Discover Freren: Lake, Forest and Culture

Freren brings together Saller Lake, woodland and a diverse cultural offering, creating a range of ways to explore. Green meadows and forests shape the landscape around the lake; routes for cyclists and hikers invite you to experience the surroundings on the move. In Freren, a trail, the Heimathaus and the Alte Molkerei tell stories of history and culture.

At Saller Lake: Routes and Activities

Saller Lake is surrounded by green meadows and forests. There are numerous routes for cyclists and hikers around the lake. The South Emsland Nordic Fitness and Ski-Bike Park is also located here, with seven signposted routes. One special activity in the park is biathlon using an ammunition-free laser shooting system. The park also combines inline skating and cross-country skiing—a combination that evokes a winter-sports feeling even in summer.

There is also a Kneipp water-treading facility, a mini-golf course and picnic areas at Saller Lake. The area thus brings together various ways to spend time outdoors: you can use the routes for cycling or hiking, or include other activities by the lake in your plans. You can decide which activities take priority based on the kind of trip you want.

Explore the Forest and Local History

The Holtpättken forest discovery trail is designed for children and adults. Along the trail, you can learn about how the landscape was formed, people’s work in the forest, the trees and wildlife. QR codes provide access to audio features with short Low German texts and stories about Holtpättken. This brings nature topics and the regional language together on an outing.

The Heimathaus Freren also offers an insight into local history and crafts: its renovated outbuilding houses a crafts museum. The Fridurenpatt trail offers another historical perspective. It traces Freren’s development from the medieval market town of “Friduren” to the present-day town. The moated castle Gut Hange is a cultural monument and a destination for excursions.

Culture at the Alte Molkerei

The Alte Molkerei cultural centre brings together events, exhibitions and cultural institutions. The permanent exhibition “Lebenswege” is housed in the historic buildings of the former Brüne dairy. The Samuel Manne Jewish History Workshop is also located in the cultural centre.

The Alte Molkerei’s events programme includes theatre, concerts, seminars and flea markets, as well as cultural breakfasts, jazz brunches and arts and crafts markets. The Kulturkreis impulse Samtgemeinde Freren e.V. organises more than 50 events there each year. There are various ways to discover culture in Freren: explore local history, visit an exhibition or attend an event from the programme.

Choose Freren as Your Destination

When looking for accommodation in Freren, you can start by deciding what you would most like to focus on during your trip. If you want to spend time outdoors, Saller Lake, its routes and the forest discovery trail offer different options to consider. If you are particularly interested in history and culture, you can include the Heimathaus, Fridurenpatt, Gut Hange and the Alte Molkerei in your plans. You can also combine both: enjoy nature by the lake and visit cultural sites in Freren.

You can also discover Thuine as another destination.

Discover More Destinations

Haren / Ems, Kluse, Surwold, Lingen, Bawinkel, Geeste, Lünne

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