Behrendorf – a Geest village with an equestrian tradition

Behrendorf is a typical Geest village with a predominantly agricultural character. At the same time, the village has a strong local reputation for Holsteiner horse breeding. Together with equestrian competitions, this gives it a clear profile: anyone interested in horses and rural villages can get to know Behrendorf through these themes.

Competitions and the riding club’s facilities

The Obere Arlau Riding and Driving Club holds dressage competitions. Its annual programme includes the Nospa Dressur Classics in April and a major show-jumping competition in August. There are also competitions for young horses and up-and-coming riders. The events mentioned therefore differ both in discipline and in season. If a competition is the reason for your trip, check the exact date before making plans.

The club’s facilities also give equestrian sport a tangible presence in the village. The large indoor arena measures 20 by 60 metres and has an ebb-and-flow riding surface and spectator stands. The smaller arena is used for lunging, free exercise and free jumping for horses. The club also has an outdoor riding area that can be used for training all year round. This is distinct from the sand show-jumping arena: a large course is set up there every summer, though the exact timing may vary. The indoor arenas, outdoor area and seasonal course thus represent different aspects of equestrian activity.

A Geest village and local culture

Low German is still predominantly spoken in everyday life in Behrendorf. Cultural events and leisure activities also contribute to the village’s character. This means there is more to explore than equestrian sport: language and culture offer another perspective on this rural village.

North Frisia as the wider setting

At the regional level, North Frisia offers other landscapes and nature-related themes. The region has 441 kilometres of coastline and includes five North Frisian islands in Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, including Sylt, Föhr and Amrum. North Frisia also includes ten Halligen, distinctive landforms within the national park. The North Frisian Wadden Sea is an official nature reserve and part of this national park.

Nature experiences in North Frisia range from dikes and inland dunes to moors and forests. They include walks, cycling tours through the marshes and visits to small nature reserves. At Hauke-Haien-Koog, visitors can observe a diverse birdlife. The Schlüttsiel Information Centre has a natural history exhibition and offers guided tours of the Wadden Sea and nature conservation almost every day; when the weather is suitable, a tour of the sea dike follows. The weather condition is explicitly part of this additional tour.

North Frisia also offers practical guidance for cycling trips. The regional cycling routes in northern North Frisia are circular, allowing travellers to choose their own starting and finishing points. Route logos and signs show the way; on unmarked sections, direction arrows help. Examples at the regional level include the 27-kilometre Beltringharder Route, starting in Lüttmoorsiel, and the 35-kilometre Stollberg-Koog Tour, starting at the Amsinck House in Reußenköge. Comparing the distances gives you two specific reference points, with different route lengths and starting locations.

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide what you want your trip to focus on: Behrendorf, with its Geest character and equestrian profile, or North Frisia, with its regional nature and cycling routes. This lets you tailor your search area to the themes that matter most to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Friedrich-Wilhelm-Lübke-Koog, Drage, Galmsbüll, Risum-Lindholm, Goldelund, Haselund, Westerhever, Seeth.

Back to the main travel overview: North Frisia.