Ziethen: Discover an old village green settlement

Ziethen is a rural village with the character of an old village green settlement. St. Laurentius, the churchyard wall dating from around 1600, the lower village pond and the surrounding farmsteads together shape the village’s appearance. The proximity to many lakes and the Baltic Sea offers opportunities for leisure and relaxation; at the same time, the village’s history invites you to get to know the place more closely.

Village centre and church history

The village name was first mentioned in 1158. A chapel dedicated to St. Laurentius stood on the site of today’s church; Ziethen became an independent parish in 1599. The three present-day localities are the main village around the church dating from 1595, as well as Wietingsbek and Sande. The coat of arms also reflects a change in the landscape: it refers to the former Ziethen Lake, which was drained at the end of the 19th century. The church, its wall, the village pond and the farmsteads each tell a different part of the village’s history.

Hiking between moorland, forest and lakes

One specific hiking option is the official circular route “From the Garrenseerinne to Salem Moor”. The 12.3-kilometre tour is rated moderate and starts and ends at a car park between Ziethen and Mustin. It follows the eastern shore of Lake Garrensee and passes Plötschersee, Schwarze Kuhle and Salem Moor. The route’s landscapes include moorland, mixed forests and several lakes formed during the last Ice Age. Its length and difficulty rating provide a clear guide when choosing your hike.

Another hike leads from a meeting point near Ziethen through forest and open countryside. Along the way, there are views of Lake Lankower See; the route crosses the border into Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and follows the former patrol road along the lake’s northern shore. This offers a choice of different focuses: a circular route with a set distance and named landscape features, or a hike guided by lake views and the former border.

In the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg

The broader landscape extends beyond Ziethen: 26 percent of the Duchy of Lauenburg district is forest, and it includes 48 lakes. In the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, well-marked hiking and cycling trails lead through forests, meadows, moors and waterways, along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal and past lakes. Activities in the nature park include hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in forest lakes. Regional specialities also add to your day-trip plans: across the wider Lauenburg area, these include game, fine fish, asparagus and fruit. The selection may vary by season.

Plan your journey and choose accommodation

For travel to the hiking routes, note that bus 131 to Ziethen or Sande runs infrequently, while bus 8790 to Salem or Seekamp operates on weekdays. Check the timetable before setting out; route and parking conditions may also change. Match the location of your accommodation to the destinations you actually plan to visit.

Discover more destinations: Lankau, Möhnsen, Müssen, Breitenfelde, Brunstorf, Hollenbek, Wohltorf, Lehmrade

Return to the main travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.