Hörsten: Canal, Wet Meadows and Schachtholm Airfield

The Kiel Canal runs through Hörsten and shapes the character of the village, as do the extensive areas within the municipality: they consist mainly of wet meadows and pastureland. Visitors who want to focus on water and open landscapes during their stay will find both as distinct themes here. The waterways along the village boundaries are also part of the picture: the Luhnau separates Hörsten from Breiholz and Hamweddel, while the Jevenau separates it from Schülp bei Rendsburg.

Canal, cycling route and views from above

Schachtholm Airfield is on the southern side of the canal in Hörsten. Sightseeing flights over Schleswig-Holstein can take off from there. The 325-kilometre NOK Route offers another perspective on the canal region: it runs along the Kiel Canal and through its hinterland. The sightseeing flight and cycling route offer different experiences—one takes you up into the air, while the other follows a longer route along the canal and through the surrounding countryside. This lets you plan your trip around what interests you most, without confusing the different experiences.

What to consider when choosing a motorhome site

The motorhome site at Schachtholm NOK Airfield is in Hörsten. Only a road separates the site from the Kiel Canal. The operator lists 52 pitches directly beside the canal. There is one clear condition for arrival: only motorhomes with their own wet room are permitted. There are no sanitary facilities on site. Check the current admission requirements and site availability with the operator before you arrive. This information is especially useful when choosing a location if you are travelling by motorhome and need to take the facilities at the specific site into account.

Regional cuisine at the airfield

The Himmelsstürmer restaurant at Schachtholm Airfield serves regional and Balkan cuisine. These two culinary traditions give the dining options a distinctive character. This means that, alongside the canal, landscape and airfield, there is also a specific restaurant to consider when planning your trip. When looking for accommodation, you can first decide whether Hörsten and its canal surroundings suit your interests; details of a particular accommodation offer should be checked separately.

Rendsburg-Eckernförde as a wider destination

The wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde offers further landscapes to explore. The district has 55 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline and a signposted network of 1,000 kilometres of cycling routes. It is also home to four nature parks. Numerous lake complexes shape the landscape of Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park, which includes Westensee, covering around seven square kilometres and a popular destination for day trips. The banks of the Eider in this nature park are a habitat for kingfishers.

There is also a regional option for hiking: the 180-kilometre Nature Park Hiking Trail runs through the four nature parks in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde. In fine weather, the panoramic view from the 98-metre-high Aschberg extends to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel. These sights are part of the wider destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde and complement the description of Hörsten with more ways to explore nature, cycling and hiking.

Discover more destinations: Luhnstedt.

Go to the wider travel overview: Jevenstedt.