Kuhfelde – Jeetze Valley and Megalithic Tombs

Kuhfelde lies in the Jeetze Valley, a green former glacial valley with villages and wide-open views. The elevated site of the Audorf Mill is considered a viewpoint overlooking the Jeetze lowlands; from there, views extend in the direction of Salzwedel. The landscape and archaeological remains give the area two distinct points of interest: expansive views across the valley and the megalithic tombs within the municipality.

Megalithic Tombs in Wötz

Wötz, a summer destination for cycling tours, lies within the municipality. Several comparatively well-preserved megalithic tombs with guardian stones and burial chambers are located there. These features make the sites more tangible than the general term “megalithic tomb” and give the stone monuments a recognizable form.

Across the Altmark, megalithic tombs are considered visible evidence of human settlement dating back more than 5,000 years. Of the more than 200 megalithic tombs that once stood in the Altmark, 40 remain in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district and eight in the Stendal district. In the western Altmark, the Megalithic Route is part of the European Cultural Route “Megalithic Routes.” This regional context adds to the perspective on the tombs in Wötz, without implying that all places along the route are the same.

Cycling in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel District

In the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district, the Altmark Circuit offers a different scale for cycling tours. It is almost 500 kilometers long and passes through forests and meadows, going by numerous brick and fieldstone churches. For long stretches, it runs close to the “Green Belt Germany” and brings nature, history, and culture together.

The circuit comprises ten stages with different surfaces: asphalt and concrete track slabs, as well as surfaced field and forest paths, sandy agricultural tracks, and quiet roads. When planning, the total distance is not the only thing to consider; the surface of each stage also gives a concrete impression of the route. Together, these cycling options offer different scales: a summer destination in Wötz and a nearly 500-kilometer circuit in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district.

History and Nature in the Region

In the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district, visitors can experience everyday life among the Lombards at the Langobardenwerkstatt Zethlingen and take part in hands-on activities such as baking, making pottery, and using a bow and arrow. This offers a different way to engage with history than the megalithic tombs: here, everyday activities take center stage.

The Hanseatic town of Salzwedel adds its own historical dimension. Its town center is characterized by medieval architecture, half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes, and brick churches. A walk along the 1,850-meter-long town wall offers the chance to discover parts of the medieval castle complex, gates, and towers.

The UNESCO Drömling Biosphere Reserve includes areas of the unified municipalities of the City of Klötze and the Hanseatic town of Gardelegen within the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district. Drömling has well-developed cycling and hiking trails, observation towers, information centers, and guided nature-watching tours. If you are planning such a tour, check current maps of the protected-area boundaries and information about the available activities in advance.

Choose the Right Focus

Those planning a multi-stage cycling trip can take the different surfaces of the Altmark Circuit into account; those interested in history can find both stone monuments in Wötz and hands-on experiences in Zethlingen, as well as architecture in Salzwedel.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Klötze, Rohrberg, Dähre, Kalbe, Salzwedel, Gardelegen, Beetzendorf, Arendsee

Back to the regional travel overview: Altmarkkreis Salzwedel.