On first-name terms with nature
Aukrug Natural Park
To the west of Neumünster lies Aukrug Natural Park. Here, in an area of 380 sq km, you can walk through forests or discover ponds, heathland, meadows and hedgerows.
It’s worthwhile visiting the local history museum ‘Dat ole Hus’ and the Aukrug water mill or going on a walk to the cairns.
Holstein Switzerland Natural Park
The Schleswig-Holstein Switzerland Natural Park, with an area of 680 sq km and over 200 lakes and ponds, is the largest park in the state. Many water birds use this unique landscape as a brooding and resting area.
Bungsberg, at a height of 168 m, is the highest mountain in Schleswig-Holstein. In winters with high snowfall, you can even go skiing there. The five lakes around Plön and Eutin, which you can explore from the water if you take a trip on the steamer, are particularly idyllic.
Cycling enthusiasts will find plenty of attractive cycle routes from which they can discover the region.
www.naturpark-holsteinische-schweiz.de
Hüttener Berge Natural Park
The Hüttener Berge Natural Park is situated within the triangle formed by the towns of Schleswig, Rendsburg and Eckernförde. This varied landscape is marked by lakes, rivers, fields, forests and its proximity to the Baltic Sea.
The Redderhus information centre in Holzbunge provides details of the sights of interest in the park such as the historic Ochsenweg (the Ox Road), the Heidberg natural monument, the Bismarck memorial, the Ascheffel forest discovery trail, the Kiel Canal and the Mini Born Park in Owschlag.
Lauenburg Lakes Natural Park
The Lauenburg Lakes Natural Park was founded in 1961, making it the oldest in Schleswig-Holstein. Large forests, stretches of hedgerow and 40 lakes mark the sparsely populated landscape. Well-signposted cycle paths, bridleways and footpaths, country inns and farmhouse cafes by the lakes and by the river Elbe provide all you need for pleasant trips out.
Rowing, sailing and surfing enthusiasts have their own territory around the huge Ratzeburg Cathedral. Native birds such as the black stork, the white-tailed eagle and the bittern have found a home here once more in the park's 440,000 hectares.
In autumn and spring, the lakes and fields serve as a resting place for several thousand birds – an awesome spectacle!
Westensee Natural Park
Experience 250 sq km of uninterrupted natural park between Kiel, Rendsburg and Bordesholm. Lakes, marshes, cliffs, eskers and sandbanks, as well as an impressive cultural scene, are waiting to be discovered by visitors and those seeking relaxation.
The main attraction is the Westensee lake itself. It is embedded in a landscape rich in forests and fields, and offers many water sports activities.
