Discover Dohren: Hahnenmoor, local history and speedway
Accommodation in Dohren
Visitors to Dohren encounter two very different sides of the town: Hahnenmoor, a protected natural area, and a strong speedway tradition. The Dreiherrenstein and the Catholic St. Bernardus Church also provide historical landmarks. When planning your trip, it is worth treating the landscape, local history and event as separate topics. Hahnenmoor connects nature with the history of peat extraction; for speedway, the specific date in October is key. Check the dates for the relevant edition before planning your stay around it.
Hahnenmoor: Nature and history
Hahnenmoor is a natural highlight for Dohren and a protected area covering more than 600 hectares. Its land was once used intensively for peat extraction. The rewetting of areas where peat had been cut has enabled rare dragonflies, moor frogs and European adders to return. This ecological change can be considered alongside the area's historical use: peat extraction and rewetting tell different chapters in the story of the same moorland landscape. A viewing tower offers particularly good views of the cotton grass in late spring. The historic peat works serve as an industrial heritage site, cultural centre and place to learn about peat extraction.
Speedway in Dohren
Speedway regularly draws visitors to Dohren and is one of the town's well-known events. Every October, MSC Dohren holds an international speedway race under floodlights. The event includes fireworks, a DJ and an after-show party; individual programme items may vary from one edition to another. If you would like to combine your stay with the race, check the specific event dates and programme in advance.
Historical landmarks
The Dreiherrenstein was erected in 1652 as a historic boundary stone and is maintained by the Dohren local history association. The Catholic St. Bernardus Church was built in 1902 and is a central cultural and spiritual landmark of the town. The comparison highlights two different historical points of reference: a boundary stone from the 17th century and a church from the early 20th century.
More nature and route options in the Emsland region
In the wider Emsland destination, HĂĽmmling Nature Park covers around 580 square kilometres in the northeast of the district. Cycling and hiking trails pass historic sites, megalithic tombs and the Baroque Clemenswerth Palace, with information stations along the way.
In the Emsland region, the Crane Trail leads about 2.5 kilometres into Theikenmeer Nature Reserve. The return journey follows the same route, making a total distance of about 5 kilometres. The trail includes a viewing platform with panoramic views of Lake Theikenmeer and the moorland landscape of Wehmer Dose, as well as a birdwatching hide on the lakeshore.
The Emsland also offers cyclists the 395-kilometre Emsland Route, a circular tour through five landscape areas: Northern Ems Valley, HĂĽmmling, Bourtanger Moor, Hasetal and Southern Emsland. The route is very well signposted, mostly flat, paved and traffic-free; it is particularly suitable for beginners and families with children. It connects 19 towns that can serve as starting and finishing points.
Discover more destinations: Geeste, Haren / Ems, Esterwegen, Meppen, Vrees, Walchum, Papenburg, Twist.
Go to the main travel overview: Emsland.
