Sylt - German Island adventure in a Day

WHY GO?

Sylt is an island located in the North Sea and home to the northernmost part of Germany. In Germany, Sylt has a reputation for being one of the most luxurious holiday destinations, therefore nicknamed the Caribbean of the North. However, we will focus on enjoying its breathtaking nature. As you explore the island's miles of hiking trails, you'll be treated to stunning views of the North Sea, rolling sand dunes, and breathtaking coastal scenery.

The hiking paths will lead us to historic lighthouses, traditional thatched-roof houses, and charming fishing villages. The best view of the island we will catch by trekking to the top of the highest sand dune - Uwe Dune. Along the way, we will enjoy the unique dessert landscape, that’s coloured in a purple-pink hue by the Heather flowers. The path winds through marshland, along cliffs, and to the crystal-clear water of the North Sea. Here, we will take a break on the beach to surf, swim or just soak up the sun. With a bit of luck, we might catch a glimpse of seals!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?

• Uwe Düne: A trail through heather, grasses and sand to the highest dune on the island, offering stunning views of the surrounding hills and the North Sea. From this vantage point, you can see the Wadden Sea to the east, the North Sea to the west, and the lush vegetation and charming villages of Sylt's interior to the south. On clear days, it is even possible to see as far as Denmark, which lies just across the sea.

• Westerland: The heart of Sylt. With its long sandy beach, bustling promenade, and lively shopping streets, Westerland is the cultural centre of Sylt. There are many restaurants and cafes to enjoy a meal, as well as bars for a drink in the evening. Even though it’s a popular tourist destination, the town has retained the charm of a fishing village with historic buildings and cottages.

• Lighthouses of Sylt: How do you justify the necessity for five lighthouses on one little island? Well, first of all Sylt is rather long and so the navigational aids that beam far out to sea are to be found in the southern- and northernmost tips in Hörnum and List, as well as the middle of the island in Kampen. Secondly the notorious shoals around Sylt can pose a bit of a challenge for even the most experienced of navigators – making navigational lights essential signals. Since the 1970s the facilities have been centrally controlled from the mainland. This however is not detrimental to their character as landmarks and general ability to upgrade your holiday photos: Sylts lighthouses give the island its radiance.

• Wenningstedt Strand: 4 km long beach line that is perfect for a beach holiday.

TRIP DETAILS

Start & End Date: Saturday, 20 July

Meeting location & time:

• Option A: Hamburg-Altona Train Station at 6:00am.
• Option B: Outside Westerland Train Station at 9:45 AM.
• Note: Exact meeting location in the train station will be advised in the whatsapp group for confirmed participants.

Finishing location & time:

• Option A: Hamburg-Altona Train Station at 11:30pm.
• Option B: Westerland Train Station at 8:00 PM.

Hiking distance:13 km - Red Cliff Hike to the tallest sand dune of the island - Uwe Düne. Beach time at Wenningstedt Strand and visit to Sylt Main Town (Westerland).

Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate – hiking at a relaxed pace on well-marked paths and on the beach. Little to no elevation, sure-footedness & good fitness required

Price: Starting from 25 euros (before any discounts)

What is Included?

• Community leader & guide for the entire duration (Guide speaks English & German). Note: English is the main language on this trip.

• Public transportation for the entire trip starting from the meeting location to the finishing location (based on ticket selection).
• Entry to the beaches (Kurtax)

• Access to a dedicated whatsapp group for this event to connect with other trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch (link to whatsapp group in the ticket).
• Access to a google photos album dedicated to this trip, where you can share all your amazing pics & videos.

How to get to Westerland Central Station?

• You can travel directly by train (RE 60) from Hamburg - Altona train station to Westerland Train Station (Sylt). Additionally, there are direct flights to Hamburg from most European cities.

WHAT IS THE PLAN ?

Red Cliff Hike to Uwe Düne: After meeting your guide either in Hamburg - Altona train station, we catch train to Westerland which is the starting point of our hike, Here we will hike on the Red Cliff through dune landscapes to Kampen and climb the highest dune of the island (Uwe Düne), which offers a great view of the North Sea. The path leads to the Red Cliff lighthouse and winds back along the beach, from where we will be able to see the steep coastal cliffs from another perspective. Near the Red Lighthouse, there will be a short lunch break.

After about 13 km, we will finish the hike at Strand Wenningstedt, where we will take a well deserved rest on the beach for the rest of the afternoon. There will be a possibility to participate in different water sports, swim and try out stand-up paddling (SUP provided by guide 🙂) followed by exploring charming town of Westerland, which is the main town in Sylt and then time permitting dinner before you head back to the train station to catch train back to Hamburg.

WHAT IS NEXT ?

• WhatsApp Group: In the ticket confirmation page, you will find a link to a whatsapp group dedicated to this event. This group is where you can connect with trip mates, coordinate arrival options & stay in touch.

• Google Photos Album: You will find a link in the whatsapp group description to the shared google photos album where you can upload & view all shared photos & videos from the trip.

HOW DO I CONTACT YOU FOR ANY QUERIES / CONCERNS?

• WHATSAPP (fastest): Reach out to us directly by clicking here.
• EMAIL: Reach out to us on info@urbanturetravel.com or by clicking on "Contact the event organizer" option below.
• FACEBOOK: Message our facebook page @urbanaturetravel
• INSTAGRAM: Message our Instagram page @urbanaturetravel

WHO IS THE COMMUNITY GUIDE FOR THIS TRIP?

Hi everyone,

Marija here and I am from Serbia, but have lived in different countries in Europe, the Middle East and North America. Currently I live in the north of Germany, in the second biggest city - Hamburg. Although I have lived mostly in cities, I have always preferred to be in nature, close to mountains and the sea. I try to escape out of the city for a weekend trip or a longer hike any chance I get. My passion for hiking started in high school in my home country of Serbia, where I joined a hiking club and regularly toured mountains in the region. Since then, I have hiked mostly in western Europe, in Germany, France, Switzerland and Spain. Next on the list for me are the Himalayas. I look forward to meeting you on this trip and showing you around the Baltics!

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