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The wonderful Heathlands

Southern Heath Nature Park

Experience nature at its most pure and forget about everyday life!

 Just north of Celle is the beginning of the Southern Heath Nature Park (Südheide). Where, centuries ago barren heathlands would have extended far into the horizon, today the visitor sees a more richly varied fertile landscape. Stretching across an area of about 480 km², there are extensive forests, some of the largest in Lower Saxony, interspersed with large swathes of heather, moors and natural stream valleys interspersed with little heather-brooks. 

 

On the road on a bicycle through the Southern Heath

Today areas such as Hermannsburg, Müden and Fassberg, Unterlüss and Eschede all belong within the boundaries of the nature park.  The tranquility and seclusion of the landscape offer many advantages, especially for rare animal species and those which need an undisturbed habitat. Cranes and black storks, otters and kingfisher, river pearl mussel and the sand lizard feel at home in the Southern Heath Nature Park. The area around the natural heather-brook, the Heidebach Lutter in the south of the park for example, is home to over 160 endangered plants and animal species. The peace and quiet also has advantages for those seeking relaxation: hiking, cycling or horse riding through the well-signposted network of trails, or perhaps a canoe tour on the Örtze, allow you to experience nature at its most pure and forget about everyday life.

 

The old ‘Heidehöfe’, traditional buildings of the region, are also still there under the big oaks: especially in Schmarbeck, Müden (Örtze), in Oldendorf, Eversen and Marwede, where the visitor encounters traces of life from centuries past. Typical heathland churches can be found in Müden (Örtze) and in Eldingen.

 

The heathland that gave the nature park its name is not only attractive during the peak season when the heather blooms.  Especially in autumn and winter, with its melancholy beauty on foggy days and hoar frosts. Many a poet and painter has found inspiration here...

 

This might interest you

When does the heather bloom on the Lüneburg Heath?

The peak season for heather blossom in the Lüneburg Heath begins around the beginning of August and ends around mid-September. As a rule of thumb, this is generally: 08.08. until 09.09.

Live information about the status of the heather blossom can be seen on the Heather Blossom Barometer, from Lüneburger Heide GmbH.

To the Heather Blossom Barometer (German language)
Where are the closest heather areas?

From Celle, you drive about 25 kilometres to the Meißendorfer Heathlands in Winsen (Aller).

Where can I go walking and hiking in the Southern Heath Nature Park?
  • Lönsstein/Wietzerberg - L 240 between Hermannsburg and Müden (Örtze), from the end of Müden (Örtze) approx. 1.5 km on the right-hand side | Circular hiking tip: short route with 2.5 km, long route with 7 km | Infrastructure: car park for cars and coaches, kiosk, toilets
  • Wacholderwald Schmarbeck - L 280 from Müden (Örtze) in the direction of Unterlüß, shortly after Hankenbostel turn left in the direction of Schmarbeck and Wacholderwald | Tip for a circular walk: short route with 2 km, long route with 3 km | Infrastructure: car park for cars and coaches, mobile WC
  • Gerdehaus - L 280 coming from Müden (Örtze) in the direction of Unterlüß, after approx. 6 km in Gerdehaus turn right | Tip for a circular walk: short route with 3 km, long route with 5 km | Infrastructure: car park for cars and coaches, mobile WC, barbecue area, playground
  • Kieselgur circular hiking trail - L 280 coming from Müden (Örtze) in the direction of Unterlüß, after approx. 8.5 km turn right in Oberohe | Circular hiking tip: Short route with 3.5 km, long route with 5 km | Infrastructure: Parking for cars and coaches, mobile WC
  • Misselhorn/Schafstall - K 17 from Hermannsburg to Unterlüß, approx. 1.5 km after leaving Hermannsburg turn right | Circular hiking tip: 7.5 km | Infrastructure: Car park for cars and coaches, mobile WC in summer
  • Tiefental - L 281 Oldendorf towards Eschede, approx. 3 km after the village take the first turning on the left, turn right at the refuge, after approx. 1 km you will reach the hikers' car park | Tip for circular walks: different lengths of trail from 2 to 7 km | Infrastructure: car park (Attention: poor trail! gravel road!)
  • Angelbecks Teich - L 281 from Oldendorf in the direction of Eschede, approx. 3 km after Oldendorf turn right in the direction of Dehningshof/Hof Severloh, after 200 m turn left to the car park | Tip for circular walks: short walks of 1-2 km | Infrastructure: car park for cars
Inform here
Where can I go on a horse and carriage ride?