A sea of purple
Heather season: when summer is at its height, the first of millions of tiny flowers begin to open, covering the landscape in a vibrant purple.
A violet shimmer spreads over the sandy soil, dotted with green juniper, birch and pine. Come for a walk, a cycle ride or a horse-drawn carriage tour – and take in the sweeping cultural landscape from morning mist to sunset.
As far as the eye can see
A patchwork of purple
Between the Elbe and the Aller rivers, the flat ridges, wetlands, river plains and plateaus form the Lüneburg Heath Nature Park. The best views are arguably from Wilseder Berg – at 169 metres, the region’s highest point – though other hills in the surrounding Südheide Nature Park offer variety, too. Further afield, more than 40 heathland areas await discovery in Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony): from the coastal Cuxhavener Küstenheide to Itterbeck Heath on the Dutch border and Nemitz Heath in the Wendland region – and even the Wangerooge Heath, right on the North Sea island of Wangerooge.
When the heath hums
The heather blooming season is also a peak activity time for bees. Millions of humming honeybees gather nectar for the rich, aromatic heather honey – prized since Roman times and throughout the Middle Ages. In some places, you can still see historical skep beekeeping using straw hives. Be sure to try the old-fashioned comb honey while you’re there – or during one of the heather blossom festivals across the region, where it’s long been tradition to crown a Heath Queen. In Amelinghausen, there’s even a male counterpart: the ‘Heath Buck’.
Quiet paths through lilac landscapes
When you walk through Lüneburg Heath, you’ll experience the landscape in its purest form – gentle hills, ancient woodland, gnarled juniper trees and vast expanses of purple heather. Clearly marked walking paths lead through historical villages, past flocks of moorland sheep and idyllic moors.
The ‘Path of the Heath Queens’ (Pfad der Heideköniginnen) runs between the two most famous crowning towns – Amelinghausen and Schneverdingen – while the St James Way follows an ancient pilgrimage route. The heath offers something for walkers of all abilities. And the view from Wilseder Berg boasts a panorama you won’t soon forget.
A true highlight is the Heideschleifen (Heath Loops). These well-signposted circular routes take you along natural paths through the most scenic corners of the Lüneburg Heath – perfect for day outings or relaxed half-day walks.
A true highlight
These well-signposted circular routes take you along natural paths through the most scenic corners of the Lüneburg Heath – perfect for day outings or relaxed half-day walks.
August to September
So when exactly does the heather bloom? According to an old rule of thumb, from 8 August to 9 September – though depending on how warm or wet the summer has been, the first purple blooms can appear as early as July, and others can last into late September. Since every heath area develops differently, you can always check the current status online via the Heather Blossom Barometer.
