Kampen (Sylt) offers a variety of attractions: a distinctive dune height, a protected cliff coast and the Bird Decoy with its circular trail. When planning your stay, it is helpful to consider the beach, nature, culture and transport as separate focal points.
Dune and Red Cliff
At 52.5 metres, the Uwe Dune is the highest natural elevation on Sylt. A dune path leads up on foot from Zur Uwe-DĂĽne road; a wooden staircase with 109 steps leads to the viewing platform. Access is therefore via a footpath and a staircase.
The Red Cliff stretches for about four kilometres along Kampen’s western side towards Wenningstedt. At its highest point, the difference in elevation from the cliff edge to the beach is around 30 metres. Its red colour is created when oxygen acts on iron-bearing clay. The cliff and the heathland along its upper edge have been a nature reserve since 1979. As the Red Cliff is at risk of collapse, walkers should stay on the designated paths.
Beach sections and Bird Decoy
Kampen’s beach area is divided into four sections. Two dog beaches are designated in northern section A and southern section N. As the beach zoning can change seasonally, check the current layout before your visit. Trained lifeguards are present on all Kampen beaches; public toilets are available at several locations in the beach area. These beach services may vary depending on the season. Beach activities also include beach fitness classes, beach volleyball and beach soccer; their programmes may also change with the season.
Kampen Bird Decoy is a bird sanctuary and museum. The entire area has been protected since 1935. A circular trail passes through the forest, by the decoy houses, over a dike and along a pond. The 35 information stations cover the flora, fauna and history of the site. Visiting arrangements may change; check in advance if you are planning a museum visit.
Culture, lighthouse and dining
The free art and culture trail runs throughout Kampen. Around 40 marked bronze steles with QR codes provide information about artists and other people connected with Kampen. This gives you a choice of themed trails: the art trail introduces art and local connections, while the Bird Decoy stations cover flora, fauna and local history.
The Langer Christian lighthouse can be viewed from the outside, but visitors cannot enter it. As access arrangements may change, check them before your visit. There are also different dining options: Kampen’s food scene ranges from fresh fish and snacks to multi-course menus, tapas, schnitzel and tea. The offerings at individual establishments may change.
Plan your journey and stay
Bus route 1 connects Kampen with Westerland and List. If you are planning to travel by bus, check the current timetable in advance; routes and services may change. Sylt also has a well-developed network of cycle paths, making it possible to explore the island and its landscape by bicycle.
Discover more destinations: Rantum, Sylt-Ost, Hörnum, Archsum, Wenningstedt, Munkmarsch, List, Westerland
Return to the main travel overview: Sylt.
