Discover Ehra-Lessien

Ehra-Lessien can be explored through two distinctive experiences: the Ice Age Bickelstein and a 22-kilometre cycle tour through nature, visiting places steeped in legend and history. In addition, a 450-metre birdwatching trail starts at the entrance to the Bickelstein. This gives you a choice between an extensive cycling loop and a much shorter nature trail. If you would like to shape your stay around nature and local history, you can consider which of these experiences should take centre stage.

The Bickelstein: a landmark made of reddish granite

The Bickelstein is a landmark of the municipality of Ehra-Lessien and is considered the best-known glacial erratic in the Gifhorn-Wolfsburg area. The Ice Age stone, made of reddish granite, is 2.5 metres long and 1.2 metres high. Horseshoe-like and cross-like markings define its appearance. The Bickelstein is also located in the woodland of the Bickelsteiner Heide: the distinctive stone and its setting give the visit a tangible connection to nature and culture. Its dimensions, colour and markings make this landmark a subject in its own right, not merely a name on the map.

A cycling tour and a short nature trail

The nature-rich legends and history trail is a 22-kilometre cycling route around Ehra-Lessien. The route leads to places steeped in legend and history. It therefore combines cycling with subjects that can spark interest beyond the distance itself: legends and history are as much a part of its character as getting out on a bike.

A shorter alternative is the birdwatching trail: it is 450 metres long and starts at the entrance to the Bickelstein in Ehra-Lessien. The different lengths make it easy to distinguish between two types of outing—the longer cycling loop and the more compact route focused on birds. A cycling map of Ehra-Lessien is available free of charge from the Ehra-Lessien municipal administration. Check current collection arrangements before you go to pick it up.

Starting point and practical planning

Parking is available at the Bickelstein, and the circular route starts from there, heading east. Check the current parking situation before your visit. If you are planning the cycle tour, the starting point and cycling map provide two practical reference points. When choosing where to stay, you can first decide whether to focus on Ehra-Lessien itself or take a broader approach to your trip.

Gifhorn as a broader travel region

The wider Gifhorn travel region encompasses heathland, forests, marshes, rivers and lakes. The district is also home to the Drömling UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This adds a broader landscape to the range of local options in Ehra-Lessien.

There are also further reference points for cyclists at district level: the cycling network in Gifhorn district includes around 700 kilometres of leisure cycling routes, plus approximately 550 kilometres of everyday routes, including connecting paths. Around 400 signposted junctions can be combined to create individual cycling routes. If you are planning more than just the one tour in Ehra-Lessien, you can take these figures into account as part of the wider regional picture.

Culture and wildlife watching offer further highlights: the International Wind and Watermill Museum in Gifhorn features 13 full-size, original mills from around the world. At the OTTER-ZENTRUM Hankensbüttel, visitors can observe otters, badgers, stoats, stone martens, polecats, minks, American minks and pine martens in enclosures modelled on their natural habitats. When planning your accommodation, you can weigh up whether the experiences in Ehra-Lessien provide the focus you are looking for or whether you would also like to include Gifhorn as a broader travel region.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Meinersen, Hankensbüttel, Rühen, Wilsche, Meine, Hillerse, Isenbüttel, Sassenburg.

Back to the overview of the wider travel region: Gifhorn.