Breitenfelde: Old Salt Road, Church and Cycling Routes

Breitenfelde is located on the historic Old Salt Road and the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. In the Middle Ages, salt was transported from Lüneburg to Lübeck along the Old Salt Road. These two transport links give the village a distinct historical and geographical character. If you would like to combine history with active days on your trip, the church’s history, two cycling routes near Breitenfelde, and various options for dining and shopping can appeal to a range of interests.

Parish history and special details

Breitenfelde’s parish was first mentioned in a document in 1194 and is among the oldest in what is now the Duchy of Lauenburg. The church’s three-window group contains the oldest surviving church windows north of the Elbe. Another precise trace of the past is the 14th-century baptismal dish made of Gotland limestone. The parish’s early written mention, the window group’s significance beyond the local area, and a dated furnishing each represent a different facet of the village’s history. For those interested in cultural history, these offer concrete starting points for getting to know Breitenfelde beyond its scenery and cycling.

Cycling near Breitenfelde

There are two named cycling routes near Breitenfelde: Cycling Route 4 – Old Stones and New Paths – is 20.8 kilometres long; Cycling Route 5 – Forest, Water and Wind – covers 18.5 kilometres. This makes it easy to compare distances: Route 5 is 2.3 kilometres shorter than Route 4. Check the route in question and current conditions before setting out. This lets you consider the distance alongside information about the specific route.

Local produce and regional cuisine

Hofladen Prüßmann sells poultry and pork from its own production, as well as eggs. Geflügelhof Martens offers eggs, poultry, homemade-recipe sausage, smoked fish, juices, jams, wine and vegetables. During the season, locally grown asparagus and strawberries are also available. Gothmanns Hotel Restaurant prepares fresh dishes and has a preference for regional produce. This gives you different options for planning meals, from farm-shop products to freshly prepared dishes. As product ranges and restaurant offerings may change, check in advance what is currently available.

The wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg

The wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg also brings the landscape into view on a larger scale. Forest covers 26 percent of the district of the Duchy of Lauenburg, which also has 48 lakes. It is home to Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies in the heart of the duchy. It offers hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest, and has been set up as a protected area for visitors to enjoy since 1960. Covering an area of about 35 by 17 kilometres, the nature park provides a habitat for, among other species, kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes. At the observation tower on Lake Mechow, you can watch waterbirds; with a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle.

Guided nature experiences are also part of what the Duchy of Lauenburg has to offer: the nature park hosts excursions with experts on local flora and fauna, as well as the district’s cultural history. Check individual dates separately. The Uhlenkolk Environmental Centre in Mölln offers nature education and experiences for kindergartens, school classes, families and adults; check the arrangements for visits in advance. These regional offerings are a distinct part of the wider destination.

For longer hikes, the European long-distance trails E1, E6 and E9 run from north to south through the Duchy of Lauenburg, via Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. The Lakes Cycling Tour is an approximately 40-kilometre circular route through the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, starting in the cathedral and island town of Ratzeburg. Those interested in culture can visit the interactive, three-storey “Man-Model-Machine” exhibition on shipping at the Elbe Shipping Museum in Lauenburg/Elbe. Visitors can take part themselves at the models and experiment stations. The District Museum of the Duchy of Lauenburg in Ratzeburg displays exhibits on the history of the Dukes of Lauenburg and the border between East and West Germany.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lankau, Mölln, Elmenhorst, Kuddewörde, Wentorf bei Hamburg, Sterley, Schwarzenbek-Land, Römnitz

To the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.