Altmarkkreis Salzwedel
Accommodation in Altmarkkreis Salzwedel
In Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, extensive cycling routes, distinctive natural landscapes and a rich cultural history come together. The Altmark Circuit runs through forests and meadows and past numerous brick and fieldstone churches. If you want to make your trip an active one, you can put the cycling route at its heart; other options include observing nature, visiting historic sites or enjoying activities by the lake. The kind of mix you have in mind can also help guide you when choosing a holiday apartment in the district.
Municipalities in Altmarkkreis Salzwedel
Photo: Schiwago at German Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Cycling the Altmark Circuit
The Altmark Circuit is almost 500 kilometres long and comprises ten stages. In Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, much of it runs close to the “Green Belt Germany” and connects nature, history and culture. The route passes through forests and meadows, and by numerous brick and fieldstone churches. The circuit therefore offers not just a long cycling route, but also varied impressions along the way.
The surfaces also vary: asphalt and track slabs give way to paved country and forest tracks, sandy farm tracks and quiet roads. This variety is an important consideration when planning your day. If you prefer riding on paved surfaces, those sections may be a bigger part of your plans; if you want to experience different types of paths, you will find those too in the mix described here. The ten stages give the circuit a structure, without requiring you to commit to any particular daily distance.
Experience nature in the Drömling
The UNESCO Drömling Biosphere Reserve includes areas of the municipalities of Klötze and the Hanseatic city of Gardelegen within Altmarkkreis Salzwedel. The Drömling has well-developed cycling and hiking trails, observation towers, information centres and guided nature-watching tours. You can explore this natural landscape in different ways: get active on the trails, or take time to observe wildlife from a tower or on a guided tour.
The Drömling is a habitat and resting place for many endangered animal species. These include the white stork, crane, white-tailed eagle, black stork, otter, beaver and European tree frog. Its biodiversity makes this natural landscape a distinct focus alongside the cycling and cultural attractions.
Traces of history and culture
You can also explore the Altmark through its megalithic tombs. Of the more than 200 megalithic tombs once found in the Altmark, 40 remain today in Altmarkkreis Salzwedel and eight in Stendal district. The “Western Altmark Megalithic Route” is part of the European cultural route “Megalithic Routes”. At the Langobardenwerkstatt Zethlingen, visitors can experience everyday life among the Lombards and take part in practical activities such as baking, making pottery and using a bow and arrow. This offers a different focus from the prehistoric burial sites: here, hands-on participation takes centre stage.
In Arendsee, the monastery church is considered the oldest fully vaulted brick building in north-eastern Germany. The Hanseatic city of Salzwedel also offers its own insight into architectural history: its city centre is characterised by medieval architecture, half-timbered houses, picturesque cobbled lanes and magnificent brick churches. Along the 1,850-metre-long city wall, you can discover parts of the medieval castle complex, gates and towers. If you enjoy alternating between city walks and nature experiences on a trip, you can weigh up these different themes when choosing where to stay.
A place for reflection in the surrounding area is the Feldscheune Isenschnibbe memorial, near the Hanseatic city of Gardelegen. It commemorates 1,016 concentration camp prisoners from many European countries who were murdered there in a field barn on 13 April 1945. The site includes a cemetery of honour where the victims of the massacre are buried. The documentation and visitor centre has a permanent exhibition that opened in 2020.
Lakeside activities and more places to visit
In Arendsee and its surroundings, swimming, sailing, surfing, fishing and boat trips are among the tourist activities on offer at the lake. The “Queen Arendsee” is a paddle steamer and has the state of Saxony-Anhalt’s only floating registry office. This means there are several ways to enjoy the lake: water sports, fishing or a sightseeing cruise. The “Fairy Tale Park and Fragrance Garden” in Salzwedel adds to the choice with themed gardens such as the Elven Realm, fairy-tale scenes and figures, and event spaces.
For further information about Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, find the individual towns and places here: Dähre, Apenburg-Winterfeld, Jübar, Arendsee, Kuhfelde, Klötze, Kalbe, Salzwedel, Gardelegen, Rohrberg, Beetzendorf, Wallstawe and Diesdorf.
For the broader travel overview: Saxony-Anhalt.
