A hike on the NORDPFADEN is not just an experience in summer, but at any time of year.

In spring and fall, you may be lucky enough to hear the loud trumpeting of the cranes. In late summer, the heath enchants with its sea of purple flowers. And in winter, the frost-covered meadows offer a peaceful atmosphere in which to relax.

Get on your bike

A country tour through the region

Our region is just a stone's throw from Hamburg or Bremen by train. Around 30 signposted themed routes take you through forests and meadows, along rivers and streams, through lively villages and bustling small towns, to historic buildings and hidden gems. "Star cyclists" can set off on several routes from one location. The 1,800 km long, signposted cycle path network also offers you the opportunity to plan individual tours. Please note that the entire cycle network, including new themed routes, will be revised by 2027.

Since the end of 2024, there have been nine road bike tours, from the shorter Feierabendrunde to the Königsschleife.

Various long-distance cycle routes are available for trips lasting several days. The 150 km Hamburg-Bremen long-distance cycle route and the 250 km Wümme cycle route, which leads from Lüneburg Heath to Bremen Vegesack, are among the best known. Part of the Mönchsweg also runs through our district.

Along the way, vacation accommodation, inns, restaurants, cafés and dairy restaurants invite you to take a break.

Many of our farm stores and vending machines also offer tasty snacks. Of course, we also have bike-friendly accommodation.

Our raised bogs

A precious treasure worth protecting

Our raised bog region, the former 500 square meter Teufelsmoor, was created during the last ice age when the ice melted and water accumulated in the lowlands. Typical moor plants settled here, such as peat moss. They can absorb and store huge quantities of water like a sponge. Under these conditions, falling seeds, leaves and wood hardly decomposed and were deposited in layers on the ground. Over thousands of years, a peat layer up to ten meters thick formed.

In just a few centuries, man shaped a different landscape. From 1751, the bog commissioner Jürgen Christian Findorff (*22.02.1720 - † 31.07.1792) began to drain and excavate large areas of the swampy Elbe-Weser region. He was commissioned by the Elector of Hanover to create new settlement areas. Drainage canals were constructed, roads, farms and the first settlements were built.

People settled and lived from peat extraction and sale. The lowest layer of peat, the "black peat", was an important fuel in those days. It was cut by hand, dried and shipped to Bremen on peat barges or burned in the local glassworks and brickworks. Since the 20th century, peat has been extracted as a substrate for cultivated plants and vegetables. No longer by hand, but by machine.

Today, we are aware of the importance of peatlands for climate and species protection. Many moors have therefore been placed under nature protection. Find out more about this precious habitat and visit four of our remaining raised bogs.

Off to the outdoors

Experiencing nature on land and water

Did you know that a change of scenery is more relaxing than a day at home? Just a few hours in nature are said to be enough to reduce stress and strengthen your immune system. A conscious break from everyday life sometimes works wonders to clear your head and recharge your batteries.

All the more reason to visit our region, because our wealth is nature. You can enjoy it during a hiking, cycling, canoeing or other activity. Take your family or friends with you.

The Bremervörde Nature and Adventure Park or the country park in Lauenbrück are just the thing for a family break. Children can also let off steam at the Farven water and play park and the "KITO" indoor playground in Rotenburg.

If you want to experience something with your gang, Kliemannsland in Rüspel is waiting for you. There's always something going on at the weekend. In addition to the escape room, mini golf course and skate park, you can drive electric cars or build something creative with XXL building blocks.

Water rats get their money's worth in our indoor and outdoor pools. Our largest swimming pool with eleven indoor and outdoor pools and a small but excellent spa and sauna area is the Ronolulu adventure pool in Rotenburg.

There are many ways to relax! We think the best way is "offline" and leads to our region.

Love of home

Historic gems and local events

When our guests are asked what they love about the region, they often mention the beautiful villages with their pretty churches and large half-timbered courtyards.

Some half-timbered ensembles have been converted into heritage houses and are home to local history treasures. They also serve as village meeting places and are therefore anything but "oll" (old). In addition to club meetings, theater and cinema performances, exhibitions and concerts take place here. Impressive windmills and picturesque watermills also bear witness to the history of the area.

Customs and traditions are preserved with a great deal of passion and love for the region. A good example of this are the village's traditional shooting festivals and harvest processions, where people traditionally celebrate and "geschwoft" (dance closely together).

We are particularly proud of our blue print. Did you know that UNESCO has declared this ancient craft an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity"? You can visit a historic workshop and a modern permanent exhibition on blueprinting at the Scheeßel local history museum.

Speaking of Scheeßel: the largest and best-known event, the Hurricane Festival, attracts 75,000 visitors. There are also many smaller music festivals and other local events. There is always something going on here.

Country time-out

For connoisseurs and farm adventurers

When all you see on the horizon is a lot of grassland, individual farms and a lot of sky, when there are more deer and cattle than people outside and when you hear nothing but birdsong or a tractor - then you have arrived in the "flat" (flat) countryside.

In many places there are egg, potato and jam stands, milk filling stations, fruit and flower picking fields and, of course, farm stores where you can buy regional delicacies as well as beautiful home and garden decorations.

There are also cozy farm cafés and milking huts, dairy restaurants, country hotels and inns to stop off at. A day trip to the countryside is like a break from everyday life. Just let yourself drift and enjoy the countryside with its idyllic villages and farms.

Some farms, as well as other food producers, are happy to give visitors an insight into their work. They offer guided tours, workshops or seminars for groups of children and adults.

Our vacation farms are ideal for a longer stay with the whole family. The children can "slide around" all day and learn about everyday life on the farm at the same time.

Simply delicious

Feasting with pleasure

Sweet or savory? In our region you will find culinary delights in all variations. Even the combination of ice cream and salt is available. That's what our young chefs from the gastronomy scene do. Yummy!

Of course, our restaurants and inns also serve traditional dishes. Hearty dishes such as wedding soup, fried potatoes with Knipp or schnitzel variations are firmly anchored on many menus.

Depending on the season, kale, asparagus, matjes, mushrooms and game are also served. For dessert, the North German classic "Rote Grütze mit Vanillesoße" (red fruit jelly with vanilla sauce) or sweets with strawberries are a must. Speaking of sweets: visit our cafés, farm cafés and Melkhüs. Whether it's "Bodderkoken" (butter cake) from the tray or a cake dream with meringue, the selection of home-baked cakes and tarts is huge. And a delicious specialty coffee or tea from the pot, how does that sound? Dreamlike, isn't it?

Pleasant dreams

Star comfort and camping happiness

In our "region of love", beautiful accommodation is of course a must. And we have plenty of them: you can let yourself be pampered in our comfortable hotels. The day starts with a sumptuous breakfast buffet and ends with a delicious dinner in the restaurant.

The small but fine private hotels and guesthouses with their very personal touch are more intimate and individual. Our cozy vacation homes and apartments are particularly suitable for late risers who like to miss the hotel breakfast or families with children. You can simply have breakfast in your pyjamas - wonderful! The little ones will be particularly happy if the vacation accommodation is a farm, where the adventure begins straight after breakfast.

Even more relaxed is a stay on a camping or motorhome site in the open air. Whether in a tent or caravan, nowhere are you closer to nature than when camping. The fresh air kick is free of charge.

Map - the district at a glance

Our tip: Click on the map to make it larger and easier to read!

Image film

Active time out in the Rotenburg (Wümme) district vacation and leisure region

You can go hiking on foot, by bike or on the water. But there are so many more options for exciting and relaxing leisure activities: take a look!