In the rollercoaster of the tides

Diverse landscape at a glance

If you stand on the beach in Cuxhaven-Döse, you can look out over all three German Wadden Sea National Parks: Cuxhaven's landmark, the Kugelbake, is the north-easternmost point of the "Lower Saxony mudflat Sea" National Park. On the other side of the Elbe lies the "Schleswig-Holstein mudflat Sea" National Park. The island of Neuwerk and its surrounding mudflats belong to the "Hamburg Wadden Sea" National Park.

The Cuxhaven coastal landscape is varied and offers excellent opportunities to enjoy nature. The tidal flats consist mainly of sand and mixed mudflats and are therefore easy to walk on, unlike mudflats. Hundreds of thousands of people walk in the Cuxhaven mudflats every year, many of whom also do the good three-hour walk along the mudflat path to the island of Neuwerk.

A special feature of the Cuxhaven North Sea coast is that in some areas dikes are unnecessary. Namely, where the glacial geest forms natural ridges that protect against flooding, such as the Geestkliff between Sahlenburg and Duhnen. A coastal heath, the so-called "Duhner Heath" (part of the national park since 2001), has developed on the sandy soil. A viewing platform provides an impressive panoramic view of the heath landscape and the mudflat Sea. The "Duhner Heath Discovery Trail" offers special insights into the diversity of nature and landscape on descriptive panels. The transition to the mudflats is formed by the "Duhner Anwachs", a salt marsh that often serves as a resting place for thousands of birds. Birdwatchers will find excellent observation opportunities here.

If you walk or cycle further south, an extensive forest area borders the mudflat Sea, the Wernerwald, which was created in the 19th century.

The UNESCO mudflat Sea World Heritage Visitor Centre in Cuxhaven-Sahlenburg

The UNESCO World Heritage mudflat Sea Visitor Centre in Sahlenburg is the place to go for anyone who wants to find out more about the National Park and the Cuxhaven muaflat Sea area. It was established in 1989 through the sponsorship of the city of Cuxhaven and is funded by the state of Lower Saxony. In 2011, the National Park Centre became one of the two UNESCO World Heritage mudflat Sea Visitor Centres located in Germany. Since its opening, more than one million people have already visited it. From spring to autumn, the centre is very busy, with school classes (approx. 10,000 pupils per year) and holidaymakers taking advantage of the various events on offer. Locals also like to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the National Park "on their own doorstep" through the exhibition or events of the UNESCO mudflat Sea World Heritage Visitor Centre.

The best and most popular way to get to know the Lower Saxony mudflat Sea National Park is to go on excursions to see the flora and fauna of the mudflat Sea. These are offered depending on the weather and tide and usually lead to the Sahlenburg mudflats. These excursions include learning how to correctly interpret signs of life on the mudflats, how to hold a lugworm in your hand or how to observe a cockle burrowing back into the mud. In summer, you can also visit the salt marshes or the adjacent coastal heath. The special features of the respective habitats are explained in detail. Microscopy events take place after the mudflat excursion and always amaze the audience.

UNESCO World Heritage Site
mudflat Sea Visitor Centre Cuxhaven
Nordheimstr. 200, 27476 Cuxhaven-Sahlenburg
phone 0 47 21 / 700 70 400
mail: wattbz@cuxhaven.de

Opening hours and house flyer

(Source: mudflat sea national park )