In Gorden-Staupitz, you can focus on a variety of themes: white storks, water, the village church and the craft of milling. When planning, it is worth taking a closer look at the route information: the stork tour is described by its stops and information boards, while the stork circular route is described by an approximate length and nests in both villages.
White Storks and Routes
Along the stork tour, six information boards cover threats to the white stork and the timing of bird migration. The tour includes Gorden, the Suden nature reserve, Staupitz and the Gordener Strand section at Grünewalder Lauch. This provides both the topics covered by the boards and several named stops to help you find your way. A picnic shelter on the route between Gorden and Staupitz offers a view of Gorden.
The stork circular route connects Gorden and Staupitz over approximately 22 kilometres. It passes through white stork habitat and by nests in both villages. So, if you are weighing up the route options, the available information differs in focus: the stork tour lists boards and stops, while the stork circular route gives an approximate length, the connection between the villages and the nests. No walking time is specified for the stork circular route; use the route length to plan your trip.
Guided nature experiences are also available: Harald Schneider takes visitors on foot or by bicycle through the nature park. His tours include nature reserves, former mining areas and traditional crafts. If you would like to plan a guided tour, check local availability in advance. This will help you decide whether a self-chosen route or a guided tour covering a variety of nature and cultural themes would suit your stay better.
Willow Cathedral and Village Church
The willow cathedral in Staupitz combines a community-built structure with nature-related themes: in 2012, it was built from 1,500 willow rods in the space of a week. Three information boards cover the meadow by the willow cathedral. At the Froschlausche pond site, the focus is on animal and plant life around water, meadows and hedges. Walks in nearby Grünhaus centre on rare plants and animals; examples include the yellow everlasting and the northern wheatear.
Staupitz village church was completed in 1717 as a broad, plastered hall church. Its furnishings include a white-painted pulpit altar dating from around 1832. The free-standing southern bell tower was added in 1888 and is partly made of brick and partly a timber structure with boarded cladding. In Gorden, the old stone cross is linked to local tradition: according to the tradition, it is an atonement cross from the 16th century.
Water and Milling
Swimming, rowing, surfing and sailing are possible at Grünewalder Lauch. A beach area on the north-west shore, with bungalows and caravan pitches, belongs to Gorden-Staupitz. The water activities and the information about the stork routes offer different starting points for planning an outing, without requiring you to combine both themes into a single activity.
Gorden Mill still uses electric power to grind grain from nearby farms. Visitors who buy flour there can learn about the milling trade. The mill thus adds a practical insight into local grain processing to the nature and cultural themes. You can choose from a range of interests: information about white storks, outings by the water, historic buildings and an insight into a traditional craft.
Discover more destinations: Sallgast, Mühlberg, Gröden, Sonnewalde, Elsterwerda, Lebusa, Wahrenbrück, Hohenleipisch
See the overview of the wider region: Elbe-Elster.
