Vacation in inland Schleswig-Holstein
Wind force 5, fresh breeze, in the middle of Schleswig-Holstein. The inland smells of fertile soil, small streams and large rivers, of damp forest and dark Moor, of home-baked goods and wonderfully relaxed days full of beautiful memories.
Schleswig-Holstein's inland region is a wonderful place to north your recreational compass. Between the Green Inland, the Schlei region, the Auenland on the Stör and the Elbmarsch in the far south, a new break awaits at every turn. In the middle of the region, Central Holstein, the district of Segeberg and the city of Neumünster beckon with exciting adventure offers. Extensive river landscapes, unique nature parks, crystal-clear lakes, rolling hills, dykes with munching sheep and huge pots behind them - all this shapes the character of Schleswig-Holstein's inland. Romantic farm shops, spectacular craftsmanship and small markets with fresh fruit and vegetables round off the culinary offer. On adventure farms, where you can feed and even milk cows yourself, you can experience pure country enjoyment according to the motto "Rustic. Genuine. Hearty". Special highlights are the hiking and cycling trails that lead through idyllic nature and past picturesque waters.
Typically inland
Schleswig-Holstein's inland is grass-green: meadows, knicks and deciduous forests characterize the picture in the state's three nature parks, which are lined up in the "green" heart. The landscape is crossed by one of the most important waterways in the world: the Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal). The "Ox Trail" (Ochsenweg) not only leads through the fairytale landscapes of Schleswig-Holstein's inland areas, it also provides a cross-section of the region's history.
Cycling
The vacation region with its flat and unique landscape is ideal for outdoor activities. Whether for a day or a week - explore the cycle paths along the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei, in the Green Inland, in Central Holstein, in the Segeberg district, in Neumünster and in Holstein. Enjoy your excursion or your trip! The Schleswig-Holstein inland region will spoil you with its charming hospitality.
Hiking
Discover the inland on foot. All you need are comfortable shoes and a sense of adventure. Well-marked routes lead you to the most beautiful routes through Schleswig-Holstein's nature, ideal for strolling, walking or hiking. Various areas such as the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei, the Green Inland, Central Holstein, Neumünster, the district of Segeberg or Holstein offer a wide range of hiking opportunities for all levels of experience. Long-distance hikers will also find long-distance hiking trails such as the Monks' Trail (Mönchsweg), Vicelinweg and the Nature Park Hiking Trail in inland Schleswig-Holstein.
Paddling
Water also plays an important role away from the coast. There are various bodies of water here, such as the Schlei and rivers like the Eider, Treene, Sorge and Stör, which are perfect for boat trips. Whether by boat, canoe or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) - discover the diversity of nature in Schleswig-Holstein's inland areas from a new perspective. The different areas are suitable for day trips or water hikes.
Excursion tips worth seeing inland
In the Eekholt Wildlife Park - south of Neumünster and thus deep in the inland of Schleswig-Holstein - you can hear it: the cry of the bird of prey, followed by its dive towards its prey. The falconer welcomes the majestic bird on her arm, while visitors can experience the king of the skies and other impressive wild animals such as wolves, wild boar and wildcats up close. The animal park offers exciting activities for your vacation all year round, from natural history bird tours to building traditional tipis.
These days, Winnetou and Old Shatterhand are not to be found in the vastness of the American continent, but here in Schleswig-Holstein, more precisely in the tranquil town of Bad Segeberg, right in the heart of the northernmost federal state. The famous open-air stage has been showing Karl May classics for generations and offers space for 11,500 people. In the open air, Wild West fans can expect an unforgettable encounter with their heroes on horseback. There are bangs and smoke, chases, witty dialog and a bag of crispy chips for the many young and young-at-heart spectators. The Karl May Festival is one of the most popular attractions - for northerners as well as holidaymakers and day visitors.
It's so green - and in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein's inland: the arboretum in Ellerhoop, known as "the most beautiful garden in the north", delights with a multitude of natural beauties, both in detail and in their entirety. Visitors can explore the themed gardens in peace and tranquillity, including the enchanting cottage garden with its impressive hollyhocks and the atmospheric water forest, which shines in vibrant colors during the autumn festival and shows the vacation region from its most romantic side.
The garrison town of Rendsburg is located in inland Schleswig-Holstein and offers a technical monument to the art of engineering with its 100-year-old railroad bridge and floating ferry. Built between 1911 and 1913, the steel structure has a clearance height of 42 meters. The Rendsburg railroad bridge has been one of the most photographed landmarks between the coasts for generations.
Since 1999, the largest art fair in Northern Europe, NordArt, has been presenting modern Nordic art in a unique setting in NordArt Büdelsdorf. Then creative people from all directions flock to the Schleswig-Holstein inland. Nordic works of art are exhibited in spacious production halls on a former industrial site. Every year, NordArt receives around 3,000 applications from various countries around the world. From these, the works of 200 selected artists are presented, which together tell a contemporary story.
A few centuries ago, Schleswig-Holstein was so densely forested that a squirrel could leap from coast to coast. Today, 173,000 hectares of forest cover around eleven percent of the land area of the northernmost federal state. Nature parks Westensee, Aukrug and Hüttener Berge in the heart of Schleswig-Holstein shape the character of Schleswig-Holstein's inland areas with sparse deciduous forests and delicate heathlands. The boggy areas with birch trees are home to rare animal and plant species. The Aschberg in the Nature Park Hüttener Berge may not be high at 98 meters, but on a clear day it offers good views as far as the Bay of Eckernförde and the Kiel Canal (Nord-Ostsee-Kanal). The traditional Knicks, hedgerows of blackthorn, hazel and hawthorn, protect the inland areas of Schleswig-Holstein from erosion and provide a habitat for thousands of animal species.
