You gotta admit Lower Saxony has some pretty cool places to visit and Emstek is one of them. Found only a few kilometers east of Cloppenburg, Emstek is a right fit if you love the outdoors. Couch potatoes, this town isn’t your kind of place. ;-)
Emstek is lucky enough to have its own jungle. Really, it does. Known as the Baumweg or Tree Way, you can walk for a good hour and still be shaded by tall oversized trees and runaway vines.
If you rather be out in the bright sunshine, then the Halener Badesee is perfect. Its sandy beaches attracts not only locals, but sunbathers from all over the region. C’mon, grab your sunscreen and splash away!
For a blend of water and forest come see the Ahlhorner Fischteiche. What? Look, you don’t have to pronounce it, just follow the map that will take you along the many walking trails past some forty lakes and ponds. This is an awesome place to forget about everyday stress, spending quality time with yourself.
While you’re out and about, look for the Kokenmühle, used as far back as 1540 as a corn mill. It’s right by the Seerosenschlatt (again, don’t have to say it, just see it). This little piece of natural made moorlands was created from the last ice age and is now a protected area for plants and animals.
Another outdoor place is the Gogericht auf dem Desum. It was used as some kind of 17th century court and now you’ll find all sorts of outdoor activities going on instead.
If you want to come inside, then visit both the church of St. Johannes (built 1616) or the even older St. Margaretha. OK, technically she’s not as old but, the original church was put here in 855, then she was rebuilt in 1159, and again in the 1860’s. Her last facelift created a basilica style church with lots of stained glass.
There are a few other old churches that are worth seeing just for their artwork alone. Then get right back outside for a horseback ride.
Can you think of a better way to end the day?
