Public tours of Walsrode Monastery focus on two periods: the monastery’s more than 1,000-year history and the present-day life of the Christian women’s community. From April 1 to October 31, tours take place daily except Mondays at 3 p.m. As the seasonal schedule may change, it is advisable to check the current time before your visit. The monastery is located on the Jacobusweg Lüneburger Heide pilgrimage route. Those interested in monastic history or pilgrimage routes will find two different points of connection here.

Bird Park: Species Diversity and a Circular Trail

Weltvogelpark Walsrode covers 24 hectares and is home to 4,000 birds from 650 different species. A flight show, described as Europe’s largest, takes the audience on a journey around the world. Show times may vary, so check the current schedule before planning your visit. A 4-kilometer circular trail winds through the park landscape and offers a practical guide to planning your route within the park.

Two Different Routes

For a longer circular hike, the 16-kilometer “Löns” trail (RWW 8) leads from Walsrode past the Löns grave, Tietlingen and Meinerdingen, before returning to Walsrode. The two routes differ considerably in length and course: the 4-kilometer circular trail runs through the landscape of Weltvogelpark, while the “Löns” trail connects several named stops on a loop. If you plan to take the longer route, bear in mind that trail conditions may change and check them in advance.

Rischmannshof Heath Museum: Rural History and Buildings

Rischmannshof Heath Museum traces the development of rural life in the Lüneburg Heath. The attic also houses a section on local history and a Hermann Löns room. The museum was established in 1912 and is one of Germany’s oldest open-air museums. Among its historic buildings is a staircase granary dating from 1669, which was relocated to the museum. The bakehouse from Südkampen, built in 1752, is the focal point of the annual baking days. The museum thus brings together the region’s development, local history and specific historic buildings.

More Places to Explore in the Heidekreis

The Heidekreis, a wider travel destination, offers additional, distinct attractions. The German Tank Museum in Munster presents an exhibition of more than 150 large exhibits across five halls covering more than 10,000 square meters. At Heide Park in Soltau, Colossos, Krake and Scream are among the Big 7; Peppa Pig Land offers gentle rides and family entertainment for younger children. For a different kind of experience, Serengeti Park offers a 10-kilometer safari drive in your own car through the Serengeti Safari. The regional attractions vary in theme and format: exhibitions, rides and safari drives each offer a different focus.

Discover more destinations: Siedlung Am Krummen Winkel, Gilten, Ahlden (Aller), Bomlitz, Rethem, Frankenfeld, Schwarmstedt, Behringen.

See the overview of the wider region: Heidekreis.