Nieby and the Geltinger Birk: Discover nature

The Geltinger Birk shapes the natural experience in Nieby: the nature reserve covers around 773 hectares in parts of Nieby and Gelting. Its landscape ranges from beaches, lagoons, salt marshes, coastal forests and steep coastlines to heathland, dry grassland, and fens and transitional mires. This means different aspects of a protected area can be at the heart of your stay—from a path along the dyke to observing wildlife and taking part in guided nature activities.

Observe and discover nature

Nature observation changes with the seasons. During bird migration, you can watch birds from Mühle Charlotte; other observation points include the Beveroe Bridge and the Krötenweg near Falshöft. Guided experiences focus on the local flora and fauna, as well as seasonal observations of birds and frogs. At Falshöft beach, the focus is also on fossils and stones. This lets you shape a day in nature around a particular interest: seasonal wildlife observations offer a different focus from discovering what the beach has to offer.

Trails on foot and by bike

From Nieby, hikers can cross the Birk on foot and reach Bevereoe; along some sections, they can see cattle grazing in pastures. There are five circular walking routes in the area. A surfaced walking and cycling path runs between the Birk’s access points for around twelve kilometres, mostly along the dyke, and loops around the Birk. The routes offer different ways to explore the landscape, without any one loop having to cover every experience.

A guided cycling tour around or across the Birk includes the Falshöft Lighthouse and covers about 14 kilometres over three and a half hours. This gives you the option of including a guided tour with a set time frame in your plans. Check tour dates and programme details before your trip.

Visitor centre, directions and rules

Since 2003, the Geltinger Birk Integrated Station has been based in a former pilot’s house in Falshöft, Nieby. It is a regional point of contact for people interested in nature and species conservation. The station includes an exhibition on the history and development of the Geltinger Birk. Maps to help you find your way around the nature reserve are available there and at nearby tourist information offices. If a map is part of your plans, check its availability in advance.

There are car parks at the Birk’s access points. In the area, stay on designated paths and keep dogs on a short lead. These guidelines are part of finding your way around during your stay, alongside choosing a route: whether you are walking, planning a cycling tour or want to explore specific nature topics, the trails and activities offer different focuses.

Plan your journey and accommodation

You can plan your journey by public transport using nah.sh; check connections for your travel date. The road route to Falshöft Lighthouse from the direction of Flensburg or Kappeln follows the B 199 to Gelting, then continues via Pommerby towards Nieby. It is worth checking current traffic conditions before setting off.

When looking for accommodation, your preferred activities are a good starting point: would you mainly like to hike, cycle, make seasonal nature observations or join a guided tour? This can help you choose a location based on the experiences that matter most for your trip.

Culture in the broader Schleswig-Flensburg destination

If you would like to broaden your stay beyond the natural landscape of the Birk, the wider Schleswig-Flensburg destination has its own historical highlights: Haithabu and the Danevirke have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since June 2018. The historical memorial site and Idstedt Museum provide information about German-Danish history surrounding the uprising of 1848 and the Battle of Idstedt. These themes offer a distinct cultural and historical perspective on Schleswig-Flensburg.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Steinberg, Niesgrau, Hasselberg, Esgrus, Steinberghaff, Stangheck, Rabenholz, Stoltebüll.

To the main travel overview: Gelting Bay.