exciting
idyllic
Our favourite spots in the countryside
Places and activities for outdoor delights
Out and about in the nature around Stade: whether in bright sunshine or bundled up when it’s cooler, there is hardly anything better than spending your free time outdoors with your family, partner, friends or dog. Be it forests, fields, lakes, rivers or heathlands, Stade and the adjacent regions have all kinds of hidden gems to offer in the great outdoors.
Please note that many of the trails described lead through nature reserves. The rule here is “experience nature without disturbing it”: Please stay on the paths and keep dogs on a leash.
Cycle tour from Stade to the Alte Land and back
From the city centre, the 30-kilometre tour first leads to lake Horstsee and then in the direction of Klein-Thun and Ottenbeck. Cycle along the Galloway pastures and the airfield to Agathenburg Castle for your first break. The tour continues towards the Elbe. On the route to Bachenbrook, orchards line the path to both sides as you reach an idyllic nature trail. Away from traffic, you pass Hollern-Twielenfleth and later the Hollerner Moorwettern back to Stade. Eventually, you return to the starting point along the harbours Holzhafen and Stadthafen and the Burggraben canal.
Walks along the Galloway pastures and the airfield
As a preservation and development project for the diverse landscape of the former military training area in Stade-Ottenbeck, 30 Galloway cattle graze the 60 hectares of woodland and pastureland all year round. Away from the traffic noise, a paved sandy path meanders along the cattle pastures and, at the far end of the grounds, along the runway of the airfield. A small hill offers a sweeping view over the pastures and the airfield.
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Walks through "Hohes Moor"
Between Stade and Bremervörde in the Elbe-Weser Triangle, the nature reserve “Hohes Moor” offers great opportunities to explore. What was once a purely an ombrotrophic bog has developed over the years into a mosaic of rhynes, peat-cuttings, raised bogs and marshland forests as a result of peat extraction and grazing. Two shallow lakes are still preserved. The raised bog provides a habitat for a wide variety of animals and plants and offers plenty to discover on a walk.
Jogging in the Barger Heide
The Barger Heide, a heath nature reserve, is located near the Stade districts of Barge and Groß Thun. The approximately 40-hectare area enchants visitors with its tranquil, somewhat hilly landscape and the sweeping views across the heathland. It is particularly picturesque here in late summer, when the heathland is transformed into a sea of purple flowers. It is not far from the Barger Heide to the Schwingetal and a detour there is well worthwhile.
Cycling in the Schwingetal
The Schwingetal is a nature reserve that stretches along both sides of the B73 road from Stade to Mulsum along the course of the Schwinge river. The view of lush green meadows, gravelled paths that are easy to cycle on and a wide variety of flora and fauna invite you to explore and discover.
Sports and hikes in Harsefeld
The Auetal combines wide meadows with shady forest paths and a picturesque bridge landscape. With a bit of luck, you may encounter otters and kingfishers there. The forest fitness trail at Harsefeld’s town exit in the direction of Stade offers a full-body workout with various outdoor sports equipment over approx. 2.5 kilometres. The shady trees in summer, the soft forest floor for running and the opportunity to experience nature while exercising are particularly pleasant.
A trip to Kehdingen
Kehdingen makes the heart of nature lovers beat faster. The landscape is characterised by green meadows, large orchards, marshes and moorlands and long white sandy beaches on the Elbe island of Krautsand. The small towns are characterised by their historic charm and pretty farmhouses. Kehdingen is always worth a visit, both by bike and on foot.
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Dog walk to the Hagen Mühlenteich
Between Stade-Hagen and the small village of Hagel you will find the Mühlenteich, mill pond, which is much larger than you would imagine a pond to be. The Mühlenteich is surrounded by green fields and the riverbed of the Steinbeck stream by a small forest is also not far away. The varied landscape is perfect for long walks or jogging.
Interesting facts from the nature conservation office
In recent years, the nature conservation office of the district of Stade has produced folding maps of a number of selected nature and landscape conservation areas.
They provide suggestions for walks and experiences in nature and supplement some of our tips with background information and tour suggestions. Further brochures and information can be found on the Stade district website.
Download the information cards
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