Discover Fredeburg: Wisent Bison and Old Salt Road Traces

Fredeburg brings together three specific reasons to explore: European wisent bison in an enclosure, a hiking trail directly connected to it, and visible traces of the historic landwehr and Old Salt Road. Nature watching and history meet here. The wider travel destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg offers further opportunities to enjoy nature, culture and outdoor activities.

Wisents and a hiking trail in Fredeburg

The wisent enclosure offers a free nature experience, with the chance to observe European wisent bison. Calves can be seen when any are present. These animals are considered Europe’s largest land mammals. The enclosure is directly connected to a hiking trail, bringing together two distinct but related interests: watching the animals and hiking. Sightings are part of the nature experience, but cannot be expected on every visit.

Historical traces in the landscape

The landscape also tells the story of former routes and how they were protected. On the Old Salt Road, a fortified tower protected the former passage. Remains of the associated ditches and ramparts are still visible in the landscape today. Fredeburg therefore offers two different perspectives side by side: the wisent enclosure is about living animals, while the landwehr and salt road are about traces handed down from the past.

Nature in the wider travel destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg

The Duchy of Lauenburg district is 26 percent forest and includes 48 lakes. The district is also home to the Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous forest. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the duchy. Covering an area of approximately 35 by 17 kilometres, it provides habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species. Visitor facilities include hiking trails, observation towers, educational trails and places to rest; since 1960, it has been designated a protected area for visitors to experience.

One specific viewpoint in the duchy is the tower at Lake Mechow: it invites visitors to watch waterbirds, and with a little luck, a white-tailed eagle can also be spotted there. These opportunities to observe nature add to the experience of the forests and lakes, though animal sightings cannot be planned or guaranteed.

Hiking, cycling and enjoying the water

Visitors to the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park can hike, cycle, canoe and swim in the refreshing forest lakes. The park also has four signposted cycling routes. For longer walks, the Duchy is crossed from north to south by the European long-distance hiking trails E1, E6 and E9, which pass through Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. The Old Salt Road long-distance cycle route runs from Lauenburg to Lübeck along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal and through the Duchy of Lauenburg.

The wider travel destination also offers a possible idea for a longer canoe trip: it can run from Lake Schaalsee via the Lauenburg lakes and the Wakenitz River to Lübeck. Local access conditions may vary. The different options suit different interests, from signposted cycling routes and long-distance hiking trails to experiences on the water.

Culture and regional discoveries

The Duchy of Lauenburg also offers guided excursions with experts, focusing on the district’s flora, fauna and cultural history. Check specific dates before making plans. Another seasonal option is the Kultursommer am Kanal, a four-week cultural festival along the canal held every summer; it is worth checking the programme for the relevant year in advance.

Two museums explore different aspects of cultural history. The District Museum of the Duchy of Lauenburg in Ratzeburg displays exhibits on the history of the Lauenburg dukes and the inner German border. The Elbe Shipping Museum in Lauenburg/Elbe presents the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Human-Model-Machine” on shipping. Visitors can get hands-on with models and interactive stations. Regional food stops also have their place: farm cafés in the Duchy of Lauenburg are known for their homemade cakes, made using regional produce.

Choose accommodation to suit your interests

Choose the location of your accommodation based on the places you actually want to visit. For regional tours and events, also check the specific route or the latest dates.

Discover more destinations: Aumühle, Wohltorf, Groß Sarau, Alt Mölln, Lauenburg Lakes, Schönberg, Berkenthin, Schulendorf.

Back to the main travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.