Achterwehr: Swimming, Paddling and Westensee Nature Park

Achterwehr combines activities on the water with a landscape that is protected in many areas. Large parts of the municipality lie in protected landscapes or nature reserves and belong to Westensee Nature Park. This makes for a varied itinerary: there is a public swimming spot on Lake Ahrensee, while paddling, cycling and hiking offer other ways to explore. Families can plan their days around their appetite for time on the water, exercise or a cultural detour.

Swimming and Paddling

There is a public swimming spot on Lake Ahrensee with a small sandy beach and sunbathing lawn, which are used for swimming and relaxing in summer. As swimming facilities and seasonal use may change, it is advisable to check the current status before your trip.

Achterwehr is the only publicly identified launch site for watercraft in the Westensee area. Access to the lake is subject to nature conservation regulations; in some cases, a valid RSVW permit is required. As rules for water activities can change, you should check them before setting out. Swimming and paddling therefore involve different planning considerations: seasonal use matters for a day at the swimming spot, while a trip on the lake also requires checking the rules in force.

Trails through the Nature Park

Lake Ahrensee lies within the Ahrensee Nature Reserve. The routes also offer different perspectives on the region: the Eiderring Canal is included in Westensee Nature Park Cycling Route 4 and Hiking Route 1 on the hiking map. Check the route numbers and the current map before setting off. In total, four themed cycling routes run through Westensee Nature Park. Guided cycling tours for groups visit viewpoints and sights there; check their availability in advance.

The approximately 35-kilometre-long Nature Park Hiking Trail passes through Quarnbek, Achterwehr, Felde and Westensee. Before setting off, it is worth checking the waymarking and trail conditions. Canoe and kayak trips on the Eiderring Canal can take you to the Kiel Canal or Lake Westensee. Check the water conditions in advance and, if you need to rent a boat, check its availability.

Art and Planning the Right Trip

GAK – Gallery for Contemporary Art is a cultural meeting place for artists and visitors interested in art. The gallery presents changing exhibitions in Achterwehr’s former primary school. As the programme changes, it is advisable to check in advance what will be on view during your stay. This gives you a cultural option alongside the swimming spot and tours.

Families can weigh up which of these experiences matter for their trip and use them to guide their search for accommodation in Achterwehr. The Rendsburg-Eckernförde district also has a signposted cycling network spanning 1,000 kilometres. If you would like to include more cycling in your trip, you can consider this regional network alongside the routes in the nature park.

Discover More Destinations

Felde, Schönhagen, Steenfeld, Nortorf, Oldenbüttel, Hamweddel, Meezen, Loose

For the main travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.