Above: The boardwalk on the far side of Lippe, Germany

Between Ole Liese and Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort, in the coastal town of Hohwacht, is the start of one of Europe’s great beach walks. We passed a popular stretch of sand speckled with colorful Strandkörbe (hooded basketlike chairs) and walked along low dunes covered with wild rose thickets. Bright-red rose hips had already started appearing, but numerous pink blossoms still remained. Soon the paved path turned into more of a nature trail, with dunes on one side and pastures or wetlands on the other. Wooden stairs climbed the dunes in places.

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