Luftaufnahme der Schlei-Region

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.

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Nature parks in Schleswig-Holstein

Six parks have a very special significance for Schleswig-Holstein due to their landscape and the nature they protect. Young and old explorers are cordially invited to experience the unique nature andnature and landscape in a very special way.

Blick auf den Großen Plöner See
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At 750 km², the Nature park Holstein Switzerland is the largest park in the country. The varied landscape near the Baltic Sea can be explored on foot or by bike: consistently signposted cycle paths meander past stately manor houses and magnificent castles. Around 200 small and large lakes invite you to sail and paddle, swim and picnic.

Blick auf die Schlei
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The Nature Park Schlei is the northernmost nature park in Schleswig-Holstein. As the heart of the Nature Park Schlei, it is characterized by its charming surroundings and special natural beauty. As the lifeline of the region and the city of Schleswig, the scene of legendary battles and the most beautiful arm of the Baltic Sea, the Schlei stretches more than 40 kilometers into the country.

Blick auf den Naturpark Hüttener Berge
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Further north, in the Nature Park Hüttener Berge in the city triangle of Schleswig, Rendsburg and Eckernförde, cyclists and hikers will find suitable signposted routes for a relaxed discovery of nature. The Globetrotter Lodge with panoramic views of the Hüttener Berge is a great place to stay and eat.

Luftaufnahme vom Naturpark Lauenburgische Seen
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Around 40 lakes are hidden like sparkling gems between forests, fields and hills. The Nature park Lauenburgische Seen is the heart of the Duchy of Lauenburg. It stretches from the gates of Lübeck to Büchen, from Mölln to the Schaalsee and offers many rare and endangered animal and plant species their habitats, some of which are the last in Schleswig-Holstein.

Luftaufnahme vom Naturpark Aukrug
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The Nature park Aukrug is located in central Holstein to the west of Neumünster. Covering 380 km², you can hike through forests or discover ponds, heathland, meadows and hedgerows. A visit to the local history museum "Dat ole Hus", the Aukrug watermill or a walk to the burial mounds is well worthwhile.

Die Sonne scheint zwischen Bäumen in einen Wald hinein.
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Between Kiel, Rendsburg and Bordesholm, Lake Westensee in the Nature park Westensee with its Moors, floodplains, forests and bends typical of our region offers many water sports such as swimming, Angeln, canoeing, sailing and stand up paddling.

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.

Luftaufnahme vom Phulsee und Schaalsee
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Pärchen am Ratzeburger See
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Blick auf den Kellersee
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Excursion tips

Zwei Wanderinnen in Stormarn
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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.

Gedeckter Tisch im Garten
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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:

Radfahrer vor dem Gut Emkendorf
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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:

Zwei Männer auf SUP-Boards
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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!

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Personen im Watt
© David Burghardt / Raufeld Medien