![[Translate to englisch:] Wanderer mit Schildern am Rucksack](/fileadmin/user_upload/10_BLOG/Heidschnuckenweg/2025_Heidschnuck_Titel.jpg "[Translate to englisch:] Wanderer mit Schildern am Rucksack")
Saturday, August 9, 2025
From Hamburg to Buchholz
27.9 km | 8 h 11 min | 248 m ascent | 173 m descent
Hartmut, Thomas, and I meet in Hamburg the evening before this year's hike. Thomas and I already know each other from the 2023 hike, while Hartmut has been supporting the work of Animals' Angels for many years. Together, we set off on the first stage of the Heidschnucken Trail.
After 1.5 km, we reach the official starting point, where we meet Stella and her friends, who will accompany us for the next two hours. Together, we remember Clara the pig, who was transported in Italy in August 2024. We dedicate the first stage of our hike to her.
After crossing the first stretches of heathland in the Fischbek Heath, we continue for a long section through beech forests. We are grateful for the shade, because as soon as we leave the woods, the temperature rises to over 30°C. Our thoughts inevitably turn to the animals being transported under these same high temperatures.During rest stops and traffic jams on the motorway, they are often left exposed to the relentless heat without any protection.
As we cross the A261 motorway, we spontaneously decide to hold our banner over the bridge railing to make our demand visible to all passing drivers. Many respond with thumbs up.
After more than eight hours, we finally reach Buchholz. We quickly freshen up and then meet a long-standing supporter for dinner. We are delighted when we are presented with an envelope containing a donation. We end the evening with an in-depth exchange about our animal welfare work.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
From Buchholz to Undeloh
34.3 km | 9 h 35 min | 216 m ascent | 278 m descent
Day two begins with another surprise: our supporter joins us again, and together we remember Abel the sheep, whom our team found during a transport in Slovenia in April 2025. We dedicate the second stage of our hike to him.
After saying goodbye and leaving Buchholz, we set out on the longest stage of this year’s tour. After about two hours, we reach the impressive, blooming heathland around the 129 m-high Brunsberg. We take a short moment to enjoy the view and leave a tribute to Abel.
The landscape alternates between forests and open heathland, a pattern that will accompany us over the next few days as well. In the afternoon, we are joined once again by visitors—this time Susanne and Thorsten, accompanied by their dog Luna. For the next 10 km, we have an in-depth conversation about the work of Animals' Angels. Exchanging ideas with supporters is always enriching and makes our hike even more meaningful.
After saying goodbye to Susanne, Thorsten, and Luna in the afternoon, we still have around 8 km ahead of us. Temperatures once again rise above 30°C. After 9.5 hours and more than 34 km, we reach our destination.
Monday, August 11, 2025
From Undeloh to Bispingen
33.1 km | 8 h 45 min | 167 m ascent | 210 m descent
Despite the long stage the day before, we start day three in good spirits. Surrounded by blooming heathland, we pause for a moment and remember Anton the calf, who an Animals' Angels team had encountered at a market in Spain in April 2025.
After an unexpected detour, we reach the summit of the Wilseder Berg after three hours, which at 169 m is the highest elevation in the North German Plain. We are surprised by the number of people we encounter here on a Monday, and we spontaneously unfurl our banner to draw attention to our cause.
As the day goes on, we notice that the previous day is still taking its toll on us. When the route leads us for more than 1 km over asphalt in the blazing afternoon sun, we feel especially close to the animals. We talk very little. Here and there, we strike up conversations with other hikers who notice our T-shirts or the signs on our backpacks and approach us.
In the evening, we reach Bispingen. Earlier that day, I had received the news that my son had been admitted to hospital. After several phone calls and discussions, I decide that same evening to end the hike and head home. I am deeply grateful that Thomas and Hartmut carry on and complete the hike without me.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
From Bispingen to Soltau
23.2 km | 8 h 10 min | 130 m ascent | 110 m descent
While I am already on the train, Thomas and Hartmut set off on the fourth stage towards Soltau. Compared to the previous days, the route is relatively flat, allowing them to cover the distance well along the way.
Thomas takes over route guidance and social media reporting in my place. During the lunch break, Hartmut and Thomas take a moment to think of Henry the camel, who was sold at a market in Egypt in April 2025.
For the final 7 km to Soltau, a couple we had already come across several times over the past few days join our group of hikers. The good conversations almost make us forget the strain.
