North Sea Cycle Route (Lower Saxony) - Nordseeküsten-Radweg (Niedersachsen)

The North Sea Cycle Route is part of the more than 6000 km longNorth Sea Cycle Route and also part of the Germany route D 1: North Sea Coast Route. The Lower Saxony section leads through the coastal region of East Frisia, around the Jade Bay and the Butjadingen peninsula, before it leads from the Weser estuary near Bremerhaven to the Elbe estuary near Cuxhaven. Then it goes to Hamburg on the western bank of the Elbe.

On the beach in Wilhemshaven

Route profile

Signpost shortly before Cuxhaven
  • Length: approx. 400 km
  • Signposting: Reasonably good as the "North Sea Cycle Route", alternatively you can also follow the signs "Friesenroute Rad op Patt", the "Tour de Fries" or (in the eastern section) also the signs for the Germany route D1. However, at least in East Friesland you have to reckon with twisted cycle path signs, apparently a kind of fun folk sport for local youth, so that without any map or GPS, at least further inland, you can find yourself at a loss if the signs are obviously misleading.
  • Slopes: With the exception of the dike up and down roads, there are no significant inclines to be recorded. However, the dikes are getting higher and higher ...
  • Path condition: The paths behind the dykes are mostly made of concrete slabs or asphalt, otherwise occasionally gravel paths. If you have to ride on cycle paths alongside the road, these are unfortunately often in poor condition (as of 2016), lots of broken roots or water washes, where holes were repaired, unfortunately, was not leveled, so that there are no hollows, but huckles that Do not shake your bike and cyclist less often. Conclusion: On the dike - whether in front or behind it - it is usually good to drive, on the roads it is rather bad. Diversions due to dike heights: Due to the need to renew or increase the dykes on the German North Sea coast, you have to reckon with the closure of larger dyke sections and thus also the cycle paths close to the dike, but diversions are usually signposted. In 2016, in the area of ​​the Lower Saxony coastline, these were mainly large-scale dike heightening measures on the southeastern bank of the Jade Bay (between Varel and Seefeld, for example).
  • Traffic load: On the dyke maintenance paths and the farm roads behind the dykes, there are naturally few cars, but you have to expect maintenance vehicles and agricultural utility vehicles, which should be given right of way. In the season, the through-roads are mostly very popular with cars, and cycle paths are not always provided, so that more attention is required here.
  • Suitable bike: Touring bike without a special profile, but with a headwind you are happy about a good gear shift.
  • Family suitability: Not all roads are free from car traffic; Children and young people should therefore be experienced in how to behave in traffic. There are (still) restrictions for families with child trailers, many sheep gates and barriers have to be passed, some of which can be too narrow for two-seater child trailers. So you should be prepared for some transfers, but in the course of the dike renewal work, the cycle paths at sheep gates were often renewed and widened, so that it is increasingly easier for carriage drivers to pass them.
  • Inline suitability:: Yes, especially on the renewed dike sections, the concrete slab paths are often in very good condition (as of 2016). However, one should limit oneself to the use of the inner dyke paths, since sheep grazing on the dykes will start again at the beginning of April, and the paths outside the dyke are then heavily polluted with sheep dung.

background

The North Sea Cycle Route in the Lower Saxony section often leads much more inland than directly along the coast. This has the advantage that you can experience the landscapes of the region well, and many sights - including the small port towns, which are often on Sielen and not directly on the dike, as well as the mills - can be experienced while you are on these trails in the immediate vicinity of the dyke sees this above all else: the dyke. A route on the outside of the dike is rarely provided, the path is often led on the inside of the dike, which somewhat restricts the prospects on one side of the dike and on the other side of the agriculturally used hinterland. Every cyclist has to ask himself anew for each stage. whether you prefer the route close to the dike, which may be more monotonous, or the more inland route past tourist attractions. In this travel guide, where the alternatives for Wikivoyage have been tested, the paths on the outside of the dike are also described for everyone who really wants to see something of the sea (if it is there, consider that you are driving here on the Wadden Sea coast ).

The following coasts are circled, the following landscapes are crossed:

The Lower Saxony section ends at the transition to the Hanseatic city Hamburg.

preparation

The stages described here are based on the officially signposted cycle route with all its detours inland. It is of course possible in many places to shorten these routes, mostly by choosing a route close to the coast or driving directly on the dike. Where appropriate alternative routes have already been tested for Wikivoyage, their length is indicated. The suggested stages are between 50 and 75 km and are selected according to suitable overnight stays, but can of course be changed as desired.

In the main season, however, it should be borne in mind that cyclists with overnight stays of only one night are not the guests of choice everywhere, so you should find accommodation in good time, especially if you are looking for cheap accommodation. During the summer holidays it can even happen to cyclists with tents that they are refused at individual campsites; a timely call to the desired campsite can be useful.

getting there

Public transportation

  • Train: Emden or Leer station
  • Ferry from Delfzijl (NL)

By bicycle

Route description with sights

Nieuweschans (NL) - Emden (51 km)

  • Bundles
  • Weener
  • Bingum
  • Ditzum - Take the ferry across the Ems
  • Peccum
Via the connecting lock (Borßumer Canal) you drive into Emden, then turn right into Heilsberger Straße and then left again into Thorner Straße. Continue to the youth hostel, turn right there and past the outdoor pool to the Kesselschleuse, which - provided with barriers - is a bit difficult to cross for trailer drivers. Immediately after the lock, turn left and at the next crossroads right onto the wall. If you want to go to the old town, drive straight ahead here. The cycle path leads completely on the wall around the old town, if you only stay on the track, you won't get to see much of Emden.
At the end of the wall you have to take the cycle path on the street, cross the moat and then turn right again, following the course of the moat out of town. The body of water you are now driving on later becomes Larrelter Tief and accompanies you around the "Friesenhügel", a former garbage dump, before you are led back to a residential area, from where the A31 is crossed, then zigzagging again New development areas.

