Around Ems and Dollart

This route initially follows the "International Dollard Route" from Leer via Ditzum to Petkum. From Petkum, it continues through the towns of Oldersum, Tergast and Neermoor and back to Leer.

In the Ems village of Jemgum is the historic Albahaus, built in 1567 and named after Duke Alba. The place is characterized by the tower of the Cross Church and the gallery Dutch windmill. Along the route, you cycle through various small terp villages. A special highlight is the wind-powered water-lifting mill Wynhamster Kolk from 1804.

In Dyksterhusen a path leads to the former drilling platform from where you get an impressive view of the Dollart Bay. The Dollart is one of the last brackish tidal landscapes in Europe and serves as an important habitat for many bird species as well as a nursery for the North Sea.

After this detour, you reach the fishing village of Ditzum. Here a walk through the picturesque village invites you to discover numerous idyllic corners. In the village center is the Karktillke, a picturesque wooden bridge leading to the Romanesque church from the 13th century. Also, the gallery Dutch windmill from 1769 is worth a short stop.

From the harbor in Ditzum, the ferry Ditzum–Petkum safely takes you over the Ems (timetables and fare information can be found here: https://www.landkreis-leer.de/faehre-ditzum-petkum). Arriving in Petkum, you follow a short part of the Dollard Route. Then you leave it and the path leads over the Ems side canal and through smaller villages such as Oldersum and Tergast.

The route offers a special insight into the calm and vastness of East Frisia, especially in the open Hammrich landscape towards Neermoor. Only a few kilometers separate you from the starting point of the route.