Wanna: Ahlenmoor and local history

If you are planning a trip to Wanna, you can focus on either nature or history. In Ahlenmoor, paths and the moor railway take you through a landscape whose distinctive features unfold along the way. In the village and its surroundings, the museum, church and stone monuments offer insights into different eras.

Ahlenmoor and the moor railway

Ahlenmoor is the largest raised bog area in the district of Cuxhaven. The 5.7-kilometre circular moor railway route passes through rewetted peat extraction areas, preserved raised bog sections and land formerly used for agriculture. On a single journey, you will encounter a variety of landscapes. Rare plants can be observed, and with luck, you may also spot rare animals adapted to this extreme habitat.

A regular trip takes about two hours and 15 minutes, though the duration may vary slightly. At four stops, a knowledgeable guide provides information about the moor. Boardwalks, platforms and an observation tower offer various viewpoints along the route. The route length and approximate journey time can help you estimate how much time to allow for this excursion.

Moor adventure trail and MoorIZ

The moor adventure trail is a family attraction with around 14 information stations about the flora and fauna of the moor. It is open to visitors free of charge all year round and has been renovated to provide barrier-free access. As path conditions may change on site, it is worth checking them before your visit. The trail offers a different way to explore the moor than a guided ride on the moor railway: its stations focus specifically on plant and animal life.

MoorIZ features an interactive exhibition about the moor. The moor railway station is also located at MoorIZ: the railway departs from Am Hohen Kopf 3 in Wanna, between Wanna and Flögeln, and parking is available. Trips for groups and school classes can be arranged by prior agreement, including outside the regular season. AST 1322 connects Otterndorf with Ahlen-Falkenberg and MoorIZ. Before travelling, check the current booking arrangements for the call-and-collect taxi service and the parking conditions.

Museum, church and historic landmarks

At the local history museum, you can see a complete old forge dating from the 1940s and a shoemaker’s workshop. The exhibition also displays prehistoric objects and shows what local life was like at the beginning of the 20th century. The museum also highlights butter cake baked in a stone oven. An open day with guided tours and traditional demonstrations is held every year. If you would like to plan your visit around this event, check the current date before your trip.

St. George’s Church in Wanna was rebuilt in 1867 in the Neo-Gothic style on the site of a church dating from the 13th or 14th century. Its floor plan is cruciform, and the bell tower is integrated into the building on the west side. The church’s history thus reveals both a later reconstruction and the site of the older church.

The archaeological evidence also reaches far back in time. The first urns at Gravenberg were found during an excavation in 1738. In 1869, Gravenberg was excavated again in the hope of finding further antiquities. The stone grave near Westerwanna consists of eight large stones arranged in an oval, with two more stones lying across them. A stone grave in Ahlen-Falkenberg is also known by the names Crodons Kirche and Kronskark.

The Hadler Legends Trail

Beyond Wanna, the Hadler Legends Trail offers more to explore: along existing cycling routes in the Samtgemeinde Land Hadeln, podcasts and audio plays at 32 stops tell regional legends and stories about nature. Information and a map brochure for the trail are available at MoorIZ in Wanna or Ahlen-Falkenberg. Ask about availability before your visit.

Discover more travel destinations: Bad Bederkesa, Mittelstenahe, Nordleda, Sandstedt, Land Wursten, Wehdel, Nordholz, Geestland.

Back to the main travel overview: Cuxhaven.