Discover Högsdorf

Högsdorf is best explored via a trail that combines nature and cultural hiking. It leads via Schoppelweg to Högsdorf and onwards towards Helmstorf. Along the way, traces of different eras meet a varied landscape. The point-to-point hike is about 13 kilometres long and takes around four hours—a clear timeframe for planning an active day.

Hiking between nature and culture

Burial mounds lie along the Högsdorf-Helmstorf trail. Other sights along the route include the Gut Helmstorf nature trail and the former Lütjenburg–Gremsmühlen railway line, dating from 1892. The route combines nature and cultural hiking, offering different perspectives on the landscape and its history.

As a point-to-point hike, the route requires a little more planning than a short walk without a set destination: allow about four hours for the roughly 13 kilometres. Those interested in archaeological traces will find the burial mounds along the way; the nature trail and the former railway line add other regional themes to these stops.

Fields, boulders and woodland

Near Schoppelweg, a gap in the hedge opens up a view across cultivated fields. Large boulders along the way are identified as remnants of the Plön ice lobe from the Weichselian glaciation. The route also crosses the Alte Mühlenau and passes through the Achtersöhren forest. There are large oaks there; other landscape features described include a pond with pollarded willows and a woodland pool.

Plants at the woodland pool include yellow flag irises, primroses and toothwort. Their visibility varies with the season. Along the route, open views across fields alternate with woodland sections and small bodies of water. This offers a different focus for planning than the historic sites: here, the landscape and its seasonal plant life are centre stage.

Place name and estate landscape

Högsdorf is recorded under the historical forms HUSSEKENDORP, HOSTORPE, HÖSTORF and HOESTORFF. The place has borne its current name since 1810. The history of the estate landscape can also be placed in a historical timeframe: much of the land in the Helmstorf estate district was leased from the late 18th century until the estate districts were dissolved in 1927. Högsdorf was sold in 1928 by the owner of the estate.

The former railway line dating from 1892, the burial mounds and the history of the place highlight different historical periods. They do not all belong to a single era: the historical name forms reach back into earlier records, while the information about leasing and the sale covers specific periods from the late 18th century to 1928.

Visitor information

The Högsdorf–Lütjenburg section is suitable for pushchairs throughout. The route has no steep sections. As trail conditions can change, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

The Högsdorf Siedlung bus stop is accessible at all times. The route can be reached on bus route 310 from Kiel to Schmiedendorf; a return connection runs from Lütjenburg towards Kiel. Check the timetable and return connection before your trip to ensure your plans fit the available travel times.

The wider area: Plön

In the wider destination of Plön, Plön District lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. The district has around 80 lakes, including Lake Plön, which covers 29 square kilometres, and Lake Selent, which covers 22 square kilometres. These figures convey the scale of the lakes in Plön District.

Large parts of the district belong to Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. It covers 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to experience nature and see rare animals. Cycling and Nordic walking are also popular across the district: Plön District has an 850-kilometre signposted cycling network with destination and distance signs, as well as developed Nordic walking trails.

Discover more destinations: Bokhorst-Wankendorf, Ruhwinkel, Plön, Preetz-Land, Schwentinental, Wahlstorf, Löptin, Pohnsdorf

Go to the main travel overview: Plön.