Hallig Hooge, the Queen of Halligen, is a small island off the northwest coast of Germany in the Wadden Sea; the southeastern part of the North Sea. It is one of ten small islands that make up the halligen, the German part of the North Frisian Islands. The North Frisian Islands are located just off the coast of the European mainland next to Germany and Denmark.
Halligen
The halligen were once part of the mainland, but the land bridges connecting them to Europe have eroded away. They are constantly flooded by the saltwater of the Wadden Sea which has caused them to change shape over the centuries. Some islands have eroded so much that they have disappeared, while others have been joined together by the redeposition of soil. The only way to get to these islands is by ferry. Our boat ride to Hooge was during a low tide and we passed areas with exposed soil through the ocean water. A sea lion was basking on this exposed land, and watched curiously at us as we passed by.
Hallig Hooge
Hallig Hooge is the second largest of the German Halligen islands. Approximately 120 people live here, and most do so only seasonally. The salt water tidal flats make it a wonderful place for grazing animals. Besides agriculture, most of the inhabitants work in tourism, as the islands are favorite destination for a lot of tourists. This islands is a biosphere reserve and as such, all residents practice sustainability.
To travel around, we rented bicycles for the day. They are a perfect way to sightsee a lot of the island and ensure a good time.
If visiting during the warm weather, there are plenty of sandy beaches to visit.
The Land of Warften
The water level on Hallig Hooge rises seasonally (during winter months), during periods of high tide, and during storm surges. To safeguard the residents who periodically occupy this island, houses are built on top of warften (also sometimes referred to as terps). Warften are artificial mounds that are created to raise the elevation of houses above the high tide waterline. These mounds were used as a way to keep people and property safe during periods of flooding before the use of dykes became more common. I need to return when the low areas of the island is submerged. It must look like a whole different place.
Warften are an old type of technology used all around coastal Europe in this area, and can be seen in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Today, some of the islands have overflow dykes for additional protection from the sea. Hooge, itself, has a high stone dyke in addition to nine populated warftens, each with a different name.
Where is it Located?
Hallig Hooge is located off the northwest coast of Germany in the Wadden Sea. To get there, you must take the ferry service from Schlüttsiel Fährhafen near Ockholm on the German mainland, or from a neighboring halligen. We used this ferry service and it took us about an hour to get there.