Hillerse lies on the Oker, which winds along the municipality. Several distinct points of interest can help you plan your trip: a protected stretch of the Oker Valley, a paddling route, a cycling loop and individual stops in the village. If you are looking for accommodation, first consider whether you want to focus on Hillerse, its river and local attractions, or also include destinations in the wider Gifhorn travel region.
The Oker, protected area and canoe trips
The Okeraue near Volkse protected area lies between Hillerse and Meinersen. It covers a largely natural stretch of the Oker Valley and is an important breeding habitat for birds. The river itself meanders along the municipality; if you are looking for protected landscapes and bird habitats, this is a specific place to connect with nature.
Canoeists will find a landing point and an overnight stop on the Oker in Hillerse. A paddling route can start here and covers 11 kilometres to the boathouse in Seershausen. The combination of a starting point and a named destination helps you fit this paddling section into your travel plans. Before setting off, check the current route and whether the landing point and overnight stop are available for use.
Cycling route and stops in the village
The Tankorte Okeraue Loop from Hillerse is about 25 kilometres long and connects several designated stops. Unlike the paddling route, which ends in Seershausen, it is named as a loop starting from Hillerse. This allows you to compare two different types of trip planning: a route on the Oker with a named destination and a cycling loop connecting several stops. Check the latest route details before setting off.
Individual places to visit also offer their own highlights. St. Viti Church is a stop in the village centre on Am Brink and is considered one of the village’s oldest landmarks. The Gifhorn-Hillerse Model Railway Club operates a 60-square-metre HO-scale model railway with around 550 metres of track. If you would like to visit the layout, check current visiting arrangements in advance.
A wider look at the Gifhorn travel region
Looking at the wider Gifhorn travel region broadens the landscape perspective to include the district as a whole: this includes heathland, forests, moorland, rivers and lakes. The Drömling, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is also part of the district. This regional perspective complements Hillerse’s specific river and village attractions when you are weighing up different themes across the Gifhorn travel region.
There is also more to guide your cycling plans at district level: Gifhorn District’s cycling network comprises around 700 kilometres of recreational cycle routes and a further 550 kilometres of everyday cycling routes, including connecting paths. Around 400 signposted junctions can be combined to plan individual cycling routes. The Südheide “Cycling” leaflet lists a total of 14 signposted tours; GPX tracks and further information can be downloaded using a QR code. Before planning, check that the route data you intend to use is up to date.
Other attractions in the wider Gifhorn travel region offer a different focus: the International Wind and Watermill Museum in Gifhorn has 13 full-size, original mills from around the world. At the OTTER-ZENTRUM HankensbĂĽttel, visitors can observe otters, badgers, stoats, stone martens, polecats, mink and pine martens in enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitats.
Choosing the right base for your stay
When choosing where to stay, it depends on what you want to focus on. If you are planning a broader programme in the wider Gifhorn travel region, include the places you want to visit at their respective regional levels.
Discover more destinations: Gifhorn, IsenbĂĽttel, Wittingen, Dedelstorf, Brechtorf, Brome, Wesendorf, Neudorf-Platendorf.
Back to the main travel overview: Gifhorn.
