Hohenhorn: Village History, Open Countryside and the Sachsenwald

Village History, Open Countryside and the Sachsenwald

Hohenhorn brings local village history and rural nature together in a tangible way. At the Brink, the layout of the historic village green is still recognisable; several memorial stones mark events in the village’s history. A walk through Hohenhorn can take in the Brink and the memorial stones, bringing the village’s history into view as you explore.

The Sachsenwald adjoins Hohenhorn directly on its western edge. The forest is a destination for horse riding and cycling, while Hohenhorn’s varied open countryside is ideal for walks. This offers different ways to enjoy the outdoors side by side: cycling and horse-riding days in the forest, or walks through the fields.

Hohenhorn has a farm shop, and a strawberry farm offers pick-your-own fruit in summer. As this is a seasonal offer, check locally before your visit to see whether pick-your-own is available on your chosen date. In the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg, country cafés and farm cafés are also known for their homemade cakes made with regional produce; individual businesses may change.

The wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg

If you would like to explore more nature-related attractions beyond Hohenhorn, the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg offers a broader landscape setting. At district level, 26 percent of the area is forest, and the district also includes 48 lakes. The district is home to the Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous forest. These regional highlights complement Hohenhorn’s specific local focus with more landscapes and experiences.

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park offers hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest. It has been designated a protected area for visitors to enjoy since 1960. You can hike, cycle, canoe and swim in forest lakes there; four signposted cycling routes provide several marked options. Guided excursions with experts explore the district’s wildlife, plant life and cultural history; check the dates in advance. In the wider Duchy of Lauenburg, the observation tower by Lake Mechow also invites visitors to watch waterbirds. With a little luck, you may spot a white-tailed eagle there too.

Nature and Culture in the Duchy

The Uhlenkolk Environmental Centre in Mölln offers nature education and experiences for kindergartens, school classes, families and adults. Check the current conditions before your visit. For the history of technology, visit the Elbe Shipping Museum in Lauenburg/Elbe. Its interactive, three-storey exhibition, “Man-Model-Machine”, explores shipping; visitors can get hands-on with models and practical stations. The Duchy of Lauenburg District Museum in Ratzeburg displays exhibits on the history of the Dukes of Lauenburg and the border between East and West Germany. The four-week Kultursommer am Kanal cultural festival also takes place along the canal every summer. Check that year’s programme when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Mechow, Seedorf, Wohltorf, Grambek, Groß Grönau, Aumühle, Alt Mölln, Gudow.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Duchy of Lauenburg.