Wanna: Moorland Experiences and Local History

Wanna combines impressive moorland scenery with glimpses into regional history. In the Ahlenmoor, you can experience the area on a circular railway trip or explore a moorland trail on foot. The local history museum, church and archaeological finds add their own distinctive touches. This lets you plan a trip around your family’s interests, with time outdoors, engaging stories and historical discoveries.

Experience the Moor in Two Ways

The Ahlenmoor is the largest raised bog area in Cuxhaven district. The moor railway runs along a 5.7-kilometre circular route through it; a regular trip takes about two hours and 15 minutes. The route passes through rewetted peat extraction areas, preserved raised bog habitats and areas that were once used for agriculture. The journey therefore takes you through different parts of the moorland landscape. At four stops, a knowledgeable moor railway guide provides information. Along the route, wooden boardwalks, platforms and an observation tower offer various viewpoints. You can observe rare plants and, with luck, spot rare animals adapted to this extreme habitat. The MoorIZ complements the outing with an interactive exhibition about the moor.

If you prefer to explore on foot, the Moor Experience Trail offers another way to discover the moor. It is a family-friendly day trip destination, with about 14 information stations on the moor’s flora and fauna. The renovated trail is designed to be accessible and is open to visitors free of charge year-round. Check current trail conditions before your visit. The two options also differ in how you plan your outing: the moor railway has a stated journey time, while you can explore the trail on foot at your own pace. Check current operating conditions before taking the train.

Local History Museum and Architectural History

Highlights at the local history museum include a complete old blacksmith’s workshop from the 1940s and a shoemaker’s workshop. The exhibits show what life in the area was like at the beginning of the 20th century and also include prehistoric objects. The museum also highlights butter cake baked in a stone oven. An open day with guided tours and traditional demonstrations takes place every year; check the current date before travelling.

A striking building in Wanna is St. George’s Church. It was rebuilt in 1867 in the Neo-Gothic style on the site of a church dating from the 13th or 14th century. Its floor plan is cross-shaped, with the bell tower integrated into the building on the west side. The dates and architectural design offer a different historical perspective from the workshops in the local history museum: here, the focus is on the development of a place of worship, while the museum explores everyday life and crafts.

Archaeological Traces and Regional Tales

The history of Gravenberg is also linked to archaeological finds. The first urns were found there during an excavation in 1738. Gravenberg was excavated again in 1869 in the hope of discovering more antiquities. At the stone grave in Westerwanna, eight large stones form an oval, with two more stones laid across them. The stone grave in Ahlen-Falkenberg is also known as Crodons Kirche and Kronskark. These places offer different ways to explore the past, from the history of archaeological finds to the form of a stone grave.

The Hadler Legends Trail offers another regional perspective. At 32 stops along existing cycle routes in the Samtgemeinde Land Hadeln, regional legends and nature stories are presented as podcasts and radio plays. Information and a map brochure for the trail are available at the MoorIZ in Wanna and Ahlen-Falkenberg. Alongside the moorland and historical topics, you can also discover stories from the region.

Practical Information for Your Outing

The moor railway station at the MoorIZ is located in Wanna at Am Hohen Kopf 3, between Wanna and Flögeln; parking is available there. The AST 1322 call-and-collect taxi connects Otterndorf with Ahlen-Falkenberg and the MoorIZ. Check current booking conditions before travelling. Moor railway trips for groups and school classes can be arranged by appointment, including outside the regular season. Make arrangements for such trips in advance. You can choose between exploring the Moor Experience Trail independently, taking a guided moor railway trip and visiting the cultural attractions, while keeping in mind that each option has different conditions.

Discover more destinations: Cuxhaven, Wingst, Nordholz, Ringstedt, Hagen Im Bremischen, Nordleda, Langen, Hemmoor.

Go to the main travel guide: Cuxhaven.