Holtsee: Village Lake, Cheese and Cycling Routes

There is a small swimming area at the village lake; a network of walking paths and a forest trail offer further ways to enjoy the outdoors. For longer days of cycling, Cycle Route 2 is an option. The Kiel Canal lies south of the municipality, and Lake Wittensee is west of Holtsee.

Cycling Between Lake Wittensee and the Canal

Cycle Route 2 – Wittensee–Goosefeld–Holtsee–Kiel Canal is considered an easy cycling tour. It is 45.7 kilometres long and takes about 4.5 hours. The route passes through the Hüttener Berge landscape, goes around Lake Wittensee and follows the Kiel Canal. Along the canal, cyclists can watch cruise ships and container ships. You can start in Holtsee; the tour can also be divided into two shorter sections. This gives you the choice of planning the full circuit or splitting it up for your day trip.

Another option is Cycle Route 10 – Gettorf–Landwehr–Holtsee. It passes through meadows and fields as well as the Hüttener Berge Nature Park, and follows the Kiel Canal. If the starting point is decisive for your choice, Cycle Route 2 can be started in Holtsee, while Cycle Route 10 starts in Gettorf. Cycle Route 2 is considered accessible by train and bus. Check current timetables and route details before setting off.

Cheese, Café and Overnight Stays

The cheese experience in Holtsee combines traditional production with a nearby factory shop. Visitors can have coffee, enjoy cheese rolls, sit on a terrace and buy Holtsee cheeses there. Groups can visit the large cheese dairy in Holtsee by prior arrangement; confirm the visit arrangements before your trip.

Eiderhufe offers beds in a hay hostel or in rooms. Check availability directly for your preferred travel dates. Eiderhufe also has a café that serves guests on Sundays and public holidays. Check opening hours before visiting.

The Wider Area: Rendsburg-Eckernförde

Beyond Holtsee, the wider destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde is part of the broader cycling and hiking context. Rendsburg-Eckernförde district has a signposted network of cycling routes stretching 1,000 kilometres. The district also publishes an overview of 12 themed routes and 5 e-bike tours. Its themed day trips combine regional history with stops at cafés, restaurants and a cheese dairy. For hiking, the 180-kilometre Nature Park Hiking Trail runs through the district’s four nature parks. Alongside Holtsee’s paths and destinations, this means there are also district-wide options to consider for different active travel plans. Rendsburg-Eckernförde district has four nature parks. In fine weather, the 98-metre-high Aschberg offers panoramic views as far as the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel. Rendsburg-Eckernförde district also has 55 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline.

Discover More Destinations

Molfsee, Osdorf, Bordesholm, Aukrug, Eckernförde, Strande, Winnemark, Barkelsby

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