The megalithic tombs in Schieringer Forest offer a glimpse into the region’s early cultural history: they were built between Barskamp and Walmsburg from 3000 to 2300 BC. A circular hiking trail leads from Walmsburg village square to the tombs. This links a specific route idea with a relic from the Neolithic period.
Stone Age Traces and Ice Age History
Another trace of the past can be found at the boulder circle near Breetze, in the Bleckede district. There, boulders bear witness to the Ice Age formation of the Elbe glacial valley. The circle is freely accessible, and parking is available. Check access details before your visit, as they may change. The megalithic tombs and boulders represent different chapters of the past: one site is about early burial places, the other about the geological history of the Elbe glacial valley.
Circular Trails and Outdoor Activities
Amelinghausen offers two trails of different lengths for walks and exercise. Lopausee lake and Lopaupark have a 2.2-kilometer circular trail for jogging, walking and Nordic walking. The Königinnen-Weg is an 11-kilometer circular trail around the heathland town of Amelinghausen. Comparing the trail lengths helps you choose: one loop is considerably shorter, while the other covers a longer distance around the town.
The route to the megalithic tombs in Schieringer Forest also combines exercise with a specific destination. It starts at Walmsburg village square and leads to the tombs. This means there are several ways to get out and about in the region: a circular trail at Lopausee lake, a longer loop around Amelinghausen and a route to an archaeological site.
Technology, Wildlife and Urban Culture
In Scharnebeck, the Lüneburg ship lift is an impressive feat of engineering: it is the largest ship lift of its kind in Germany. The Scharnebeck treetop adventure park offers a very different way to get active. Its platforms range from three to four meters high, reaching up to 15 meters; the park also features a 435-meter-long zipline course.
At the Biosphaerium Elbtalaue in Bleckede, nature is explored through exhibitions. The site includes an aquarium landscape, live beavers and more than 1,000 square meters of modern exhibition space. Visitors interested in animals and habitats will find a different focus here than at the technical attractions in Scharnebeck.
In Lüneburg, city and town hall tours showcase the historic atmosphere, with gabled and brick houses, old lanes and the picturesque waterside district. Lüneburg Water Tower has a viewing platform 56 meters up, with views across the city and surrounding area. The tower hosts high-caliber concerts at 8 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month and every full moon. Check the dates before your trip.
Festivals and Practical Information
The Heideblütenfest (Heather Blossom Festival) takes place every August in the Amelinghausen collective municipality. The program includes the crowning of the Heather Queen and a large festival parade. Dates and the program vary, so check the latest festival information if you would like to plan your trip around it.
To get to Amelinghausen, there is a bus service from Lüneburg Central Station: take bus 5700 toward Soltau to reach Amelinghausen bus station in about 35 minutes. Check the timetable before traveling. This helps you choose among the region’s cultural attractions, hiking trails and other experiences based on your interests and the available visit dates.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Lüneburg, Bleckede, Reinstorf, Amelinghausen, Lüdersburg, Handorf, Dahlenburg, Brietlingen, Adendorf, Embsen, Barendorf, Heiligenthal, Betzendorf, Neu Garge, Nahrendorf, Thomasburg, Artlenburg, Amt Neuhaus, Radbruch, Barum, Westergellersen, Bardowick, Melbeck, Barnstedt, Soderstorf, Neetze, Wendisch Evern, Vögelsen, Deutsch Evern, Hohnstorf (Elbe), Hittbergen, Reppenstedt, Rullstorf, Boitze.
Go to the overarching travel guide: Lower Saxony.
