Bülkau: Cycling, Village History and Moorland

Bülkau is a linear village along the L 144. Its impressive farmhouses reflect the agricultural character of the area. The village layout and farmsteads give the place a rural setting, while also offering different ways to explore Bülkau and its surroundings.

Cycling, Walking and Landscape

Cycling routes along the L 144 and K 21 make it easy to explore Bülkau by bike. In the Aue area, the paths are suitable for both walks and cycling tours. Another cycling route runs between Bovenmoor and Stinstedt. This gives you a choice of different local routes for a tour: paths along the two roads, the Aue area, and the route between the places named above.

Bülkau borders the Balksee and Randmoore protected area, which offers views of moorland and heath. Bovenmoor also borders the protected area directly. A publicly accessible observation tower in the protected area offers panoramic views across Balksee. White-tailed eagles can sometimes be spotted from there. The landscape views and the possibility of observing wildlife are two distinct aspects of this area.

Waterways and Activities

Canoeing is possible on the Aue and the Hadelner Canal. Public moorings along the canal are available to canoeists and motorboat users. The Hadelner Canal connects Bülkau with Odisheim, Osterbruch and Steinau. Anglers must meet a specific requirement: fishing at Balksee and on the Hadelner Canal is permitted with a fishing licence.

These activities vary depending on the waterway and the type of visit: canoeing is available on the Aue and the canal; public moorings for canoeists and motorboat users are located along the canal; and fishing at Balksee and on the canal is permitted with a fishing licence. This allows you to consider the local options according to your interests without treating the different activities as interchangeable.

Village History and St. Johannis

Bülkau was founded around 1200 by Dutch settlers as a linear settlement. The village was first documented in 1352. St. Johannis is a prominent landmark in Bülkau. The church stands on a dwelling mound and was probably built as a Gothic fieldstone church during the Frisian colonisation. The nave was rebuilt as a simple brick hall on the old foundations in 1701; the medieval polygonal choir was preserved. The church thus brings together an early building history and a later reconstruction.

A free-standing square wooden tower stands to the west of the nave. The choir houses a rood group dating to around 1515. The bronze baptismal font dates to approximately 1250; parts of an organ case by Arp Schnitger have also been preserved in the church. These details point to different periods and elements: the medieval choir, the rood group, the baptismal font, and the surviving part of the organ case.

Music in the Community

Church music is also part of cultural life in Bülkau. The brass choir, singing group, recorder group and guitar group regularly perform together with the organ at church services and events. The parish also holds evening concerts. These musical activities add another dimension to community life alongside the historical significance of St. Johannis.

Discover more destinations: Cadenberge, Geversdorf, Belum.

View the main travel guide: Am Dobrock.