Rund um Ems und Dollart

The first part of this tour leads along the "International Dollard Route" from Leer via Ditzum to Petkum. From Petkum, it then goes via the villages of Oldersum, Tergast and Neermoor and back to Leer.

In the Ems village of Jemgum lies the historic Alba House, which was built in 1567 and is named after Duke Alba. The village is characterized by the tower of the Kreuzkirche and the Galerieholländer. Along the route, you cycle through various small villages. A particular highlight is the wind-powered Wynhamster Kolk watermill from 1804.

In Dyksterhusen, a path leads to the former drilling platform, which offers an impressive view of Dollart Bay. The Dollart is one of the last brackish water 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 will reach the fishing village of Ditzum. Here you can take a stroll through the picturesque village, where there are numerous idyllic spots to discover. In the village center is the Karktillke, a picturesque wooden bridge that leads to the Romanesque church from the 13th century. The Galerieholländer dating back to 1769 is also worth a short stop.

From the port in Ditzum, the Ditzum-Petkum ferry takes you safely across the Ems (timetable and fare information can be found here: https://www.landkreis-leer.de/faehre-ditzum-petkum). Once you arrive in Petkum, follow the Dollard Route for a short distance. You then leave this and the route takes you across the Ems side canal and through smaller villages such as Oldersum and Tergast.

The route offers a special insight into the tranquillity 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 tour.