Herzlake - Haselünne
Stage 8
At this stage, the saying is: "Always follow the Hase". Most of the route runs along the river Hase, the Ems' most important tributary. The Hase rises at Melle and flows into the Ems at Meppen.
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The river was straightened and sealed until the 1980s, which produced consequences for nature. The Haseauenverein is committed to renaturing and revitalising the Hase to ensure the habitat for numerous animal and plant species is preserved and restored. A highlight of this section is the Biberlehrpfad (Beaver Trail) near Andrup and the Haselünne juniper grove. This is located in the centre of the Haselünner Kuhweide nature reserve and constitutes the largest continuous juniper grove in northwestern Germany. This 72-hectare area consists of pristine, partially impenetrable juniper thickets as well as individual shrubs and is particularly beautiful during the heather flowering season.
The ancient pasture landscape has always been a site for grazing in order to preserve its typical character. Today, sheep and wild horses, re-bred from the extinct Tarpan breed, are used for this. Hikers can experience the horses in their enclosure up close with the help of installed fence steps. The adjoining Lake Haselünne, an approximately 20-hectare excavation lake, invites you to stay a while and catch your breath. This stage also has a great deal to offer in urban terms, with the more than 1000-year-old town of Herzlake, featuring the Kulturbahnhof and the Church of St. Nicholas which contains a baptismal font from the 12th century. On the other hand, the Hünenweg crosses the through the Hanseatic city of Haselünne, which is known primarily for its traditional grain distilleries.
