In the far east of Lower Saxony, the Wendland holiday region lies directly on the border with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg. The holiday region on the Elbe attracts visitors above all with its beautiful nature.
The name Wendland can be traced back to the settlement by the Slavic people of the Wends. This is still evident today in many place names such as Kriwitz, Redemoißel or Dickfeitzen.
Characteristic of the Wendland are the Rundlingsdörfer (round villages), which are scattered across the landscape. The villages are characterised by houses whose gables face a circular village square. Behind the houses, fields and meadows open up in a wedge shape. Originally, only one road led in and out of Rundling villages. Of the approximately 200 Rundling villages in the region, about one hundred have been preserved in their characteristic form and often with historic buildings.
The Wendland holiday region offers a break away from mass tourism and overcrowded cities. The largest town in the region, the district town of Lüchow (Wendland), is home to only about 9300 people; other towns often have only a few hundred inhabitants. The Wendland impresses with its beautiful nature, which can be enjoyed in the Elbhöhen-Wendland Nature Park and Lower Saxony Elbtalaue Biosphere Reserve.
Holiday region Wendland – Tips
From Wittenberge in the Prignitz region, a fantastically beautiful cycle path leads along the Elbe, where you can follow in the footsteps of German-German history and also discover a unique natural landscape.
Schnackenburg, the smallest town in Lower Saxony, is located in the district of Lüchow-Dannenberg in the beautiful Wendland region. About 300 inhabitants live here.
Travel information about the Wendland
Arrival
By Public transport
The Wendland region is only partially accessible by public transport. If you are only travelling in the Lower Saxony area, you can use the Lower Saxony ticket of the Deutsche Bahn. It is important to note that some routes run through Salzwedel. Salzwedel is in Saxony-Anhalt and the Niedersachens Ticket is not valid there.
You can reach Dannenberg, Hitzacker, Uelzen, Salzwedel and Schnega by regional train. Buses run from Uelzen and Salzwedel to Lückow. Please note that at weekends some buses only run on request. If demand is low, taxis run at the bus fare.
By car
Many places, especially small ones, are best reached by car. Numerous country roads lead through the region.
By bike
There is a well signposted bicycle network in the region.
On foot
The European Long Distance Trail E 6 runs from north to south through the Wendland.
On the way in…
On foot
In the Elbtalaue-Wendland biosphere region, 10 circular hiking trails with different thematic focuses are signposted. The distances range from 4 to 25 kilometres. Those who like to hike longer distances can discover the region on the Elbhöhen-Weg, the Drawehn-Höhenweg or the Wendland-Querweg.
Elbe River Crossings
There are several Elbe ferries and bridges that allow you to cross the Elbe. Road bridges can be found at Dömitz and Wittenberge.
The ferries shuttle daily as needed.
Pevestorf to Lenzen:
weekdays: 6 -21 h (in winter only until 20 h)
Saturday, Sunday: 8-21 h (in winter only until 20 h)
Schnackenburg nach Lütkenwisch:
weekdays: 6 -21 h (in winter only until 20 h)
Saturday, Sunday: 8-21 h (in winter only until 20 h)