Along the 160 km Ammerlandroute, cyclists can experience the most beautiful highlights of the Ammerland park landscape first-hand. “A fun cycle with magnificent flowers in bloom” is the motto of the tour.
Route and sights
We begin our circular tour of the Ammerlandroute in Bad Zwischenahn. The 545 hectare lake forms the geographic centre of the district and is an absolute paradise for water sports enthusiasts. From Bad Zwischenahn, the Ammerlandroute leads cyclists (in a clockwise direction) through a scenic landscape dotted with moors and pastures in the municipality of Edewecht. The route continues through the gently rolling pastures of the Auetal municipality to Westerscheps, where two fully functional windmills and the windmill-themed “landscape window” viewing tower are the main attractions. Cyclists then pedal past the lake in Karlshof Nature Reserve and Recreational Park and head towards Apen. From here, the Aper Tief stream and greenery show visitors the way on the Ammerlandroute. The trail carries on to Tange, where visitors can climb the water-themed “landscape window” viewing tower, and then to Vreschen-Bokel, home to the smallest of the region’s ancient churches, Vreschen-Bokel Chapel (built in 1456). The Ammerlandroute then continues on its way to Augustfehn and the canal of the same name. After a few kilometres, cyclists leave this typical fen canal behind and continue their journey through barren moors, sprawling meadows and open fields to Westerstede, an 875-year-old town where visitors are sure to be wowed by the impressive St. Petri Church (built in 1123) with its freestanding bell tower. Countless tree nurseries have put Westerstede on the map as Germany’s rhododendron capital.
The route continues along an old church path that meanders through a scenic forest. In Mollberg, cyclists ride through typical hedgerow-lined paths in Wiefelstede, the most densely wooded region of the Ammerland, which boasts 800 hectares of forests. St. Johannes Church and its separate church tower lie at the heart of this municipality. This is also the site of the hedgerow-themed “landscape window” viewing tower. Rastede Castle and its beautiful grounds (unfortunately not open to visitors), which has undergone many renovations since 1643, is a sight to behold. From here, cyclists head back to where they started in Bad Zwischenahn.
