Dollart: Mudflats, Mills and Cycling

Wind, water and cycling give Dollart a distinctive character: at the Kiekkaaste, the mudflats take centre stage; at Wynhamster Kolk, landscape history and water technology come together; and the International Dollard Route continues via Ditzumerhammrich to the kolk. This gives you a basis for weighing up nature, architectural history and a specific connection to cycling when planning your trip.

Mudflats, tides and storm-surge history

The Dollart Bay was formed by several storm surges in the 13th or 14th century and today covers around 100 km². The Kiekkaaste observation tower stands on the edge of the Dollart mudflats. At low tide, wading birds and ducks search for food in the mud in front of the tower. The connection with the tide is specific: the feeding described takes place at low tide.

Wynhamster Kolk was formed in 1715 by a storm surge that breached the former dike and washed away the pastureland behind it. At 72 hectares, it was once the largest kolk in the Rheiderland. A kolk is a pond or lake; the 72 hectares refers to its former size. In contrast to the Dollart’s formation through several floods in the 13th or 14th century, the kolk is associated with a dated dike breach.

Mills and churches: technology and architectural history

The Wynhamster Kolk wind- and water-powered drainage mill in the village of Dollart was built in 1804. Its wind-driven sails power an Archimedean screw through a gear mechanism, which can lift up to 80 litres of water per second. Wynhamster Kolk therefore brings together two themes: the water’s storm-surge history and the technical use of wind power to lift water.

The Reformed church in Landschaftspolder was built in 1768 in the centre of Landschaftspolder, also in the village of Dollart. It is the only place of worship in the East Frisian polder areas. The church in Ditzumerverlaat has a small roof turret for the bells, which is rare in East Frisia. The two churches have different features: Landschaftspolder’s church has a special standing among the polder areas, while Ditzumerverlaat’s is notable for its rare bell detail.

Cycling route and tours from Ditzumerverlaat

The International Dollard Route passes through the dike-row settlement of Ditzumerhammrich, which belongs to the Dollart district of Bunde, and continues to Wynhamster Kolk. The paddle-and-pedal station is in Ditzumerverlaat; Ditzumerverlaat belongs to the village of Dollart and the municipality of Bunde. Depending on availability, tours from the station might include a trip to Ditzum with the return journey by bicycle. Check availability before your trip. The two details refer to different destinations: the route goes via Ditzumerhammrich to Wynhamster Kolk, while the tour example from the station mentions Ditzum and a return by bike.

Bunde as additional regional context

The wider travel destination of Bunde has further historic buildings and points of interest. Bunde Mill was built in 1869 and extended in 1911 into a four-storey gallery Dutch mill with an octagonal upper structure and a brick base. The Dollart Museum is located at Rheiderlandstraße 3 in Bunde.

The Evangelical Reformed Church of Bunde, formerly St Martin’s Church, stands in the centre of Bunde. Its nave dates from the early 13th century; the other parts were built in several phases. The transept and rectangular choir display Romanesque-Gothic stylistic elements. In the Dollart Nature and Cultural Park, old dikes, mills, dike sluices and other historic features are signposted; visitors can explore and visit them by bicycle.

Discover more destinations: Bunderhee, Boen.

For the wider travel overview: Bunde.