Discover Hamdorf: Eider, Geest and nature

Eider, Geest and lowlands

Hamdorf lies on the Eider, on the Schleswig-Holstein Geest ridge. The surrounding Eider lowlands have an established network of cycle paths for leisure and recreation. When planning your stay, you can choose different focuses: spend time outdoors one day, and turn your attention to nature and history another.

The Bargstaller Au lowland belongs to the municipalities of Hamdorf and Elsdorf-Westermühlen and is part of the Natura 2000 network. It provides breeding habitat for meadow birds and is an important stopover site for migrating waders and waterbirds from autumn to spring. Large flocks of Bewick’s swans are regularly observed on the grassland in early spring. The timing therefore varies: stopover activity continues from autumn and winter into spring, while the swans are particularly associated with early spring.

Cycling, paddling and swimming

For an active day out, the area around Hamdorf offers opportunities for recreational paddling. Cycling is also closely connected to the landscape: the cycle path network in the surrounding Eider lowlands is designed for leisure and recreation. For swimming, there is the Eider bathing area in nearby Breiholz. Check whether the bathing area is open before setting off. This lets you choose between a ride through the lowlands, time on the water and a day of swimming, without making every activity the same kind of exercise.

Arriving and choosing your base

Hamdorf has hourly bus services. The mobility hub by the petrol station provides real-time departure information and shelter from the weather. Check the timetable before travelling if you want to plan your day around the bus. The location is also convenient for getting around by car: Hamdorf lies directly on the B203 federal highway between Heide and Rendsburg. You can choose accommodation in Hamdorf based on whether you want to focus on the town and its Eider landscape or include different parts of the wider destination in your plans.

History and archaeological traces

Hamdorf was first documented on 28 May 1285 under the name Hammathorp. Archaeological evidence also reaches far back in time: finds in the Hamdorf area include Stone Age axes and arrowheads, fire pits and burnt pits, a cremation cemetery and two megalithic tombs. This range of finds also makes the town appealing to travellers who want to include historical traces in their holiday alongside the landscape and outdoor activities.

The wider area: Rendsburg-Eckernförde

The wider destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde opens up another scale for planning a holiday. The district has five long-distance cycle routes, five e-bike tours and twelve themed routes ranging from 24 to 79 kilometres. There is also a signposted cycle path network stretching 1,000 kilometres. This choice complements the cycle path network in the Eider lowlands and helps you decide between focusing on the local area and planning a broader cycling holiday.

The district’s landscapes and attractions also reveal its diversity: Rendsburg-Eckernförde has 55 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. In good weather, the panoramic view from the 98-metre-high Aschberg extends to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and as far as Kiel. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore helpful to first decide what kind of trip you want: the Eider and Geest, nature watching and routes around Hamdorf, or a wider perspective on the overall destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Holzdorf, Schacht-Audorf, Haby, Lütjenwestedt, Gokels, Fockbek, Ahlefeld-Bistensee, Seefeld.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.