Discover Rhaudermoor: Cycling, fenland culture and local insights

The 15-kilometre narrow-gauge railway tour leads through Rhaudermoor and along the Ostfriesland hiking trail. On foot or by bicycle, you can explore the characteristic fenland landscape of Rhaudermoor and Westrhauderfehn: canals, mills and white lifting bridges define this landscape. If you would like to take a break along the way, there is a freely accessible, covered shelter directly on the Ostfriesland hiking trail. It provides a sheltered resting place for walkers and cyclists.

Cycling, walking and sheltered rest stops

In the wider destination of Rhauderfehn, the narrow-gauge railway tour follows the Ostfriesland hiking trail and a former narrow-gauge railway line. It passes through Westrhauderfehn, Collinghorst, Rhaudermoor and Rhaude and is described as a day trip. For your planning, you can use the stated distance of 15 kilometres and its description as a day trip as a guide.

The shelter is also a specific landmark along the route: it stands right beside the hiking trail, is freely accessible and is covered. The resting place is explicitly intended for walkers and cyclists. The landscape, with its canals, mills and white lifting bridges, can be explored using either mode of travel; the sheltered break along the way complements these options without requiring a particular pace or route.

Local history and fenland culture

The name Rhaudermoor derives from the old farming community of Rhaude. Settlement along the edge of the moor began in Rhaude, long before the fen settlement was founded. The place name and early settlement are therefore connected historically: the history of the moorland edge goes back further than the creation of the fen settlement.

The Fehn Tour explores the area's architectural development. Using 16 information boards, you can learn how historic buildings around Westrhauderfehn and Rhaudermoor have changed over the years. Groups can also book a guided tour of the Fehn Tour. This offers a different perspective from the narrow-gauge railway tour: the focus here is on changes to historic buildings, whereas the latter is described as a day trip.

Farm visits and places to eat

Regular farm tours at Biolandhof Freese are available by prior request. The visit includes nearby fields and livestock. It also includes a tour of the greenhouses and fruit crops. If you are planning this insight into agricultural activities, request your visit in advance; tours are not available without prior request.

Plümer’s restaurant is centrally located in the Rhaudermoor district. It serves regional cuisine, a changing lunch menu and light snacks in the evening. The offerings therefore vary by time of day: a changing lunch menu is available at midday, while light snacks are served in the evening.

More activities in the wider destination of Rhauderfehn

In the wider destination of Rhauderfehn, the Rhauderfehn paddle-and-pedal station offers paddling on the Rote Riede. You can paddle upstream and downstream with the tide. Take the tide into account when planning, as it affects the direction of travel. Also in Rhauderfehn, on Batzenweg, is the farm shop at Biolandhof Freese. It sells produce from its own production as well as a basic range of organic products for everyday food needs. The available selection may vary.

For another perspective on the fenland landscape, the wider destination of Rhauderfehn offers the Wiekentour. This is a themed cycling route of around 22 kilometres, passing canals, lifting bridges and historic sites, and introduces cyclists to the history of moor colonisation. The Fehn and Shipping Museum Westrhauderfehn is located in the historic Villa Graepel in Westrhauderfehn, a district of the municipality of Rhauderfehn. Its collection is dedicated to fenland culture, shipbuilding, shipping and domestic culture.

Discover more destinations: Langholt

Back to the wider travel overview: Rhauderfehn.