Nusse: Church, Trails and Water

Nusse brings local history together with outdoor activities. The church combines an early mention in historical records with a late Neoclassical interior, while trails, a bathing area and the Elbe–Lübeck Canal offer other points of interest. A stay here can therefore combine culture, exercise and time by the water. When choosing accommodation, you might first consider whether to focus on the church and music, hiking or cycling.

Church History and Music in Nusse

The church in Nusse was first mentioned in 1158. Nusse is considered one of the oldest parishes in the region. Its high interior was built in 1839 in the late Neoclassical style. In a museum room, exhibits illustrate the furnishings of the former church. Opposite the church is a historic ensemble of buildings comprising the parsonage and parish barn, placing the church and other historic buildings face to face.

Music is also part of the cultural life of the town: the church is a venue for the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Festival programmes may change, so check the specific dates before your visit. The Nusse-Behlendorf Church Music Association also regularly organises concerts featuring regional and international musicians under the title “Music Under the Church Roof.” Here, too, the programme may change.

Hiking, Cycling and Water

A 17.11-kilometre circular hike starts and ends at Nusse Cemetery. The route passes the church ensemble on the way to Hellmoor and the Diekbek lowlands, follows the Elbe–Lübeck Canal and the historic Donnerschleuse lock, and goes through a nature reserve. Other stops include the viewing platform at Pantener Moorweiher and the Steinau Valley. There is also a network of hiking and cycling trails around Nusse.

For a different kind of outing, head to the Elbe–Lübeck Canal: it begins near Neu-Lankau, about four kilometres from Nusse, and is suitable for a cycling trip all year round. The bathing area at Ritzerauer See in Nusse offers another way to enjoy the water. Check local facilities before setting out. A clearly defined hiking loop and a year-round cycling idea thus offer two different options.

Neighbouring Duvensee also offers a fascinating glimpse into the past: sites used by Stone Age hunter-gatherers were discovered there, along with charred hazelnut shells. The shells are still on display for visitors. A paddle described as the oldest in the world was also found in Duvensee.

The Wider Destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg

For broader travel plans, it is also worth exploring the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg. Forest covers 26 percent of the district, which is home to 48 lakes. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the duchy. Established in 1960 as a protected area for visitors to enjoy, it offers hiking trails, observation towers, educational trails and places to stop and rest. Four signposted cycling routes give cyclists more ways to explore this larger natural area.

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park also offers guided excursions with experts on local wildlife, plants and the district’s cultural history; check the dates separately. Covering an area of about 35 by 17 kilometres, the park provides habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species. Nusse’s specific attractions thus complement a broader regional perspective on nature and culture in the Duchy of Lauenburg.

Getting There by Bus

If you are planning to travel by bus, the Nusse, Hermannstraße stop is served by routes 8730 and 8760 on weekdays. Check the timetable for your travel date before planning your journey around it.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Behlendorf, Salem, Römnitz, Aumühle, Roseburg, Elmenhorst, Schulendorf, Dassendorf.

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