Esterwegen between memorial and moor

Esterwegen combines a moving memorial site with nature and leisure activities. The memorial, the MoorInfoPfad in the nature reserve and the recreational area at Lake Erika offer different experiences—from historical reflection and learning about the moor to play, water and exercise.

Memorial and spaces for reflection

As a European memorial site, Esterwegen Memorial commemorates the violence and crimes committed in the 15 Emsland camps during the Nazi era. It gives a visit a serious historical focus, clearly distinct from an outing in nature. Admission is free; check the latest visitor information before you travel. At Esterwegen Monastery, several memorial rooms offer opportunities for spiritual reflection and to consider guilt, reconciliation, forgiveness and personal responsibility in the here and now. Alongside historical remembrance, questions of personal responsibility are also central here.

Learn about the moor on a short walk

In the Melmmoor/Kuhdammoor Nature Reserve, the MoorInfoPfad introduces visitors to the moor habitat at 17 stops along an interactive educational trail. It is about 1.1 kilometres long, with around two-thirds of the route running along a wooden boardwalk. The trail thus combines a short route with several stops focusing on the moor habitat. It is located near Esterwegen Memorial and provides a landscape contrast to the historic memorial site. Check local information about trail conditions before your visit.

Leisure activities at Lake Erika

The recreational area at Lake Erika offers another way to spend your time. It includes a swimming lake, an adventure playground and an inline skating course. Water, play and skating appeal to a range of interests. Check the latest information on the facilities before your visit.

The Emsland as a wider travel destination

The wider Emsland destination offers the chance to discover nature on a larger scale. Hümmling Nature Park covers around 580 square kilometres in the north-east of the Emsland district. Cycling and hiking trails pass information points, historic sites, megalithic tombs and the Baroque Clemenswerth Palace. The Theikenmeer Loop is also among the nature park trails that meet the German Hiking Association’s quality criteria.

For a specific walking route, the Kranichpfad leads about 2.5 kilometres into Theikenmeer Nature Reserve; the return journey follows the same route, making the total walking distance around 5 kilometres. An observation platform offers panoramic views of Lake Theikenmeer and the moorland of Wehmer Dose. There is also an observation hut on the lakeshore. At around 5 kilometres for the round trip, the Kranichpfad is a longer walk than Esterwegen’s approximately 1.1-kilometre MoorInfoPfad.

For a regional cycling tour, the Emsland Route offers a route of its own: this 395-kilometre circuit passes through five landscapes of the Emsland—Northern Ems Valley, Hümmling, Bourtanger Moor, Hasetal and Southern Emsland. The route is very well signposted, mostly flat, paved and traffic-free, and is particularly suitable for beginners and families with children. It connects 19 towns; all Emsland towns along the route can serve as starting and finishing points.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Salzbergen, Werpeloh, Haren / Ems, Papenburg, Lünne, Dersum, Vrees, Holthausen.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Emsland.