Kassau: Nature in the Schnegaer Mühlenbachtal

The district of Kassau lies in the “Schnegaer Mühlenbachtal” nature reserve. The protected area encompasses the Schnegaer Mühlenbach stream, its tributaries and the lowland between Molden and Jiggel. Much of the stream remains close to its natural state and has not been engineered; spring-fed lowland and hillside areas meet near-natural deciduous forests along the stream. The lowland contains fen and gley soils with naturally high groundwater levels. For nature enthusiasts, the appeal lies not only in the watercourse but also in the interplay of water, forest and wet soils. The nature reserve is also part of the “Landgraben- und Dummeniederung” SAC 75 (DE 3031-301).

Rundling Culture and Museum

Nearby is Bussau, one of the best-preserved Rundling villages in the Wendland. Numerous listed hall houses, with their gables facing the street, frame the village center. Their arrangement vividly illustrates the characteristic Rundling settlement pattern. The active village community also holds an Easter market every year. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific market dates in advance.

Also nearby, the “Blaues Haus” museum uses exhibits from the 19th and 20th centuries to give an impression of everyday life in earlier generations. In Clenze, historic children’s toys and a shoemaker’s workshop are among the examples on display; a model shows the center of Clenze around 1870. The museum also has extensive sources on Clenze’s family and local history, as well as original archival materials dating from the 17th century to the present. School classes can experience a sample lesson in a fully equipped classroom from more than a hundred years ago.

Landscape and Trails Around Clenze

Clenze has its own distinctive landscape: the hilly surroundings and their winding road are known as “Clenzer Schweiz” (Clenze Switzerland). The old moraine landscape formed during the penultimate major advance of the Scandinavian ice sheets, between 350,000 and 130,000 years ago. Several routes of different lengths are also listed in Clenze. The signposted “Drawehn-Höhenweg” is 59 km long and starts there; the 19.5 km “Clenzer-Schweiz-Weg” also starts in Clenze. There is also a 37 km cycling route, the “Clenzer-Schweiz-Tour,” which starts and ends there. It is not signposted. The distances give a concrete basis for comparing planned route lengths; check route information before setting out.

For a different perspective on geological history, the “Findlingspark Clenzer Schweiz” nearby offers another option. It is laid out as a spiral, along which visitors can explore different geological periods from the inside out. This adds a timeline of geological history to the landscape perspective.

Clenze’s local history offers further points of interest. More than a thousand years ago, a Slavic castle stood on the church hill in the town center; excavations have identified its remains. St. Bartholomew’s Church was rebuilt as a Neo-Gothic hall church and consecrated in 1856. The present-day townscape is largely characterized by half-timbered houses from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Admission to events at the Clenzer Culturladen is generally free; check the program before visiting.

Getting There and Choosing Accommodation

A minibus runs every two hours from Schnega station to Jiggeler Straße in Kassau. Groups and passengers wishing to bring a stroller, bicycles or wheelchairs must book at least one day in advance. Check the connection before you leave and allow enough time for the required advance booking.

When looking for accommodation in Kassau, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you like to center your trip on the landscape of the Kassau district, or include Rundling culture in Bussau as well as the museum and local history in Clenze? Take into account the places you actually plan to visit when considering where you would like to stay.

Discover More Destinations

Luckau, Prezelle, Damnatz, Zernien, Gartow, Trebel, Waddeweitz, Jameln

For the higher-level travel overview: Lüchow-Dannenberg.