Löptin: Cycling Route, Lake and Village Traditions

Löptin’s special character has several facets: the Vicelin Cycle Route passes through the village, there is a bathing spot on Lake Löptin, and Sirtaki is part of local tradition. The village also has a name documented since the Middle Ages and a municipal coat of arms with its own historical background. This offers different focal points for planning your trip: cycling, village culture and the lake.

Along the Vicelin Cycle Route through Löptin

The Vicelin Cycle Route runs through Löptin and continues to Wankendorf, Ruhwinkel and Bornhöved. It is approximately 100 kilometres long; the tour can be divided into four stages or two day trips. These two options offer different ways to plan around the time available for your trip. The route also connects with the Ochsenweg, the Holstein Switzerland Cycling Tour and the Mönchsweg. This provides route options ranging from the stretch through Löptin to three other named cycle routes. Before setting out, check the route, signage and connections, as routes may change.

Bathing spot and village centre on Lake Löptin

There is a bathing spot on Lake Löptin. A description from 2021 mentions a small lawn and a wooden jetty there; check before your visit whether these facilities are still available. Despite the nearby B 404 and A 21, the village centre around the lake is considered quiet. If a quiet location is important to you when choosing accommodation, check the specific location of the property: this description refers to the village centre around the lake.

Local history and Sirtaki tradition

The name Löptin is of Slavic origin and was first documented in 1224. The municipal coat of arms is based on the seal of the squire Johannes Lubbetin from 1346. Löptin is also considered the only municipality in Schleswig-Holstein with a heraldic coat of arms. These details give the village’s history a concrete connection to its name and heraldic tradition.

Greek folk dance is also part of the village’s cultural life: a description from 2021 identifies Sirtaki as a Löptin tradition and reports regular performances at Maypole and village festivals. Check in advance whether the dance is on the programme at a particular festival. This lets you take local traditions into account when planning your trip without assuming that they will feature at any specific festival.

Nature conservation areas around Löptin

Löptin lies within the Bornhöved Lakes and Old Schwentine (Kührener Au) to Kührenerbrücke and Surroundings Landscape Protection Area; this includes the Old Schwentine, also known as the Kührener Au, as far as Kührenerbrücke. Löptin is also included in the Postsee-Neuwührener Au-Klosterforst Preetz and Surroundings Landscape Protection Area. This area is considered important for species and habitat conservation and for recreation in the natural landscape. If the exact boundary of a protected area matters for your plans, check the current designation in advance.

Plön as the wider destination

The wider destination of Plön includes Plön District, which lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. The district is home to around 80 lakes, including Lake Großer Plöner See, at 29 km², and Lake Selenter See, at 22 km². There are opportunities for swimming along the district’s Baltic Sea coast, and you can explore the district by canoe on the Schwentine Water Trail. You can also travel on the lakes by sailboat or excursion boat.

Cyclists in Plön District can also use 850 kilometres of signposted cycling routes and developed Nordic walking trails. Check current route details before setting out.

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide what you would like to focus on: should Löptin, with its local history, bathing spot and cycle route, be at the centre of your trip, or would you also like to include options in the wider destination of Plön?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Passade, Kühren, Nettelsee, Plön, Fargau-Pratjau, Lake Großer Plöner See, Pohnsdorf and Ruhwinkel.

Back to the wider travel overview: Plön.