Large Elbow Loop - Hike on Sylt

2: 10 pm
8,96 km
19 m
19 m
14 m
Start: Parking lot at the List-West lighthouse
Destination: Parking lot at the List-West lighthouse

Circumnavigate the northernmost tip of Germany and enjoy the untouched nature as well as the view of Denmark and the two lighthouses.

Only a few houses stand on the Ellenbogen, so this is truly "pure nature." On this tour around the Ellenbogen, you can enjoy the idyllic landscape and utter tranquility. While walking along the beach, you can see the Sylt ferry passing by on its way to Rømø, and with luck, you can spot seals on the beach or in the water, as well as migratory birds in the air. On this long circumnavigation of the Ellenbogen, you also pass both of the Ellenbogen lighthouses. At the end of the tour, you pass the surfing area at Königshafen, where, if the wind is good, you can watch the kite surfers jumping.

Start

Parking lot at the List-West lighthouse

Lighthouses

Geographical points

Our tip

The northernmost point of Germany is located at Ellenbogen. A wooden sign indicates the location: 55° 3' 30 North 08° 24' 55 East

Directions

We start from the parking lot, past the white List-West lighthouse, through the dunes to the west beach. Once there, we keep right and follow the coast around the Ellenbogenspitze. At the surfing area at Königshafen, we head inland and hike directly back to the parking lot.

safety instructions

Swimming is prohibited at the Elbow due to the strong current and the resulting danger to life!

Dune protection is island protection - please only enter the dunes via the designated paths.

Dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the entire Elbow area due to the free-roaming sheep.

If you encounter a seal on the beach, please keep a distance of at least 200 meters.

Equipment

Most of the route is covered on the beach, so windproof clothing and shoes suitable for sand are recommended. In summer, walking barefoot is possible.

Since there are no places to stop for refreshments at the Ellenbogen, you should take enough drinking water and, if necessary, a snack with you.

Arrival & Parking

From Westerland, follow the signs toward List. After the Süderheidetal valley, before List, turn left onto the old Listlandstraße road toward Weststrand. After the Weststrandhalle, turn left onto the Ellenbogen road. A toll of €7 per car is payable at the toll booth there, as the Ellenbogen road and the road built there are privately owned. Bicycles and pedestrians may pass free of charge.

Parking at the Ellenbogen is free in the numerous parking lots along the road. The hike starts at the parking lot at the western lighthouse.

Take SVG bus line 5 (part of line 1). The nearest bus stop, Weststrand, is approximately 2 km from the starting point of this route. These 2 km can be covered along Weststrand.

Tour features