The North Sea island of Borkum offers a wide range of sports and exercise options: cycling and hiking in the healthy North Sea climate or water and beach activities, such as beach volleyball, on the miles of sandy beaches. Beach sailors and kite surfers in particular rave about the excellent weather conditions and climbers get their money's worth in the North Sea climbing park - with a fantastic sea view. Horseback riding is best done in the morning or evening to enjoy the breathtaking sunrise and sunset over the sea.

Hiking tours on Borkum: Through the island forest “Greune Stee” or to Hooge Hörn

You can hike comfortably in Borkum. Impressive natural landscapes can be explored on numerous hiking and cycling trails. You will discover beaches, meadows, dune landscapes and forests, such as the island forest the “Greune Stee” (=Green Place), which consists of partly swampy paths and dry ones
Dune sand existing area. An eleven-kilometer hike - barefoot on the water's edge or on well-prepared hiking and cycling paths - leads to the Black Dike through the forest dunes. This route impresses with its picturesque forest landscape and is also ideal for a romantic walk.

An interesting circular hike leads to the easternmost point of Borkum, to Hooge Hörn (East Frisian for “elevated corner”). The twelve kilometer long path is well signposted along the Ostland. On the lake side across the sea dike lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wadden Sea National Park. On the land side you can see green, lush pastures of the East Country. The path leads past the observation dune at Steerenk-Klipp, which served as a fortress during the Second World War. The Hooge Hörn is a nature reserve that is flooded by salt water during storm surges and is a habitat for countless breeding and resting birds. Back towards Ostland, between meadows and dunes, it is worth stopping off at the Café Restaurant Ostland to try fresh herring and homemade rice pudding. If you want to travel the entire island to enjoy the diverse nature, you can do so from March to October thanks to the “Loopdeelenweg Ronde Plate dune ridge”.

This is the perfect wind: sand sailing on Borkum

Borkum is one of the most popular beach sailing areas in Europe and offers ideal conditions for beginners, advanced sailors and professionals. You can completely surrender to the rush of the wind on the miles of sandy beaches. What is interesting is that beach sailing is not a new trend sport. Rather, it has a long history and tradition. Researchers once discovered what is proven to be the oldest sailing chariot in the burial chamber of an Egyptian pharaoh. Initially the vehicle was used for transport purposes in the desert. The Chinese also used the sailing chariot in the windy north. Today, beach sailing has developed into a recognized trend sport that even has its own world association (Federation International de Sand et Landyachting – FISLY). Borkum, the largest East Frisian island, with an area of ​​30,7 square kilometers, offers excellent conditions for beach sailing: extensive beaches, lots of wind and healthy sea air due to the high seas climate. It's no wonder that Borkum has always been a respected sailing area throughout Europe, attracting enthusiastic beach sailors to the island every year. New in the event calendar: The Multivan Windsurf Cup, which takes place annually on Corpus Christi, is a highlight for all windsurfers from all over Germany and fans of the popular sport.

Kitesurfing and kite buggy: sports in and by the sea

Not only beach sailing, but also kite surfing and kite buggy riding are very popular on the North Sea island. A long sandbank in a bay protected from the North Sea surf offers ideal conditions for kite surfers. With a long board, the surfer is pulled through the water by a “kite” (“dragon” in German). The favorable weather conditions ensure greater buoyancy for the “kite”. This allows the surfer to make much higher jumps than with traditional windsurfing.

In recent years, the island has also developed into a popular meeting place for the kite buggy scene. In 2018, the World Cup took place in Borkum for the first time. When riding a kite buggy, you glide almost silently over the kilometer-wide beach on three wheels and let yourself be carried by the wind. Speeds of up to 130 km/h make the heart of every wind sports enthusiast beat faster. Beach sailing, kitesurfing and kite buggy courses are available at the World of Wind beach sailing school. For water sports with windsurfing, kiting, surfing and wing foiling, “Öy – water sports base” is the right place for you.

Climbing with a sea view

The North Sea climbing park “kraxelmaxel” combines climbing fun with a view of the sea and was opened in the Dünepark in 2011. Both beginners and professionals can climb a total of 60 stations in the high ropes course right by the sea. A 14-meter giant swing is the heart of the climbing facility and just right for adrenaline fans. There is an introduction before climbing. Between the individual obstacles and sections of the climbing course, platforms offer the opportunity to take a short rest. The climbing stations can be climbed individually, in groups or with the entire family.

Riding along the sunrise

Horse lovers can gallop towards the sunrise on Borkum and enjoy the idyllic island landscape. The Borkum riding stable offers riding lessons for beginners and advanced riders and is home to numerous small and large horses. These include Shetties and ponies, which are particularly popular with children with their fluffy manes. Riding on Borkum is also possible in bad weather

possible. Instead of beach rides, you retreat to the 20 by 40 meter riding arena. Jumping lessons and log lessons are also available here to learn horse riding step by step.

Beach Academy with courses and workshops for young and old

Beach volleyball is also very popular on the North Sea island. The Northwest German Volleyball Association (NWVV) has been holding beach volleyball tournaments since 1994 - every summer on three weekends. On a weekend, up to 1.000 beach volleyball players come and even camp on the beach. There is a beach academy for beginners and professionals that offers training, courses and workshops.

Professional tour players show tricks and provide insight into the correct technique for digging, platforming and attacking. Advanced students learn the ideal jump serve or the perfect cut shot. The focus of the training depends on individual needs and management level. Training takes place in the morning and the techniques learned are implemented in a playful way in the afternoon. The beach volleyball courses can be attended together with friends. If you “just” want to watch, you should come to BEACH DAYS BORKUM. On the associated “Rock the Beach” tour, the German beach volleyball elite get involved and play for qualification points for the German championship.

Tennis: traditional tennis tournaments and taster courses for beginners

Fans of the “white sport” can let off steam on the tennis island, which is open all year round. The tennis complex offers sand and indoor courts. There are also trial courses and individual lessons for children and adults. Renowned tennis teachers reveal tips and tricks for forehand and backhand. The Borkum Tennis Island also hosts traditional tennis tournaments, including the Senior Borkum Open and the Whitsun tennis tournament.

The Borkum Expert Weeks: running courses, biathlon and fitness box camp

Numerous sports activities with well-known and successful athletes will be offered over several weeks in June and September this year. Fitness box camp with Sven Ottke, biathlon on the beach, running schools with sports scientists or a fitness boot camp - there is the right program for active vacationers of all ages.