Discover Kleve: Eider, Geest and routes

Westermoor, Hehm and Nordfeld in the Eider lowlands are among Kleve’s settlements. A gentle rise marks the transition from Geest to marshland in Kleve. For cycling travellers, the Eider Experience Route is a clear starting point: it leads from Kleve via Schlichting to Lunden.

Water and landscape

The Eider dike near Nordfeld was built in 1937 and continues to regulate the water level of the Middle Eider. This means that water management is also a focus alongside the lowland landscape. In the Eider administrative district, river landscapes, moors, marshland, Geest and forests shape the scenery. The gentle rise in Kleve marks the transition from Geest to marshland; here, the two landscape types can be distinguished by a specific change in elevation.

Klev, Klev slope and HISTOUR

Near St. Michaelisdonn lies the Klev and Donn Landscape Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It covers just under twelve hectares of the Klev slope, which has been designated a nature reserve since 1962. The fossil sea cliff Klev rises more than 30 metres above the adjacent lowlands. Several stops along the Klev slope are part of the HISTOUR route. The historic Hoper Mill Edda stands in Hopen on the old cliff known as “Klev”. The Klev and Donn landscape attracts hikers, cyclists and riders.

Cycling and hiking

The Eider Experience Route leads from Kleve via Schlichting to Lunden. A hiking trail leads from the draisine station to Klev and back via Hopen. A circular route to the Bismarckstein and Spiekerberg viewpoints near Donner Kleve also starts at the draisine station. When planning, pay attention to the precise place name: the viewpoints are associated with Donner Kleve, while the Eider Experience Route starts in Kleve. The tours described therefore differ as well: the cycle route continues via Schlichting to Lunden; the hiking trails lead towards Klev, Hopen or the viewpoints. Check route conditions and local signage before setting out.

Getting here and local dining

St. Michaelisdonn railway station is a starting point for cycling travellers arriving by train. If you plan your journey around it, check the timetable and current route information in advance. The Eider and its tributaries are considered fishing waters in the wider Dithmarschen area. The Dithmarscher Hof is listed in Kleve as an inn serving German and regional cuisine. Check whether it is open before your trip.

Dithmarschen as a wider travel destination

The wider Dithmarschen travel destination offers additional cultural and nature-related attractions. The Dithmarschen State Museum in Meldorf explores 1,200 years of Dithmarschen—from the wealth of the peasant republic to rural everyday life in the 1960s. The Dithmarschen Stone Age Park offers hands-on activities such as flint knapping, archery, making Stone Age jewellery, fire-making and bread baking; the programme may vary. Along the Dithmarschen coast, knowledgeable National Park mudflat guides lead guided walks across the mudflats. At low tide, the diverse life of the Wadden Sea becomes visible. Dates and tides may affect your plans, so it is worth checking the latest information.

Discover more destinations: Welmbüttel, Hedwigenkoog, Hennstedt, Hemme, Karolinenkoog, Barlt, Wesselburen, Arkebek.

For the wider travel overview: Dithmarschen.