On Hiddensee Island, there’s plenty to discover, from an extensive dune heath and beach trails to literary and church history. There’s also one important detail to keep in mind when planning your trip: Hiddensee can only be reached by water.
Dune Heath and Trails Through Varied Landscapes
The dune heath on Hiddensee is one of the last large coastal dune heaths on Germany’s Baltic coast. It covers 120 hectares between Vitte and Neuendorf and is crisscrossed by numerous small sandy paths. It also forms part of the European protected area “Westrügensche Boddenlandschaft mit Hiddensee” (EU code DE 1544-302). The dune heath is therefore a clearly defined landscape with its own protected-area designation and a specific location on the island.
There are different landscapes to choose from for your hikes: Hiddensee has well-signposted and marked trails through forests and across meadows. Beach walks, by contrast, follow the coastline and offer views of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding islands. You can choose your focus depending on whether you’d rather walk through forests and meadows or take in the coastline and views over the water. Local conditions may vary, so factor them into your specific route planning.
The “De Lütt Küst” nature trail offers a named route with a precise location: it runs right next to the Hiddensee National Park House in Vitte. This makes it a specific point of reference, unlike the island’s more generally located hiking trails through forests and across meadows.
Getting There by Water
Hiddensee shipping company connects the island with Schaprode on Rügen and directly with Stralsund. Ferry timetables vary by season, so check them before you travel. Also consider the arrangements for cars: private car traffic is not permitted on Hiddensee. Guests have two large car parks in Schaprode, one at the entrance to the town with a shuttle service and one right at the harbour. Parking options and fees may change, so check the latest information before setting off. The ferry connection and car arrangements in Schaprode are two separate things to take care of before departure.
Literary and Church History
In Kloster on Hiddensee, the Gerhart Hauptmann House presents a permanent exhibition about the poet’s life and work and his relationship with Hiddensee. It also features works created there and current theatrical productions of Hauptmann’s plays. The exhibition thus connects the writer’s life and work with his ties to the island and his influence on the stage.
The Hiddensee Island Church offers a different historical perspective. Monks from the Cistercian monastery built it in the early 14th century, and it was consecrated in 1332. While the Gerhart Hauptmann House explores literature and theatre, the church points to the island’s medieval history. Together, these places highlight two distinct cultural themes that can help guide your choice of activities alongside hiking and landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Neuenkirchen, Rambin, Trent, Kluis, Schaprode, Gingst, Dreschvitz, Ummanz
See the broader travel overview: Amt West-Rügen.
