When planning a stay in Herzlake, nature and history offer different ways to shape your visit. Hahnenmoor lies between Herzlake and Grafeld; St. Nicholas Church, Aseburg and the Kanonenberge burial ground are linked to Herzlake’s history. Trails, the river and historic sites give you a range of ways to spend your time here.
Hahnenmoor, trails and water
The Hahnenmoor nature reserve covers around 620 hectares. Its observation platform is located directly on the HĂĽnenweg long-distance hiking trail and can be reached from the Torfwerk Hahnenmoor information centre. Hahnenmoor is accessible at any time; check local notices for temporary closures. Check route and platform information locally before setting out.
An exhibition at Torfwerk Hahnenmoor tells the story of Hahnenmoor. Parts of the historic production facilities have been preserved, and guided tours are available. Check whether a tour is available before visiting. This lets you explore the moorland and the history of peat extraction as distinct themes.
The Herzlake collective municipality has an extensive network of cycling and hiking trails. Motorised boats are not permitted on the Hase. The Herzlake canoe launch is accessible from the motorhome site: after crossing the Hase from the direction of Dohren, follow the sign marked “Bootsanleger” (boat landing). Check the signs and parking situation locally before heading to the launch.
Church, fortification and mill
St. Nicholas Church is around 700 years old. Aseburg is an early medieval fortification associated with Herzlake’s history. The Kanonenberge burial ground is also one of Herzlake’s historic attractions. Together, these sites offer different perspectives on the past, from an old church building to a fortification and a burial ground.
Aselager Mill is a cap windmill dating from 1860. It can be viewed from the outside at any time, subject to local access conditions. If you include historic buildings in your plans, bear in mind this distinction: at the mill, visiting is expressly limited to the exterior.
In the wider Emsland destination
In the wider Emsland destination, Hümmling Nature Park covers around 580 square kilometres in the north-east of the district. Cycling and hiking trails lead through the park, past historic sites, megalithic tombs and Clemenswerth Palace; information stations along the trails provide additional information. The Theikenmeer Loop is one of the nature park’s trails that meets the German Hiking Association’s quality criteria. Check this classification before planning, as quality ratings can change.
The Kranichpfad offers a set distance: it runs for around 2.5 kilometres into Theikenmeer Nature Reserve; the return journey follows the same route, making around 5 kilometres in total. The trail has an observation platform with panoramic views of Theikenmeer Lake and the Wehmer Dose moorland, as well as a birdwatching hut on the lakeshore. The distance and return route make it easy to plan the walk, without turning it into a circular route.
For a longer cycling trip, the Emsland Route in the Emsland region covers 395 kilometres. This circular route passes through five landscapes: Northern Ems Valley, Hümmling, Bourtanger Moor, Hasetal and Southern Emsland. The route connects 19 towns; towns in the Emsland along the route can serve as starting and finishing points. It is very well signposted, mostly flat, paved and traffic-free, and is particularly suitable for beginners and families with children. This makes it easier to choose between a single hiking trail and a regional cycling route based on the route’s character and the time available.
Discover more destinations: Dersum, Heede, Meppen, Fresenburg, Stavern, Dohren, Twist, Dörpen.
Back to the wider travel overview: Emsland.
