Kirchwege und Zwischenahner Meer

The route has been one of the most popular circular routes in Ammerland for years. This is somewhat surprising, as the three long church paths are narrow stretches that can sometimes complicate oncoming traffic. In addition, the church paths consist of unpaved paths with a water-bound surface and are not quite as comfortable to ride on as asphalt. However, the church paths, from Gießelhorst to Westerstede, around the Zwischenahner Meer, and from Torsholt through the Südhölz, offer a unique landscape experience with natural rain protection from the flanking trees.

Highlights:  

• Landscape window Rhododendron (Gießelhorst): At the historic Gießelhorst church path there is the lookout tower of a Rhodo queen, surrounded by rhododendrons up to ten meters high.
• On 12,000 square meters stretches the Lorenz von Ehren Garden, which combines unique solitary trees with artfully trimmed ornamental shrubs.
• Park der Gärten (Bad Zwischenahn): The largest model garden complex in Germany with over 90 themed gardens and plant collections, and thus the showcase of the Ammerland tree nurseries.
• Elmendorf Castle (Dreibergen) is a vanished motte-and-bailey castle in the Dreibergen nature reserve on the northern shore of the Zwischenahner Meer. A listening station on site provides information about the castle’s history.
• The open-air museum Bad Zwischenahn was built in 1909 and 1910 from two former half-timbered houses. The 17 houses and outbuildings integrate perfectly into the spa park. (Listening station at the old farmhouse)
• According to legend, treasures are buried in the hills at Burgplatz Mansingen (Westerstede), whose recovery has so far not succeeded. According to the tradition, the devil is involved, who always lets the treasure chest fall into the depths just before recovery. (Listening station)