As of: May 2nd, 2024 2:00 p.m
The region near Oldenburg attracts with large rhododendron parks that are in full bloom in May and June. Water sports enthusiasts appreciate the Zwischenahner Meer, and the region is also ideal for cycling.
Well-kept parks and beautiful gardens, moor, heath, forest and meadows: The Ammerland in the northwest of Lower Saxony, around the Zwischenahner Meer, is diverse. People once lived on the country’s third largest inland lake by mining peat. Today, horticulture, tourism and the spa business in Bad Zwischenahn are important sources of income.
Rhododendron breeding center
Rhododendrons are in full bloom in May and June.
The mild climate and the moorland provide ideal conditions for growing rhododendrons. Over the decades, dozens of tree nurseries have set up in Ammerland, most of which deal with these plants and some of which operate parks themselves. Westerstede, the only town in the district, is considered the German rhododendron metropolis with its numerous tree nurseries. Some of the rhododendron parks have been in families for more than 100 years. When the flowering period begins at the end of April/beginning of May, many parks are open to visitors.
Lush blossoms in the Hobbie and Gristede rhododendron parks
Rhododendronpark Hobbie
Alpenrosenstraße 7
26655 Westerstede (Petersfeld)
Tel. (04488) 22 94
Opening time: all year round
more information on the park website
Rhododendronpark Gristede
Gristeder Street 27
26215 Wiefelstede
Opening time: all year round
more information on the park website
Park of Gardens
Elmendorfer Straße 40
26160 Bad Zwischenahn (Rostrup)
Opening time: until October
more information on the park website
The Hobbie family’s private rhododendron park in Westerstede-Petersfeld is considered one of the most beautiful and largest in Europe. The partly exotic coniferous and deciduous trees include a number of varieties from our own and external breeding as well as wild species. The largest specimens are up to twelve meters high. A two and a half kilometer long circular route with a forest nature trail guides visitors through the facility. If you want to see even more, you can roam the 70 hectare site on a ten kilometer long network of paths. There is an entrance fee during the flowering period.
The Gristede Rhododendron Park is located in the neighboring town of Wiefelsfelde. More than 1,000 azaleas and rhododendrons grow there between Chinese sequoia trees, rare Japanese maples and dogwood plants such as cornelian cherries. Admission is free.
Park of Gardens: 40 themed gardens in one complex
The Park of Gardens shows model gardens with different focuses.
There are also numerous rhododendrons in the 14 hectare gardens in Bad Zwischenahn. In addition, more than 40 professionally designed themed gardens offer lots of ideas for your own property. A two and a half kilometer long circular path leads past various types of native and exotic plants, a large rhododendron park and a collection of woody plants. In 2002, the first Lower Saxony state horticultural show took place on the site. There is a fee to enter the park.
In summer, private garden owners in Ammerland also regularly invite people to open garden days. Visitors can be inspired by the beautiful facilities.
Zwischenahner Meer as a tourist center
The open-air museum shows, among other things, an original Ammerland farmhouse.
The Zwischenahner Meer, with the state-recognized moor spa Bad Zwischenahn, forms the tourist center of the region. The oldest open-air museum in Germany is located in the spa park, which borders the lake. It was set up around 1910. The complex consists of a small village with 17 thatched houses and outbuildings – from the blacksmith shop to the hay house – and conveys the regional living culture of bygone times. A special gem of the Ammerländer Bauernhaus open-air museum is a functioning windmill, a two-story gallery Dutchman from 1811.
When strolling through Bad Zwischenahn, the St. John’s Church from 1124 and the 40 meter high water tower, which offer a panoramic view of the region, are also worth a visit. Despite the gusty winds, the lake is a popular area for sailors and windsurfers. Motorboats are generally prohibited there – with the exception of the “White Fleet” excursion steamers.
By bike on the Ammerland route and Rhododendron route
There are numerous signposted cycle paths in the region.
The flat to slightly hilly landscape is ideal for cycling. On the 164 kilometer long Ammerland route, cyclists can get to know the park landscape and its numerous sights. The circuit is marked with green and white directional signs every 500 to 1,000 meters in both directions. At stops at five observation towers – so-called landscape windows – along the route, cyclists can find out about a typical element of the landscape: mills, Geestrand, rhododendrons, hedgerows and water.
Another popular route is the Rhododendron Route. The circular tour can start in Bad Zwischenahn, Wiefelstede or Westerstede. It leads past the three large and particularly beautiful rhododendron parks Hobbie, Gristede and Park der Gardens. The Ammerland-Touristik website presents further routes.
Lots of options for active holidays
If you want to enjoy the landscape while doing other sporting activities, you have numerous options: many routes in the large cycle path network are also suitable for inline skaters. Nordic walking circuits are available for sporty walkers. There are also two golf courses and several riding stables in Ammerland.
Regional specialities
The most popular Ammerland specialties are smoked ham and smoked eel. The fish have been caught in the Zwischenahner Meer for centuries and eaten with the fingers as “Smoortaal” in the traditional way. If you want to fortify yourself on the way, you can take a break at a “Mölkhus”, a milk rest stop. Country women sell dairy products in the small wooden houses, and sometimes it is also possible to visit the farm.
Map: Parks in Ammerland
Further information
The lake northwest of Oldenburg offers many recreational opportunities. The health resort of Bad Zwischenahn is located on the south bank. more
In May, thousands of rhododendrons bloom again in Ammerland. A bike tour takes you to beautiful gardens and large parks. more
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Hello Lower Saxony | May 12, 2023 | 19:30 o’clock