
Lakes, Parks and Conservation areas
In the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, you can experience nature in its true form. Hike through narrow paths or vast hilly landscapes, cycle past lakes and through forests, and picnic at the side of the road – in Schleswig-Holstein, six nature parks invite you on a discovery tour and a time out in nature.
The true north is not just the coast and the vastness of the sea, but also green forests, wild meadows and sparkling lakes. The nature parks in Schleswig-Holstein offer a very special spectacle at any time of year.
In spring, for example, they present themselves with flowering knickland, white carpets of anemones and blue frogs, which can be observed in the Salemer Moor near Ratzeburg or in the Grundlosen Kolk in Moor. In summer, the numerous small and large lakes entice visitors to cool off in the wonderfully clear water, go on a canoe tour or simply take a walk along the shady lakeside paths with a view of the lake. In autumn, the colorful forests are reflected in the blue of the lakes and bring the "Indian Summer" to Schleswig-Holstein.
Large and small lakes
Where can you swim and dangle your feet in the cool water in Schleswig-Holstein if not at the North Sea and Baltic Sea? The answer: in the land between the coasts! Here you can go canoeing, take a boat trip or go swimming.





Experience nature
The Schleswig-Holstein nature parks do not bear their name for nothing: The flora and fauna here are particularly unique and therefore worthy of protection. The landscape ranges from steep cliffs and dune valleys to lush green forests and endless mudflats. Hiking through this impressive nature or a tour by bike, past numerous lakes and vantage points with views of the vast countryside, is an experience in itself. But you can also immerse yourself even more intensively in nature here: For example, on the adventure trail in the Störkathen Heath near Kellinghusen, where you can feel the heathland along the barefoot path and learn all kinds of exciting things about its history at the same time.
The Wadden Sea World Heritage Site also has a diverse animal world in store for you: Go on a mudflat hike on the trail of lugworms, seals and co.

Enjoy culinary delights
It's not just our coasts that have sweet cafés and inviting restaurants - the nature parks in the true north can also score points with individual places to stop for a bite to eat, whether in a small farm café for a slice of home-baked cake, for a waffle in a thatched cottage or for a wine tasting in the northernmost contiguous German wine-growing region.
Culinary "delicacies" can be found here, among other places:
- Waffle lunch at "Dat ole Hus" in Aukrug-Bünzen
- First pick berries and then enjoy a slice of raspberry cream cake at Himbeerhof Steinwehr
- Explore the Grebin wine-growing region in Holstein Switzerland
- Discover Schleswig-Holstein's farm stores and farm cafés

Manor houses and estates
Mecklenburg Western Pomerania is not the only region to offer magnificent manor houses and estates - here in Schleswig-Holstein, too, lovingly restored and originally preserved buildings can be found hidden between lake landscapes and romantic forests. Some are now home to hotels, restaurants or cafés, others to museums or small exhibitions. If you want to celebrate your wedding in a very special place, you can even rent some of the fairytale houses privately. The adjoining gardens also provide a great backdrop for wedding pictures.
Among the insider tips in the true north are the individual Christmas markets that take place on many estates in winter.
You can experience the magic of days gone by here, among other places:
- Nature park Westensee: Gut Emkendorf, Gut Manhagen and Gut Deutsch-Nienhof
- Nature park Holstein Switzerland: Stockseehof Estate and Pronstorf Estate

On the water
In addition to hiking and cycling, the nature parks also offer the best conditions for all kinds of water sports: over 400 small and large lakes and a large number of rivers invite you to go pedal boating, sailing, canoeing and stand-up paddling. You will find rental outlets at almost all the larger lakes, which will provide you with the necessary equipment. If you don't need that much action, you can of course simply lie down to sunbathe and swim at a sheltered bathing spot, listen to the rustling of the trees and enjoy the view of the lake.
Wadden Sea National Park
The Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea (in German) on the North Sea coast is a national park and – together with the Halligen – forms a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site of Humanity and biosphere reserve. Covering an area of 4,400 km2, it is the largest national park between the North Cape and Sicily and is protected by special regulations. Expert guides provide an introduction to the unique flora and fauna of the Wadden Sea, a very special experience!
