Description
It’s the most photographed landmark on Heligoland and a true symbol of the island: the Lange Anna (“Long Anna”). Towering 47 meters high, this striking red sandstone sea stack rises majestically from the North Sea along the island’s northwest coast, attracting nature lovers, photographers, and birdwatchers year after year.
Formed of around 25,000 tons of Buntsandstein (colored sandstone), Long Anna is a powerful example of nature’s forces. Right beside it stands the smaller Kurze Anna (“Short Anna”), created by a rockfall in the 1970s. The dramatic rock spire is not only a geological highlight, but also a vital breeding ground for seabirds such as northern gannets, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, and kittiwakes – species that nest exclusively on Heligoland in Germany.
The Path to the Rocks
The best way to reach Long Anna is on foot via the cliff-top trail in the Oberland (upper part of the island). This well-maintained coastal path leads to several viewpoints offering spectacular views of the rock formation and surrounding scenery. Along the way, informational panels share insights into geology, nature conservation, and bird protection. Guided tours and birdwatching walks are available for those interested – but climbing onto Long Anna itself is prohibited to preserve this delicate natural monument.
Historical Information
Originally, Long Anna was part of a natural sea arch, connected to the island by a stone bridge. In 1860, the arch collapsed, leaving the sea stack isolated in the surf. Its Frisian name, "Nathurn Stak", translates to "North Horn Sea Stack".
To protect the rock from further erosion, a 1.3-kilometer-long sea wall was built between 1903 and 1927. In 1969, Long Anna was designated a natural monument, and in 1972, the base was reinforced with masonry to reduce the impact of wave erosion. Despite limited protection options, Lange Anna still stands tall, braving wind, waves, and weather to this day.
How to get there
Long Anna is located at the northern tip of Heligoland’s Oberland, right at the end of the cliff-top trail on the island’s northwest side.
Getting to Heligoland
You can reach Heligoland either by ship or by plane. Ferries operate daily (seasonally) from Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Büsum. Travel times vary depending on the route – from 75 minutes by catamaran to about 2.5 hours on traditional sea cruisers. Flights are available from Nordholz Airfield near Cuxhaven, with a 40-minute flight to Heligoland’s neighboring islet Düne. From there, a small ferry shuttle takes you to the island’s main harbor in just a few minutes.
Starting the Hike
Your walk to Long Anna begins in the Unterland (lower part of the island) right at the harbor. From here, you can either take the island’s cliff elevator (for a small fee) or climb the 260 steps of the "Treppe hinauf" stairway to reach the Oberland. Once at the top, simply follow the signs for the cliff-top trail, which runs for about two kilometers along the cliffs to multiple viewpoints overlooking Long Anna and the surrounding seabird colonies.