Stöckse: Boulder, Forest and Culture

The Giebichenstein in Stöckse is estimated to weigh 330 tonnes and measures 7.5 metres in length, 4.5 metres in width and 3.7 metres in height; one metre of it lies underground. Alongside the boulder in Tonnenheide, North Rhine-Westphalia, it is the largest erratic boulder in northern Germany. These measurements give this natural landmark a concrete scale and make it a distinctive feature to consider when planning a trip.

Boulder, Lake and Forest

Nearby is the small Stöckser See, close to the Giebichenstein. It is a natural lake surrounded by forest, created by excavation. The Krähe forest area is also nearby: it extends on both sides of County Road 3 and comprises forest, moorland and heath. Within sight of the Giebichenstein, you can also discover an exposed stone circle without capstones.

Exploring on Foot and by Bike

The signposted trails in the Krähe forest area are suitable for walking, hiking and cycling. A circular trail about one kilometre long leads through the forest past various burial mounds. The STEINreich Tour through the municipality of Stöckse can be started or finished at any of its points of interest. You can explore all or part of it on foot or by bicycle. In 2022, a cycle path about three kilometres long was built from the edge of Stöckse through the Krähe forest area to the settlement of the same name, halfway to Nienburg.

Culture in the Municipality

The Ahrbeck post mill was built in 1870 in the village of Wenden and is recognised as a cultural monument. Its equipment includes three milling mechanisms: a large one, a small one and a groats mill. Together with the Giebichenstein and the stone circle, it offers another historical point of interest for a trip focused not only on trails and landscapes.

More to Discover in the Wider Nienburg Destination

The wider Nienburg destination also offers cultural and outdoor activities. The Nienburg Museum traces the development of the Middle Weser region in three historic buildings, from the presence of the first humans to the present day. Its main building is the Fresenhof, a manor house dating from the 16th century. The museum also includes the Asparagus Museum, the Biedermeier Garden and a lapidarium; the Neoclassical villa offers deeper insights into the 19th century.

At Dinosaur Park Münchehagen, you can see more than 300 dinosaur footprints bearing witness to a time about 140 million years ago. The park offers hands-on activities especially for young children, including the excavation of a 25-metre-long skeleton. If you’d like to add a trip on the water to your plans, the Flotte Mittelweser offers sightseeing, experience and charter cruises on the Weser and Aller, departing from Nienburg or Verden. Check the operator’s timetable when planning. A 23.6-kilometre circular route on the Weser Cycle Route runs between Landesbergen and Stolzenau; check the route conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Pennigsehl, Mittelweser, Grafschaft Hoya, Rehburg-Loccum, Rodewald, Brokeloh, Steyerberg, Haßbergen

Return to the wider travel overview: Nienburg.