There are 10 "Halligen" in the German Wadden Sea. Where once there used to be land, it got swallowed by the sea. Only a few areas of higher ground withstood the storms and remained als little islands in the sea.
The houses on the Halligen are built on little mounds called "wharfs" (Warft), as an extra safety against flooding. During very high tides, some Halligen are completely flooded, only the wharf houses stay dry.
The Hamburg Hallig is the only one, which has a dam, connecting it to the mainland and it can be reached by foot, by bike and in the car. The beauty of the islands can be best experienced on a bike or on foot. Due to the fearceness of the waters, the costal region is protected by dikes, behind which, land has been reclaimed.
Once you climb the dike, you get a sweeping view of the flat marshes, which stretch for miles and miles and are inhabited by migrating birds and sheep.
In order to swim on a Hallig, you have to climb down into the water via steps.
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