Sauensiek: Natural Swimming Pool, Forest Route and Litberg

Sauensiek offers two specific ideas for a day out: swimming at the natural swimming pool and cycling along the Forest Route, which passes through the town. The local character also includes views across the Geest from Litberg and opportunities for long hikes. If you are looking for accommodation here, you can choose between an active day on the bike, time by the water and walking tours.

A swimming break at the natural swimming pool

The Sauensiek natural swimming pool welcomes visitors for a swim or a day at the outdoor pool. The pool is chlorine-free; pebbles and plants are used for the swimming area.

There is an important condition for visiting: there is no lifeguard on duty; swimming and visits are at your own risk. You should bear this in mind when planning a day at the pool, especially if you are travelling with children. The pool is run by an association and volunteers from Sauensiek and the surrounding villages.

Forest Route, Litberg and camping

The Forest Route is a 46.69-kilometre circular tour rated as easy, and its route passes through Sauensiek. Its length and difficulty provide two different points of reference: 46.69 kilometres describes the length of the loop, while “easy” is its rating. The route leads to the 65-metre-high Litberg, whose observation tower offers wide views across the Geest landscape. In Sauensiek, the natural outdoor swimming pool offers a swimming break along the route. This makes it possible to plan the cycling route, views and swimming break as parts of the same tour.

The Sauensiek campsite at Klindworths Gasthof has 70 pitches. Its surroundings are well suited to long hikes and cycling tours through the Lower Saxon countryside. If you do not want to spend the whole day on your bike, the hikes offer another way to explore the area actively. The campsite is therefore a specific accommodation option for a stay that can include days of cycling and hiking.

Getting here and the wider cycling region

For regional rail travel, the Apensen joint municipality serves as a reference area: the region, including Sauensiek, can be reached from Buxtehude and Bremervörde. Check connections and timetables before travelling, as services may change. By car, the Altes Land am Elbstrom holiday region begins in Sauensiek shortly after the Sittensen exit from the A1, when travelling towards Horneburg.

Four signposted long-distance cycle routes cross the Altes Land am Elbstrom holiday region; check the latest route conditions before setting out on a cycling tour. These routes belong to the holiday region as a whole, so they cover a wider area than the specific Forest Route through Sauensiek.

The wider landscape: Stade

The wider landscape can be seen at the district level in the overarching destination of Stade: extensive marshes along the Elbe, the cultural landscape of the Altes Land, river valleys in the Geest and unspoilt raised bogs shape the district and offer opportunities for local recreation and nature watching. Cycling infrastructure is also part of this regional picture: the district of Stade is listed as having 1,000 kilometres of signposted cycle routes. Check the latest overall network figures and route conditions before planning.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Oederquart, Fredenbeck, Agathenburg, Balje, Engelschoff, Hollern-Twielenfleth, Guderhandviertel, Wischhafen.

Back to the main travel overview: Stade.