At Timmeler Meer, swimming and water sports take center stage; the museum, windmills and hiking trails offer other ways to explore Großefehn. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to spend more time by the water, exploring fen culture or being active on different trails.

Water at Timmeler Meer

Timmeler Meer covers 25 hectares and offers opportunities for swimming, motorboating and other water sports. There is also a pedal boat and motorboat rental service at the marina on Timmeler Meer. The water-based activities therefore include both things to do on the lake and two specific types of boat rental; the rental service is expressly located at the marina.

When planning, it is worth distinguishing between these options: swimming and water sports take place on Timmeler Meer, while pedal boats and motorboats are rented at the marina. Since rental services may change, check the current conditions locally. It is also a good idea to check local operating conditions before visiting for other activities on the water.

Fen culture and windmills

The “Eiland” Fen Museum in Westgroßefehn explores the transformation from raised bog to today’s cultivated landscape, as well as the history of sailing in the East Frisian fen areas. These two subjects offer different perspectives: one focuses on landscape development, the other on maritime history. Together, they provide a cultural and historical introduction to the fen areas without requiring visitors to have a particular excursion in mind.

The windmills are also part of Großefehn’s history: of the 19 that once stood here, five thatched, functioning gallery Dutch windmills remain today. Comparing the former and current numbers shows how the mills have changed over time. Together with the museum, the mills offer another way to explore regional history, this time through preserved buildings that are still operational. If you are deciding which cultural topics to focus on, you can distinguish between what the museum presents and the windmills as architectural heritage.

Hiking trails and a garden

There are four hiking trails of varying lengths in the health resorts of Timmel and Westgroßefehn. They are accessible with a rollator and wheelchair or have a signposted accessible alternative route. This distinction matters when choosing a suitable trail: check the current trail conditions before setting out and, if necessary, use the designated alternative route.

The garden “Thedas Tuun” has a wetland habitat that provides a protected environment for animals and plants. Visitors can learn more about the flora and fauna on guided group tours. If you are planning to join a tour, register in advance and check the current dates with the garden. This lets you tailor your garden visit to your interest in plants and wildlife, while the hiking trails offer another way to spend time outdoors.

In the wider Aurich destination

In the wider Aurich destination, the Fehntjer Tief Nature Conservation Station works to preserve the natural and cultural landscape of “Fehntjer Tief.” It is also an extracurricular environmental education center and a place for community engagement and public outreach. This topic adds environmental education and landscape conservation to Großefehn’s local highlights, while remaining explicitly within the Aurich destination.

In spring and summer, students and visitors can experience the plants and birdlife of Fehntjer Tief’s wet meadows on walking or cycling tours. If you would like to include these nature-watching opportunities, spring and summer are the stated times of year. The nature conservation station is also home to a listed Gulfhaus: the building is a typical East Frisian farmhouse dating from 1843 and adds a cultural and historical example to the focus on nature.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Timmel, Strackholt, Hinte, Rechtsupweg, Aurich, Norden, Hage, Dornum.

Back to the destination overview: Aurich.