Lehmrade: Marshes, Lakes and a Crane Stopover

Lehmrade is surrounded by core areas of the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. The nature reserves each have their own character: Hellbachtal lies to the west, the Oldenburger See nature reserve borders Lehmrade to the north, and the Bannauer Moor protected area lies to the east. The Oldenburger See nature reserve is one of northern Germany’s largest crane stopover sites; Bannauer Moor is associated with the red deer rut.

Lakes, Marshes and Hellbachtal

Krebssee lies in Hellbachtal, with water clarity reaching up to seven metres, although this can vary with seasonal water conditions. Rare peat mosses, sedges and marsh calla grow along the shores of Schwarzsee. The silted-up zones of Lottsee provide habitat for endangered plant species. The terrain is also notable: Hellbachtal includes a channel about 20 to 30 metres deep. Together, the protected areas encompass a range of natural features—from crane stopovers and the red deer rut to distinctive plant habitats and bodies of water.

Walking Trails and Cycling Routes

Hellbachtal has marked walking trails of various lengths. When planning your outing, you can first choose a route based on the distance you want to cover; check current trail conditions before setting out. The Kirchenradtour and Möllner Radweg 2 cycle routes both pass through Hellbachtal at Adam und Eva. The Alte Salzstraße is a separate route: a stretch of about five kilometres runs through the municipality of Lehmrade. The Tiefe Kuhlen visitor car park is between Drüsen and Lehmrade; it is best to check the current parking rules on site.

No horse riding or prior experience is required for Kranichtal-Pferdezeit. Check the provider’s participation terms before your visit, as they may change. This means you can choose from activities other than walking and cycling too, without needing any riding experience.

Lehmrade in the Duchy of Lauenburg

Lehmrade is regarded as a largely rural recreation area for Mölln and the wider Lübeck and Hamburg region. The Duchy of Lauenburg offers a broader setting as a travel destination: the district has 48 lakes and is 26 percent forested. In the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, you can hike, cycle, canoe and swim in forest lakes; there are also four signposted cycling routes. This regional perspective complements the natural attractions around Lehmrade and opens up further options for planning your day.

Getting There and Accommodation

Bus 8514 serves the Drüsen stop for access to Hellbachtal, while rail service RE83 serves Mölln station. Check current timetables before travelling. In Drüsen, a campsite is located right by Lütauer See. Check its operating status and availability in advance for your travel dates. When planning your accommodation, you can also consider which natural attractions and routes you would like to make the focus of your stay.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Römnitz, Ratzeburg, Schönberg, Kittlitz, Salem, Alt Mölln, Wohltorf, Hohenhorn.

Go to the regional travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.