Duchy of Lauenburg: Forests, Lakes and Culture

Forests and water shape the Duchy of Lauenburg. In the Duchy of Lauenburg district, 26 percent of the area is forest; the district also encompasses 48 lakes. The Elbe forms the duchy’s southern boundary. At the heart of the region lies the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, offering opportunities to observe nature, explore trails and enjoy active days.

Forests, lakes and spectacular views

The Sachsenwald, the largest continuous forest in Schleswig-Holstein, lies in the Duchy of Lauenburg district. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park provides a habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species, across an area of about 35 by 17 kilometres. Lake Schaalsee is another striking feature: it is the deepest clear-water lake in northern Germany, with its deepest point 72 metres below the water’s surface. The wooded Werder islands of Seedorf and Groß Zecher lie along its western shore.

The nature park’s visitor facilities include hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest; it has been designated as a protected area for visitors to experience since 1960. From the observation tower at Lake Mechower See, you can watch waterbirds and, with a little luck, even spot a white-tailed eagle. Those interested in the district’s natural and cultural history can join guided excursions with experts. Check individual dates in advance.

On foot, by bike and on the water

The long-distance hiking trails E1, E6 and E9 cross the Duchy of Lauenburg from north to south, passing through Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. There are also four signposted cycle routes in the nature park. One of them, the Lakes Cycle Tour, is a circular route of about 40 kilometres through the nature park, starting in the cathedral and island town of Ratzeburg. For a different kind of cycling trip, the long-distance Alte Salzstraße Cycle Route runs through the Duchy of Lauenburg along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, from Lauenburg to Lübeck.

The region’s diversity is also on display on the water: in the nature park, you can hike, cycle and canoe, and swim in forest lakes. Sailing is possible on Lake Ratzeburger See. A canoe trip can take you from Lake Schaalsee via the Lauenburg lakes and the Wakenitz to Lübeck; local navigation rules may vary. The Elbe, the more than 100-year-old Elbe-Lübeck Canal and over 40 lakes offer further ways to enjoy sports and leisure in, on and beside the water.

Museums, events and regional delicacies

In Lauenburg/Elbe, the Elbe Shipping Museum is dedicated to shipping. Its interactive, three-storey exhibition, “Human-Model-Machine”, invites visitors to get involved with models and experimental stations. The Duchy of Lauenburg District Museum in Ratzeburg displays exhibits on the history of the dukes of Lauenburg and the former inner-German border. The Uhlenkolk Environmental Centre in Mölln also offers families an educational nature programme and experiences for kindergartens, school classes, families and adults. Check the current visitor information before travelling.

The Summer of Culture on the Canal is a four-week cultural festival held on the canal every summer. Check the programme for the current year when planning your trip. Regional treats are also part of the picture: farm and country cafés in the Duchy of Lauenburg are known for homemade cakes made with regional products. Labenzer Stolz coffee roastery roasts coffee using a traditional, aroma-preserving, slow drum-roasting method. It is located in a lovingly restored farmhouse dating from 1890; alongside coffee, its selection includes fine chocolates, marzipan, delicacies and wines.

Choose transport and accommodation to suit your travel plans

The railway junction at Büchen connects the district to the long-distance rail network via the Hamburg–Schwerin–Berlin and Lübeck–Lüneburg lines. Check the current timetable for your travel dates. When choosing accommodation, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: Ratzeburg is the starting point for the approximately 40-kilometre Lakes Cycle Tour and home to the district museum; Lauenburg/Elbe is home to the shipping museum and the starting point of the Alte Salzstraße. Decide whether cycling, hiking, water activities or culture will shape your days, then compare locations to see which best suits the places on your own itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ziehten, Güster, Rondeshagen, Ratzeburg, Wentorf Bei Hamburg, Geesthacht, Fredeburg, Aumühle, Lankau, Nusse, Elmenhorst, Schönberg, Mölln, Mustin, Lauenburg/Elbe, Klempau, Krummesse, Groß Grönau, Krukow, Salem, Kittlitz, Gudow, Breitenfelde, Römnitz, Berkenthin, Groß Sarau, Groß Disnack, Schwarzenbek-Land, Lauenburg Lakes, Wohltorf, Müssen, Möhnsen, Linau, Kuddewörde, Krüzen, Sterley, Schulendorf, Brunstorf, Hohenhorn, Tramm, Siebenbäumen, Alt Mölln, Roseburg, Behlendorf, Seedorf, Lehmrade, Besenthal, Mechow, Grambek, Dassendorf and Hollenbek.

Go to the parent travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.