Brinkum: Hiking, hedgerows and local history

Brinkum offers two very different ways to explore the area: trails through the hedgerow landscape and traces of its history. If you’d like to combine outdoor activity with little discoveries, you can include both in your travel plans. Whether hiking or cycling takes centre stage changes the character of the outing; the historical themes add a different dimension.

Hiking and cycling around Brinkum

The third stage of the Watten Route from Leer to Hesel passes Brinkum and Holtland on foot. If you’d like to explore the area on foot, you can consider this route section as a separate part of your plans. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

For a bike ride, the route to the cable ferry is another option: it leads through the hedgerow landscape around Brinkum and is suitable for cycling. The two options differ in how you travel: the third stage is described as a hiking route, while the route to the cable ferry is for cycling. This lets you plan your day around the activity you prefer.

History at Liddenweg and the old railway station

Archaeological excavations at Liddenweg uncovered the remains of an early medieval settlement that existed around 1000 AD. This offers a perspective reaching far back into Brinkum’s past and provides a tangible focal point for local history.

There are several places to sit at the rest area by the old railway station. An information board uses photographs to illustrate the history of the former station. The seating and photo display are at the same rest area: if you stop there for a break, you can also learn about the station’s history.

Hesel as an addition nearby

Hesel lies about five kilometres southwest of Brinkum. In the centre of Hesel, the more than 80-year-old Villa Popken houses the Tourist Information Office and serves as a meeting place for young and old. This adds another place with an information and community role nearby to the trails and historical themes in Brinkum.

Planning a holiday in Brinkum

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can weigh up these priorities: would you like your trip to focus mainly on hiking, cycling or local history? Start with the experiences that matter to you, then consider which location best suits your plans.

Leer too: culture and history

Leer, the wider travel destination, also has its own cultural highlights. Schloss Evenburg in Leer comprises a palace, park and outer bailey. Since May 2014, it has been open with a permanent exhibition on the life and business activities of an aristocratic family in the 19th century, as well as serving as a centre for garden culture. In the old town, the Amsterdam-style gabled house Haus Samson has been part of the cityscape since 1643.

Public guided tours of Leer last 1.5 hours and include, among other places, the old town hall, the historic weigh house and Haus Samson. The wider travel destination of Leer therefore offers both palace and garden culture and a guided walk of a set duration that takes in historic sights.

Discover more destinations: Hesel, Filsum, Neukamperfehn, Holtland, Bunde, Uplengen, Weener, Leer.

Back to the wider travel overview: Leer.