Brinkum: Hiking, Hedgerows and Local History

Brinkum brings together nature and history, which can be given different emphasis when planning a trip. On foot, the third stage of the Watten Route passes Brinkum; for a cycling tour, the route to the chain ferry through the hedgerow landscape around the town is a good option. There is a rest area at the old railway station, with several places to sit and an information board featuring photos. There is also an archaeological find on Liddenweg. This gives you a choice of different focal points when planning your stay: outdoor routes, a break with local history, and insights into Brinkum’s past.

Hiking, Cycling and History in Brinkum

When hiking from Leer to Hesel, the third stage of the Watten Route passes Brinkum and Holtland. If you want to include Brinkum in a walking trip, you can use this route as a guide. Check current route conditions before setting out. The stage offers a reference point for planning a hike, while Brinkum lies along the way between the two places mentioned.

The rest area at the old railway station in Brinkum has several places to sit. An information board with photos tells the story of the former station. Here, a break and local history come together: the board explains the historical subject at the rest area. This makes the former station a tangible point of reference if you would also like to include local history in your stay.

Archaeological excavations on Liddenweg uncovered remains of an early medieval settlement that existed around 1000 AD. This approximate date adds an archaeological perspective on Brinkum’s past to the history of the old railway station. Together, these two subjects offer different ways to explore local history: the memory of the former station and evidence of an early medieval settlement.

For a cycling tour, the route to the chain ferry passes through the hedgerow landscape around Brinkum and is well suited to a bike ride. The two routes therefore clearly differ by activity: the Watten Route is a hiking stage, while the route to the chain ferry is a good option for a cycling tour. If you plan your trip around the type of activity you have in mind, Brinkum offers both a hiking route and a cycling option.

Nearby Hesel

Hesel is around five kilometres southwest of Brinkum. In the centre of Hesel, the more than 80-year-old Villa Popken houses the tourist information office and serves as a meeting place for young and old. The building therefore combines a tourist function with a place for people to meet. When planning your trip, Hesel can be a point of interest in its own right alongside the routes and rest area in Brinkum; Villa Popken combines information for visitors with its role as a meeting place.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Leer

Other cultural attractions in the wider destination of Leer add to the impressions of Brinkum. Evenburg Castle in Leer comprises the castle, park and outer bailey. Since May 2014, it has been open with a permanent exhibition on the life and work of an aristocratic family in the 19th century, and it also serves as a centre for garden culture. The three parts of the ensemble and the exhibition’s focus offer a distinctive way to experience Leer, bringing together architecture, aristocratic life and garden culture.

The Former Jewish School in Leer is a memorial and meeting place run by the district of Leer. Its purpose offers a different focus from the exhibition at Evenburg Castle: remembrance and encounters are central here. When choosing cultural attractions in Leer, you can therefore distinguish between subjects such as aristocratic domestic and working life, garden culture, and remembrance and encounters.

Haus Samson is also part of Leer’s history: the Amsterdam-style gabled house has adorned the old town since 1643. Public city tours include stops such as the old town hall, the historic weighing house and Haus Samson; the tour lasts 1.5 hours. For specific plans, it is a good idea to check the current tour dates. This allows you to include a guided city walk as a separate item on your itinerary.

The Bünting Tea Museum covers tea cultivation, production and preparation across two floors, as well as the history of East Frisia’s favourite drink. Another attraction is Leer’s museum harbour, which is open to the public free of charge all year round and is run and maintained by the Schipperklottje. Together, Leer’s attractions offer a range of cultural interests, while Brinkum itself remains the focus for hiking, cycling and local history.

Discover more destinations: Detern, Bingum, Leer, Holtland, Nortmoor, Neukamperfehn, Hesel, Uplengen

Back to the main travel overview: Leer.