The Halligs
You have to be made of some special stuff to live on a hallig. A little piece of land in a constant battle with the elements in the middle of the roaring North Sea. There are only ten of these very special islets in the North Sea off Schleswig-Holstein. Only six of them are inhabited and farmed. Fewer than 400 people live on the halligs of Gröde, Hooge, Nordstrandischmoor, Oland, and Langeness. But many times that number of tourists come every year to get to know the fascinating life on the halligs. Here, the mayor is often mailman, shop owner, carpenter, and fisherman in one. Hallig residents are inventive, frugal, and very flexible. They often have to adapt their habits to changed conditions. Until the 1960s, they had neither electricity nor fresh water supply. On the treeless halligs, they used sheep droppings and cow patties to heat with. Oil lamps and candles were used for light, and milking was done by hand. For non-residents of the halligs, the term “land under” is scary. But the hallig people don’t know any other way of life. They build their houses on mounds of earth known as warfts and are always improving their storm surge protection. Even the youngest hallig child knows what to do when the water comes. On the hallig, time is measured not so much by the clock and the seasons; ebb and flow and the weather set the routine.
The halligs are part of the Schleswig-Holstein Wattenmeer National Park, which has been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The variety of species of the Wattenmeer and the special conditions on the halligs make for an incomparable natural landscape. And this attracts a large number of day and overnight visitors. The halligs Gröde, Hooge, Langeness, Nordstrandischmoor, and Oland have comfortable guesthouses and accommodations and event programs. Norderoog, Süderoog, and Südfall are uninhabited and can be explored only with a guide. Hallig Habel is a bird sanctuary and cannot be visited and Hamburg Hallig is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is a popular destination for excursions.
The Halligs - directions, service & contact
Directions
- By car
A23 to Heide, B5 towards Bredstedt. Alternative: A7 to
Schleswig/Schuby, B201 via Husum towards Bredstedt. After Bredstedt via Bordelum and Ockholm to Schlüttsiel. From Schlüttsiel take the ferry to Hooge, Langeness, Oland, and Gröde. If you make reservations, you can take your vehicle, but this is discouraged in the visitor’s interest. There are sufficient (paid) parking spots in Schlüttsiel – some of them guarded. - By train
Take the train to Husum, from the train station or bus station, continue by bus to Schlüttsiel, then ferry crossing as above - By excursion ship
Can be reached from Nordstrand/Strucklahnunghörn, by bus and car from Husum or from Schlüttsiel. Directions as above. From Strucklahnungshörn you can also reach hallig Nordstrandischmoor. - By causeway tram
Oland and Nordstrandischmoor are connected with the mainland by causeways with tram. For use only by residents and guests.
Service
Order the tourism brochure "The North Frisian Halligs" and directory of accommodations here.
Contact
The North Frisian Halligs
Email: info@halligen.de
www.halligen.de
