Cycling through unique park landscapes – Ammerland Route

The best place to start the Ammerland route is Rastede. The residence is located on the Wilhelmshaven-Osnabrück Regional Express route. There is also a direct connection from Bremen to Rastede. Since the bike route is a round trip, you can of course start at any other place along the route.From the train station you cycle out of the village along the Stratjebusch nature reserve and immerse yourself in the unique Ammerland park landscape. This is characterized by beautiful meadows and fields, which are lined with picturesque rows of trees and romantic wooded areas. The countless flowering rhododendron gardens and parks set colorful accents.After about 18 kilometers you will reach the Zwischenahner Meer, which is the heart of the park landscape. Close to the shore, you drive from the northern tip of the lake to Bad Zwischenahn, which is on the south bank. It is worth taking a long break in the health resort.Then you cycle on with new energy and dive back into the idyllic park landscape at the gates of the city. On a completely flat route, you roll in playful loops over Edewecht to the stage destination Apen.Here you can end the day with a visit to the ham museum. In Apen you have a small selection of accommodations. In addition to a hotel and an inn, there are also various holiday apartments available.

At the start of the second stage on the Ammerland route, you drive past the Aper Tief nature reserve. There are several observation towers along the way. From them you have a great view over the river meadow landscape.Then you drive a loop south to the Nordloher Tief and on the way back you pass the Ader Tief again. After you have crossed the village of Augustfehn, you cycle through the typical park landscape towards the northeast.On the way you pass rustic farms, country cafes and rest areas, where you can take leisurely breaks. You will reach Westerstede about ten kilometers before the end of the stage. Before you set up camp here for the night, you cycle a nice dangling south.Here you dive into the wild and romantic Holtriede forest, which is also crossed by the Westerstede-Ocholt draisine route. Behind the forest, the meadows and fields of the park landscape welcome you again. Shortly before you reach Westerstede for the second time, you can overlook colorful rhododendrons from the landscape window, an observation tower.When you arrive back in Westerstede, you have the opportunity to end the day with a handcar ride in the summer months - if you still have strength in your legs. Then you can indulge yourself in one of the many restaurants with Ammerland specialties. You will find numerous hotels and holiday apartments for overnight stays in Westerstede.

On the last stage of the Ammerland route you leave Westerstede in the north and cycle north-east through the magical park landscape of the Ammerland. After around eight kilometers you can make a first extensive stop in the Rhododendron Park Hobbie, where you will be enchanted by a sea of colors of blooming rhododendrons.With great impressions in your luggage, you roll on on a completely flat route. Past idyllic meadows, fields and groups of trees it goes to Wiefelstede. Here you will find various places to stop for a leisurely break.With new strength, you then cycle in playful loops through the Ammerland park landscape. You will pass the natural bathing lake Hahn, where you can cool off on hot days.As the grand finale of the tour, you drive through the enchanted Schlosspark Rastede, where you are surrounded by majestic trees. After you have passed the castle, you will reach the city and have reached the starting point of the Ammerland route again.You can easily travel from Rastede by train. If you want to stay a little longer to let the wonderful tour through the Ammerland have a lasting effect, you will also find various accommodations in Rastede.