Nesow: Discover history and routes

Nesow combines the story of a former refugee camp with routes that make the area part of cycling and hiking itineraries. An information board commemorates the camp; a circular cycling route and two hiking trails pass through or near Nesow. This offers two clearly different ways to explore: you can learn about post-war history or discover the area as part of a specific route.

Remembering the Quarantine Camp

After the Second World War, up to 4,000 displaced people temporarily lived at the quarantine camp in Nesow, most of them Catholic refugees from northern Bohemia and Silesia. The camp operated from 1946 until the 1970s. An information board in the area commemorates the former camp. A field path leading to the former camp branches off about 100 metres after you cross the B 104. The board and the path provide two specific points of reference if you would like to learn about Nesow’s history.

Circular cycling route and hiking trails

The approximately 26-kilometre circular route through the terminal moraine landscape passes through Dorf Nesow and Nesow. Its approximate length gives you a concrete basis for planning your day; the time you allow will depend on your own pace and the breaks you plan. The Nonnenweg from Rehna to Zarrentin passes through Nesow. Along the way, it first passes Gutshaus Nesow and then goes through the village. The Mönch-Ernestus hiking trail also passes through Nesow, on the route from Ratzeburg to Rehna. There is a cycle path between Rehna and Nesow; according to an announcement dated 8 July 2025, the Schwerin road construction authority planned to renovate it.

The circular cycling route’s approximately 26 kilometres give you a rough basis for planning your day; for the hiking trails, the connections from Rehna to Zarrentin and from Ratzeburg to Rehna are what matter. The Nonnenweg from Rehna to Zarrentin first passes Gutshaus Nesow and then continues through the village. The Mönch-Ernestus hiking trail connects Ratzeburg and Rehna and also passes through Nesow.

Nesow as a reason to travel

If you are looking for accommodation in Nesow, use the reason for your trip as your first filter. If post-war history is your main focus, the information board and the connection to the former camp are central. If you want your stay to focus more on outdoor activities, choose between the circular cycling route and the two hiking connections based on their route types and the places they pass. This lets you tailor your search to the kind of stay that matters to you. If you would like to combine historical exploration and outdoor activities, you can plan them as separate items in your itinerary rather than combining the different routes into a single outing.

Discover more destinations: Wedendorfersee, Vitense, Utecht, Schlagsdorf, Groß Molzahn, Rieps, Carlow, Königsfeld.

See the wider travel overview: Amt Rehna.