Heidenau: Cycling between forest and moorland

Forest, moorland and a cycle route that runs alongside the Wedding Forest: Heidenau combines experiences in nature with a range of activities at the holiday centre. The municipality’s landscape provides a setting for relaxation close by. The holiday centre is set in this forest and moorland landscape and covers around 35 hectares. So when planning your trip, it is worth considering both the nature and cycle routes around Heidenau, and the accommodation and activities at the holiday centre.

Landscape and history around Heidenau

The heath near Dohren is part of the Estetal Nature Reserve. An area near Dohren is also part of the “Este, Bötersheimer Heide, Glüsinger Bruch and Osterbruch” Natura 2000 site. The names refer to different protected-area designations in the landscape; the heath and the area near Dohren offer a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in nature and landscapes.

The historic name also tells a story about the landscape: On 18th-century maps, the districts of Dohren and Heidenau were labelled “Dohrener Heide”. The name links both districts to the heath that helps shape the area. If you enjoy combining your stay with an interest in natural history, you can explore both the landscape as it is today and its former name.

By bike: Wedding Forest, fieldstone walls and views

The Heidenau section of the Hamburg–Bremen Cycle Route runs alongside the Wedding Forest. Near Heidenau, the route passes farms with fieldstone walls. Another view of the landscape opens up along the section over Büntberg: from there, you can see across the Dohrener Heide. There is also a rest area on the Heidenau section. The “Heidenauer Riese” erratic boulder near Heidenau is also linked to the cycle route.

A completed improvement project is also part of the cycle route in Heidenau: a cobblestone section was removed. The route can be described through a series of specific impressions—from the Wedding Forest and farms with fieldstone walls to the view of the heath. The cycling trip can be a useful starting point when choosing where to stay: consider whether to focus on the cycle route, the experience of nature or the activities at the holiday centre.

Holiday centre and accommodation

The Heidenau holiday centre welcomes guests with caravans, motorhomes and tents. It offers 80 pitches in green surroundings, as well as holiday homes for up to four people. There are different types of accommodation to choose from: a camping pitch or a holiday home with the stated capacity. If you are interested in a pitch, check current availability before you travel; capacity may also change.

The holiday centre has a heated swimming pool. Pony rides through the forest are also available. If you are planning a ride, check the current dates and availability in advance, as both may change. Free local maps are available at reception. They can help you find your way around during your stay, without requiring you to plan a particular route.

The holiday centre is home to the Akropolis Athene restaurant. Fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and sausages from regional producers are also available on site; product availability may change. To reach the holiday centre, take the road for about two kilometres from Heidenau exit 46 on the A1. This information is useful when planning both your journey and your stay at the holiday centre.

Heidenau within the wider Harburg destination

The wider Harburg destination offers a broader setting for cycling and hiking trips: a dense network of cycle routes runs through Harburg district, including 1,000 kilometres of signposted tourist cycle routes. Another hiking route is the Heidschnuckenweg, which opened in 2012 and runs for 223 kilometres from Hamburg through Harburg, Heidekreis and Celle districts, as well as through more than 30 heathland areas in the North and South Heath. It is divided into 13 stages and complemented by twelve Heide loops ranging from 1.4 to 20.9 kilometres in length. This regional selection offers a different perspective from the cycle route and landscape experiences directly associated with Heidenau.

Discover more destinations: Winsen an der Luhe, Sottorf, Scharmbeck, Gödenstorf, Marxen, Garlstorf, Seevetal, Eyendorf.

Back to the wider travel overview: Harburg.