Discover Erfde: Eider, Geest and local history

Erfde combines a Romanesque fieldstone church with the Eider and a landscape of Geest, moors and wetlands. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, a natural bathing spot and various ways to explore Bargen on foot, by bike or on the water. To plan your visit, it is worth deciding first whether local history, swimming or outdoor activities will be your main focus.

Church and countryside in Erfde

St. Mary Magdalene Church stands in the centre of Erfde. This Romanesque fieldstone building dates from the 12th century. Inside, a votive ship commemorates shipping on the Eider. The building thus combines a tangible medieval history with a special connection to navigation on the river.

Erfde lies on a Geest island formed from an ancient moraine. Numerous moors and wetlands can be found in the surrounding area. Alongside its church, these varied landscape features give the town a distinctive connection to nature. If you want to discover Erfde through more than just individual sights, the landscape offers another perspective on your stay.

Swimming at the outdoor pool or in the Eider

Erfde outdoor swimming pool has a 1,000-square-metre pool divided into areas for diving, playing and swimming. There is also a toddlers’ pool with a small slide, water toys, a sandpit and a playhouse. In addition to its different pool areas, the outdoor pool therefore offers several play options for younger children.

If you would rather swim in the Eider, Bargen bathing area is a natural, unguarded swimming spot. It has a lawn for visitors, play equipment for children and sanitary facilities. Swimming conditions and safety measures may change; check them before swimming. Details of the facilities may also change, so it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Exploring Bargen on foot, by bike and on the water

Bargen has extensive hiking and riding trails that form a circular route through the countryside. For a different perspective on the Eider, Bargen canoe rest area has a canoe launch and places to stop beside Bargen marina. The marina has 72 berths, a landing stage for passenger boats and a pumping station for wastewater disposal. Bargen therefore offers both trails on land and various facilities for spending time by the water, although they are not the same kind of outing.

The Bargen ferry connects Erfde-Bargen and Delve-Schwienhusen across the Eider. It carries passengers with or without bicycles and is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. If this connection is important to your plans, check its current operating status before travelling.

Museum, weaving room and visitor information

Stapelholm-Huus is in Bargen, a district of Erfde, and houses a museum and a weaving room. Advance booking is recommended for groups. The Stapelholm-Huus information point offers a selection of tourist brochures; there is also an attached coworking space for people travelling for work. As information services and facility availability may change, it is best to check these details before your visit.

When looking for accommodation in Erfde, your planned activities may help you decide: would you like to focus on the church and museum, swimming or exploring the trails and the Eider?

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Bergenhusen, Börm, Alt Bennebek, Klein Rheide, Norderstapel, Groß Rheide, Dörpstedt, Klein Bennebek.

Back to the main travel overview: Kropp-Stapelholm.