The best walks and hikes around Apen

The wetlands near Leer in East Frisia are characterized by the river landscapes of the Ems and Leda rivers, as well as adjacent marshes and moors. They provide important habitats for rare meadow birds and are a significant recreational area.

The "Aper Tief" is a river that feeds a tidal area and a lake in Vreschen-Bokel/Holtgast. All together, it's a paradise for birds and ornithologists!

Drakamp Godensholt If you set out to explore the origins of the place name Godenholt, you'll quickly be immersed in the exciting, ancient mythological story that even inspired Hollywood to create a multi-part saga. Anthony Hopkins plays the one-eyed but wise god Odin, who directs history in Asgard and, in addition to his family, is surrounded by ravens. In South Germanic usage, Odin is called Wotan or Wodan. From medieval documents, we know that present-day Godensholt was referred to as "Wodansholte," so it can be assumed that a sacred forest dedicated to the god Wodan was once located at this ancient Stone Age settlement in the Apen community. The sound shift from W to G is not uncommon in the development of our language; it is also found in the word "Holte" (wood) to "Wald"

Aperberg viewing platform This place is dedicated to bird watching. Jörg Ridderbusch has positioned some colorful birds here as a reference to the diversity of the bird world. They sit at the foot of the viewing platform and attract attention. Their "fellows" show visitors what to do: look out over the lowlands and watch the birds through the telescope. During the breeding season in spring, bluethroats, marsh warblers, pond warblers and reed warblers can be observed here, as well as grasshopper warblers. In addition, the Aper lowlands are home to one of the few remaining inland breeding grounds for the redshank, which is otherwise only found on the coast.

Rest area Am Drakamp The rest area Am Drakamp is located in the district of Godensholt. A small bridge leads over the Aue river and further to the idyllically situated lake Am Drakamp. In the surrounding forest you can take relaxing walks in the beautiful nature.

Nowadays, they are rarely used for their original purpose, but are often just technical and historical monuments to a long tradition of craftsmanship: the heavy millstones inside were moved using the power of the wind as the driving force, for example to grind grain into flour (so-called grain mills) or to press oil from fruits (e.g. olives) (so-called oil mills). These old windmills are therefore the best proof that people were clever enough to harness the power of the wind a number of centuries ago - long before the discovery of electricity and the inventions that followed.

Great rest area with beautiful installation by Jörg Ridderbusch

Drakamp Schlatt is biologically unique, even if it just looks like a normal small pond. The Schlatt is well suited for hiking. It's more of an MTB route to get around. In any case, it's worth it just because of the plants on the banks that are typical of moors.