Emden - Greetsiel (49 km)

In the Larrelt district of Emden, the route is somewhat strange, as the North Sea Cycle Path leads right into the village to the mill, but there are no further signs. If in doubt, just follow the signs to Rysum. Via the Logumer Vorwerk, the route often zigzags, sometimes on commercial or local roads, sometimes on cycle paths alongside the road to Wybelsum, and from there on the cycle path alongside the road to the Sielwerk Knock.
  • Sielwerk Knock
From Sielwerk Knock you can - in contrast to the official track of the North Sea Cycle Route - drive continuously to Greetsiel directly on the outside of the dike. To do this, after crossing the Siel, continue straight ahead instead of following the signs to the right towards the campsite. Regional bike paths are signposted, but even without signposting, it is almost impossible to miss the path when orientating on the dike ... However, those who take this extremely coastal path miss the places on the route (or have to orientate themselves according to the map and always back in time over the dike inland). Alternating paths, occasionally gravel, mostly concreted or asphalted dyke paths.
After the sewer works, the official route leads back inland to Rysum.
  • Lighthouse camping at the mouth of the Ems. At 65.3 meters, the tower is the tallest lighthouse in Germany. The steel lattice tower can be climbed.
Lighthouse in Pilsum
  • Pilsum - here is the yellow-red lighthouse, also known by the East Frisian comedian Otto Waalkes, the bike path leads directly past it (both variants, the official and the alternative route, directly on the dike.
  • Greetsiel - beautiful fishing port, windmills
The official route goes quite winding inland via Upgant-Schott to Marienhafe and then back in a curve to the north and on to Norddeich.
Here, too, there is a recommendation for a "real" coastal cycle path, which is not signposted, but can hardly be missed when orientating on the dike: In Greetsiel you either follow the Störtebeker Canal on the western bank from the harbor, or Follow the side road that branches off at the twin mills to the north, and then turn towards the dike at the earliest opportunity. After crossing the Siel at the transition to the Störtebeker Canal, you can drive continuously to Norddeich on the outside of the dike as well as on the inside. On this route it is only 20 km from Greetsiel on the direct route to Norddeich Mole (instead of 47 km if you drive via Marienhafe), so that the stages Emden - Greetsiel and Greetsiel - Norddeich with about 80 km can also be driven as one stage .

Greetsiel - Norddeich (47 km)

  • Marienhafe

Norddeich - Jever (76 km)

  • Neßmersiel - ferry port to Baltrum
  • Dornumersiel (see also Dornum)
Sculpture in Neuharlingersiel
  • Jever - Castle, historical townscape, well-known brewery (guided tours are offered)

Jever - Varel (78 km)

  • Wilhelmshaven - Maritime Mile, Aquarium, Wadden Sea House, German Naval Museum, Oceanis, Coastal Museum, Piratenamüseum, harbor tours and trips to Heligoland - Bike path now along the Ems-Jade Canal to
  • Sands − Gödens Castle, built in the style of the Dutch Renaissance, with a castle park.
  • Dangast - behind the dike to the sluice at the Vareler Hafen and further inland
  • Varel

Varel - Blexen / Bremerhaven (72 km)

  • Seefeld − Seefeld mill (Restored and functional mill, with regional handicrafts. Country women's market every first Sunday of the month.

Bremerhaven - Otterndorf (74 km)

The paths are mostly public, but sometimes only for residents. They are therefore mostly paved as well.

Wattwagen at Duhnen
→ Connection to the Elbe cycle path
→ Connection to the Weser cycle path
    • Döse (Kugelbake) - Where the Weserradweg ends at the Kurpark and the Elbradweg begins, the route runs south.
    • Ferry port to the islands Neuwerk and Heligoland
→ Connection to the Elbe cycle path, which remains on the North Sea coast from here.
Orchard in the old country

Otterndorf - Stade (61 km)

When we pass the Oste we cycle into the old country, which is known for its gigantic orchards.

  • East with the transporter bridge

Stade - Hamburg (43 km)

trips

References to literature and maps

  • Thorsten Brönner: Bruckmanns Radführer North Sea Coast Cycle Path from Leer to Hamburg. 16 daily stages with maps 1: 75,000.. Munich: Bruckmann, 2012, ISBN 978-3-7654-5574-2 , P. 192. - Price between € 10 and € 15

Web links

Article draftThe main parts of this article are still very short and many parts are still in the drafting phase. If you know anything on the subject be brave and edit and expand it to make a good article. If the article is currently being written to a large extent by other authors, don't be put off and just help.