Discover Filsum: Village Centre, Moor and Stork Route

Filsum combines a historically distinctive village centre with nature and route-related attractions. These different themes offer a range of options for planning your trip.

Village Character and Church Art

The old village centre is considered a typical East Frisian clustered village, with historic farmhouses. Two aspects offer different perspectives on local history: the overall settlement pattern and individual historic details in St. Paul’s Church. The altar dates to around 1500, while the pulpit bears the inscription “Anno 1660”. The date given for the altar is approximate; the pulpit’s year is recorded as an inscription. The village character and church art thus offer different points of connection with the past.

Moorland and Circular Walk

Filsum Moor is the remnant of a genuine raised bog. A five-kilometre circular trail runs around the moor. Along the route, you can see peat layers that have accumulated over about 3,000 years and reach a thickness of approximately three metres. The five-kilometre circular walk thus spans a landscape shaped by around 3,000 years of accumulation. Protected hedgerows provide habitats for birds and small animals.

Stork Route and Choice of Distance

The Stork Route is 33 kilometres long and is considered well signposted and family-friendly. Along the way, there are nine information boards, stork nests and a nest model; the route also includes a viewing tower and a telescope. Filsum Moor and Filsum Westerende are close to the Stork Route. The five-kilometre circular walk around the moor and the 33-kilometre Stork Route are very different in length. You can weigh up the distance alongside the focus of each route: moorland on one, information boards and stork-related sights on the other.

Getting Around and Other Activities

The nearest railway stations for the Stork Route are Augustfehn and Leer. For your specific journey, it is advisable to check current connections. A hand-operated ferry links Filsum and Holtland across the Holtlander Ehetief for cyclists and pedestrians. Check the latest ferry information before planning your trip, too.

Equestrian sport is also part of Filsum’s appeal: an equestrian centre with a large indoor arena and outdoor facilities hosts high-level competitions. This adds a distinct sporting attraction to the historic and scenic sights. The themes that matter to you may also play a part in choosing a hotel for your stay in Filsum.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Leer

The wider destination of Leer offers further cultural attractions. Schloss Evenburg in Leer is a cultural monument of more than regional significance and comprises the castle, park and outer bailey. Since May 2014, it has been open with a permanent exhibition on the life and livelihood of an aristocratic family in the 19th century; it also serves as a centre for garden culture. Public guided tours of Leer last an hour and a half and include sights such as the old town hall, the historic weigh house and Haus Samson. Haus Samson is an Amsterdam-style gabled house that has adorned Leer’s old town since 1643.

Discover more destinations: Ostrhauderfehn, Leer, Firrel, Bunde, Weener, Detern, Uplengen, Westoverledingen.

Go to the wider travel overview: Leer.