After just over 23 km, they reach the day’s destination. Half of the planned distance on the Heidschnucken Trail is now behind them. In Soltau, they meet Ursula, who will join them for the final four stages of the hike.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
From Soltau to Wietzendorf
20.8 km | 8 h 15 min | 80 m ascent | 70 m descent
Early in the morning, Ursula, a veterinarian who has joined the group, Hartmut, and Thomas set off on the longest planned stage of this year’s hike at 35 km. The interim donation total of €30,000 provides additional motivation. However, Thomas is struggling with pain in his foot, so they are forced to slow their pace considerably.
The fifth stage is dedicated by our hikers to Martin the bull, who was transported from Latvia to Poland for slaughter in September 2024. When they later pass a dairy farm, the three are drawn to reflect on the suffering that many cows are exposed to in today’s intensive livestock farming. Ursula shares insights from her practical work as a veterinarian with Thomas and Hartmut.
29°C in the shade and Thomas’ foot are taking a toll on the group. Thomas is also considering ending the hike early. Fortunately, Hartmut is a doctor of manual therapy and osteopathy, and he takes a look at Thomas’ foot. Still, after 6.5 hours they have only covered about half of the planned distance. In Wietzendorf, they decide to end the stage early in order to hopefully resume the hike the next day feeling rested.
Thursday, August 14, 2025
From Müden (Örtze) to Oberoher Heide
17.5 km | 6 h 45 min | 60 m ascent | 40 m descent
Fortunately, Thomas’ foot is feeling better, so he sets off on the next stage together with Ursula and Hartmut. Once again, 28 km are planned, but temperatures are already rising above 26°C in the shade by 10:00 a.m.
The three dedicate the stage to Isabella the hen, who was transported to a slaughterhouse in Italy at the height of the midday heat in July 2025. Unfortunately, the midday heat will also cause particular difficulties for our hikers on this day.
Once again, narrow forest paths, paved roads, and wide stretches of heathland alternate along the route. However, the sections through the heath are mostly exposed to direct sun. During the lunch break, temperatures climb to over 36°C. Ursula, Thomas, and Hartmut decide together to shorten the stage and, after just under 18 km, take a bus for the remaining distance to the destination.
Friday, August 15, 2025
From Oberoher Heide to Oldendorf
22.4 km | 8 h 25 min | 120 m ascent | 150 m descent
On day seven, Thomas, Ursula, and Hartmut are joined by Patrick, an Animals’ Angels investigator, who joins the hike. Together, they remember Jens and Oliver, two pigs transported to slaughter in Italy in July 2025. Patrick, who was involved in that investigation himself, describes to the group the conditions under which the pigs were transported.
Temperatures are noticeably lower than the day before, allowing the four to cover the route more easily. Patrick offers insights into fieldwork, and the hikers exchange thoughts about the work of Animals’ Angels. Around midday, they once again pass a dairy farm.
As the day goes on, Ursula, Thomas, and Hartmut notice that the demanding stages of the previous days are still taking their toll. Since they have a dinner appointment with Animals’ Angels supporters in the evening, they end the stage after more than 22 km.
The exchange in the evening gives them strength for the final stage of the fundraising hike.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
From Dehningshof to Celle
22.0 km | 7 h 10 min | 90 m ascent | 110 m descent
Motiviert starten Ursula, Hartmut und Thomas am Samstagmorgen in Richtung Celle. Perfektes Wanderwetter: leicht bewölkt und angenehme 18 °C. Despite the sore feet, the experience of the past days stays very present in their minds. They think especially of Liam the calf from Ireland, who an Animals’ Angels team encountered on a truck in Germany in June 2025. Like them, he was also deprived of urgently needed rest stops during his long journey from Ireland to Poland.
After a good 8 hours, Ursula, Hartmut, and Thomas reach Celle, tired but happy. With a total of 201 km, the Heidschnucken Trail marks the longest Animals’ Angels fundraising hike to date.
Dear Ursula, dear Hartmut, dear Thomas, the entire Animals’ Angels team would like to thank you for your commitment. Thanks to you, this fundraising hike was made possible. We are also grateful to all fellow hikers for the engaging conversations and exchanges along the way. We would also like to thank dampf.consulting for sponsoring the matching hiking shirts.
Dear donors, we would like to thank you for your financial support, your encouraging and uplifting words, and your messages and thoughts. You all make the work of Animals’ Angels possible.
![[Translate to englisch:] Interview mit unserer Mitarbeiterin Silvia Meriggi](/fileadmin/_processed_/7/5/csm_Silvia_Interview_071077cd12.jpg "[Translate to englisch:] Interview mit unserer Mitarbeiterin Silvia Meriggi")
