Peace and nature on Germany’s Ems-Hase-Hunte-Else Trail
Hiking Collection by Angelina Kuhlmann
7
days
5-8 h
/ day
110 mi
4,750 ft
4,950 ft
The Osnabrücker Land and the Emsland are two neighbouring regions in Lower Saxony that could not be more different. In Osnabrücker Land, the Teutoburg Forest and the Wiehengebirge Mountains give you some altitude under a dense canopy of leaves. The Emsland, on the other hand, is made up of moorland and large lakes. Both regions are connected by the wonderful long-distance hiking trail – the Ems-Hase-Hunte-Else Trail.
Watch the sunset reflect onto water, spot unique bird species at Lake Dümmer, gaze upon wooded mountain ranges from high lookout towers and explore cosy village centres – the Ems-Hase-Hunte-Else Trail promises you plenty of variety over 178 kilometres (110.6 mi). The trail is named after four rivers, all of which lie en route.
In this Collection, I’ve divided this wonderful route into seven stages. As the daily distances are quite long, you can also extend your trip over more days. In my version, each stage ends in a city or town where you can find suitable accommodation. You can easily reach the starting point, the town of Dissen, and the destination, Lingen, by train. Almost every stage features cafés, inns and snack bars where you can take a break.
During your hike, you are often immersed in nature. This adventure offers peace, solitary nature, meditative hiking on mountain ranges, geest and moor landscapes and narrow forest paths.
To help keep you motivated, you can collect hiking stamps at the stage destinations and receive a certificate at the end. You can download the stamp collection form here: wiehengebirgsverband-weser-ems.de/unsere-wanderwege/wgv-wanderwege/ems-hase-hunte-else-weg.
On The Map
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Last updated: May 17, 2023
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- Expert05:3913.0 mi2.3 mph900 ft950 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The first stage of the Ems-Hase-Hunte-Else-Weg is all about the Teutoburg Forest, the low mountain range that you will cross today. With laced hiking boots, an easy variant is sufficient here, you start in the morning at the train station in Dissen and cross the small town on the way to the mountains…
- Expert05:1211.8 mi2.3 mph1,025 ft1,025 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Today the Meller mountains and the Wiehengebirge are in front of you. At a good 19 kilometers, this stage is the shortest of the long-distance hiking trail. That's a good thing, because you can always pause and enjoy the forest atmosphere. You shoulder your hiking backpack in the Meller center, make…
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- Expert07:3317.8 mi2.4 mph800 ft875 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
You should plan enough time for the third stage. A good 29 kilometers lie ahead of you today, which will take you from the low mountain range around Osnabrück to the Dümmer nature park. A demanding but incredibly varied tour in one of the most important bird sanctuaries in Europe.
In Bad Essen you set…
- Expert07:1817.6 mi2.4 mph550 ft300 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
From Lemförde you can clearly see how the Osnabrück hills merge into the geest landscape typical of northern Germany. And even if the North Sea is still a bit away, on the way to Dümmer See you have the feeling of hiking through the foreshore. From Lemförde it goes through the Ochsenmoor to the west…
- Expert05:5514.2 mi2.4 mph375 ft625 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The 5th stage of the Ems-Hase-Hunte-Else-Weg takes you almost 23 kilometers to Alfhausen am Alfsee. The tour has a lot to offer in terms of landscape, because you not only hike in the Damme mountains, but also through the colorful patchwork of fields and meadows, until you stand at the Alfsee surrounded…
- Expert06:4916.2 mi2.4 mph625 ft600 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
In Alfhausen you are on the edge of the Ankumerhöhe, a small mountain range that is 142 meters above sea level at its highest point. From Alfhausen you hike over the ridge to Fürstenau. A landscape with small forests and long meadows accompanies you. The nice thing is that during the hike you will come…
- Expert08:1219.8 mi2.4 mph500 ft575 ftExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The seventh stage of the long-distance hiking trail has it all again at a good 32 kilometers - but it is guaranteed to inspire you with the landscape. On the last stage of the Ems-Hase-Hunte-Else-Weg you can regain the necessary peace and mindfulness for everyday life that is about to begin.
You start…
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance110 mi
- Duration46:39 h
- Elevation4,750 ft4,950 ft
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