Nieby and the Geltinger Birk: Trails and Nature

The Geltinger Birk nature reserve covers around 773 hectares in parts of Nieby and Gelting. If you are planning a holiday in Nieby, you can choose between nature watching, circular walking trails and a longer cycling or hiking route through the Birk.

Landscape and nature watching

Habitats include beaches, lagoons, salt marshes, coastal forests and cliffs, as well as heathland, dry grassland, fens and transitional mires. The Birk therefore brings together a wide range of coastal, open-land and wetland habitats.

During bird migration, you can watch birds from Mühle Charlotte, the Beveroe Bridge and the Krötenweg near Falshöft. Guided experiences cover the Birk’s flora and fauna, seasonal bird and frog watching, and discovering fossils and stones on Falshöft beach.

Walking trails and cycling routes

You can walk from Nieby through the Birk to Bevereoe; cattle can be seen grazing along some sections. There are five circular walking trails for exploring the Birk. In addition, an approximately 12-kilometre developed walking and cycling path runs around the Birk between the entrances, mostly along the dike.

A guided cycling tour around or through the Geltinger Birk includes the Falshöft lighthouse. It covers around 14 kilometres and takes three and a half hours. This distinguishes it from the walking trails through its guided cycling format and stated duration. Since tour formats and route details can change, check the information before planning your trip.

Station, orientation and getting there

Since 2003, the Geltinger Birk Integrated Station has been housed in a former pilot’s house in Falshöft, Nieby. The nature station serves as a regional contact point for people interested in nature and species conservation. An exhibition explores the history and development of the Birk. Maps for finding your way around the nature reserve are available at the station and at nearby tourist information offices; check availability before relying on them for your route.

Parking is available at the entrances to the Birk. You can plan your journey by public transport via nah.sh; check connections for your travel date. From Flensburg or Kappeln, the route to the Falshöft lighthouse follows the B 199 to Gelting, then continues via Pommerby towards Nieby. If travelling by car, take current traffic conditions into account.

In the Birk, stay on the marked paths and keep dogs on a short lead. Trail conditions can also change; check them before your visit if they are important for your plans.

More places to visit in Schleswig-Flensburg

In the wider travel destination of Schleswig-Flensburg, Haithabu and the Danewerk are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites; they have held this status since June 2018. In Idstedt, the historic memorial site and museum provide information about German-Danish history surrounding the uprising of 1848 and the Battle of Idstedt.

Discover more destinations: Rabel, Quern, Hasselberg, Steinberg, Pommerby, Esgrus, Steinbergkirche, Stangheck

Go to the wider travel guide: Geltinger Bucht.