The municipality of Bispingen lies in the central Lüneburg Heath, around 15 kilometres northeast of Soltau, near Exit 43 of the A7 motorway and in the Heidekreis district of Lower Saxony. Large parts of the Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve lie within the municipality, including Wilseder Berg and Totengrund. The landscape, town centre and historic sites offer different starting points for planning your stay.

Landscape and Trails

Around Bispingen, the landscape is shaped by vast heathland, dense forests, gentle hills and clear streams. The Heidschnuckenweg trail passes directly through Bispingen. The heathland is sustainably managed with Heidschnucken sheep; in late summer, the blooming heather turns the Lüneburg Heath purple.

Wilseder Berg and Totengrund lie within the municipality. You can reach Totengrund only on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carriage. Signposted cycling routes run through the Lüneburg Heath, and bike rental stations and charging stations are available in and around Bispingen. When planning, you can choose between a hike, a bike tour and the special access to Totengrund.

Town Centre and Municipality

Bispingen’s historic town centre has shops, banks, restaurants and leisure activities. Besides the main village, the municipality also includes Behringen, Borstel in der Kuhle, Nieder- and Oberhaverbeck, Hörpel, Hützel, Steinbeck/Luhe, Volkwardingen and Wilsede. Bispingen therefore refers not only to the main village but also to the surrounding districts.

Church, Exhibitions and Adventure

The Ole Kerk was built in 1353 and is the oldest church in the former district of Soltau. Together with the old half-timbered rectory, the parish hall, the new rectory and mature trees, it forms an architectural ensemble. Concerts are held in Bispingen’s churches in summer. The Emhoff sheepfold hosts changing exhibitions about the Lüneburg Heath.

The adventure maze in Bispingen covers 2,800 square metres and is accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Most of the adventure paths can be bypassed. This sets the maze apart from the trails through the landscape: here, the maze itself and its branching paths take centre stage, while the surrounding area invites visitors to hike and cycle.

Seasonal Rides and Regional History

From July to September, the Heide-Express offers a historic train ride from Bispingen to Lüneburg. The seasonal Heide-Shuttle serves excursion destinations from July to October. The operating periods differ, so check the timetable if you are planning a ride.

Beyond Bispingen, the Heidekreis also offers historic destinations. The Hof der Heidmark in Bad Fallingbostel was built in 1642, dismantled in 1936 and rebuilt in the Liethwald forest. It is a listed building and one of the oldest buildings in the Heidekreis district. Walsrode Abbey is the oldest of the famous heathland monasteries. These examples add further historical themes in the Heidekreis to Bispingen’s own local history.

Discover more destinations: Steinbeck, Frankenfeld, Volkwardingen, Lindwedel, Essel, Böhme, Buchholz, Häuslingen.

Back to the main travel overview: Heidekreis.