Reinfeld (Holstein): Ponds, culture and carp tradition
Accommodation in Reinfeld
Reinfeld (Holstein) brings together a waterside landscape, local history and a carp tradition. The Herrenteich pond shapes the town, while museums and historic buildings add their own distinctive touches.
Ponds, carp and water
The Herrenteich covers around 60 hectares and was created by damming the Heilsau. Reinfeld also has four smaller ponds and four Hellernteiche, which were once used for carp farming. The waters are therefore associated both with the landscape and with a historic use.
The carp season opens with the Carp Festival and the draining of the Herrenteich; dates vary from year to year. Tench, eels, pike and trout are also sold in Reinfeld. For anyone interested in regional fish traditions, these other fish species associated with the town offer more to discover alongside the seasonal Carp Festival.
There is an open bathing area at the Herrenteich that is generally unmonitored. Non-motorized boats and SUPs may be used without a permit if you notify the town. A canoe launch is located where the Heilsau/MĂĽhlenau meets the Trave.
Local cultural history
The Matthias Claudius Church is a plastered brick building dating from 1636. The local history museum displays paintings by Reinfeld artists from the past 100 years. Its collection also includes material related to Matthias Claudius’ work; the museum provides information about the former monastery and castle, too.
Reinfeld’s sights include the parsonage, built on the walls of Matthias Claudius’ birthplace, the 1907 town hall and the Privileged Pharmacy. Visitors can see the mill museum in the Claudiushof by prior arrangement. Confirm your appointment before visiting so you can plan this cultural stop accordingly.
Walking routes and longer tours
The “Around the Herrenteich” nature trail is a four-kilometre loop around the lower Herrenteich. It features 16 stops and runs right along the edge of the “Upper Herrenteich” nature reserve. A hiking trail between Reinfeld and Reinbek has existed since 1988. If you prefer a longer cycling route, you can start Reinfeld’s 39-kilometre “Through the Hill Country and Trave Lowlands” tour. This gives you a choice between a four-kilometre loop and a significantly longer cycling tour.
When looking for accommodation in Reinfeld, let the focus of your trip guide your choice: water activities at the Herrenteich, cultural and historical sights, or a longer cycling tour can each shape your stay in a different way.
Stormarn in a wider context
The wider Stormarn destination takes you beyond Reinfeld. Stormarn lies in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region between Hamburg and Lübeck and is well suited to day trips. The region is characterised by extensive forests and moorlands. Hahnheide is Stormarn’s largest nature reserve and offers extensive hiking opportunities. Brenner Moor is considered Schleswig-Holstein’s largest inland salt marsh; it features a section of boardwalk and a trail with ten observation points.
Stormarn also offers a wider choice of cycling routes, including more than 20 circular cycling tours and rail-trail routes along the tracks of three former railway lines. On Rail-Trail B, the “Mail Train Robbery on the State Railway Line” mystery trail combines a cycling tour with a puzzle experience based on a fictional historic mail train robbery. Stormarn’s cultural heritage also includes Ahrensburg Castle: it was completed in 1585 and has been used continuously as a museum since 1955.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Bargteheide, Jersbek, Oststeinbek, Heilshoop, Hamberge, Rausdorf, Ahrensburg, GroĂźhansdorf.
Back to the main travel overview: Stormarn.
