Todesfelde: Heathland, Barefoot Park and History

In Todesfelde, open heathland meets an activity park with a barefoot trail and a corn maze. The small church also tells the story of the village through its architecture and individual features. These different themes give you a practical basis for planning your trip: you can combine nature, activity and historical discoveries without focusing your stay on just one attraction.

Heathland and archaeological traces

The protected Barker Heide is in the northern part of the municipality of Todesfelde, next to Segeberger Forst. Its open heathland and grassland provide a habitat for red-listed meadow birds, including the Eurasian curlew, common snipe and northern lapwing. The rare woodlark is also among the species mentioned. For nature enthusiasts, Barker Heide offers a distinctive glimpse into the habitats of this landscape.

Traces reaching far back in time also form part of the wider picture of the area: archaeological work in the Todesfelde region documented settlement remains from the Bronze Age and the pre-Roman Iron Age. The finds include a burial ground with 150 Bronze Age cremation graves. The Todesfelder Urne, dated to around 500 BC, is considered the principal find. These discoveries give the landscape a historical dimension that is quite distinct from its present-day natural setting.

Barefoot Park: trails, maze and activities

At the Barefoot Park, the focus is on experiencing different surfaces firsthand. The trail includes, among other things, wood, sand, bark mulch and clay, as well as peat bog, streams, rounded glass, peach stones and LEGO bricks. The green trail is the main barefoot path and is designed for all visitors. Other sections may include mud, wobbly bridges and climbing elements. So, as well as taking a more leisurely stroll along the trail, visitors can also find sections that involve more movement.

The corn maze offers a different kind of shared activity: its winding paths, changes of direction and small puzzles make finding your way part of the fun. As the maze is redesigned each year, its layout changes regularly. The activities also include themed workshops, nature trails and environmental education; outdoor games, climbing, barefoot activities and picnics are also possible. Programs and booking details may change, so it is worth checking the latest information in advance.

If travelling by car, take the A21 exit for Bad Segeberg/Leezen. Free parking is available directly at the site. Snacks and drinks are available on site; for day visitors, a pavilion with a barbecue and tables can be booked. Check the latest information about directions, parking, food and reservations before your visit.

Todesfelde Church and local history

Todesfelde Church is a Neo-Gothic brick building that was consecrated in 1900. Its individual features reflect different stages in its history: the tower clock was installed in 1910 by J. F. Weule of Bockenem in the Harz Mountains. The artist Max Schegulla redesigned the group of windows in the choir in 1967. Anyone interested in architectural history will find specific dates and names here that help trace the building’s evolution.

The church is also a landmark along a longer route: the 42-kilometre Mönchsweg excursion to Nütschau Monastery passes the small church in Todesfelde. This lets you combine a look at the village with a longer excursion. The church and the route appeal to different interests: architectural history on the one hand, and a broader journey on the other.

More options in the Segeberg destination

If you are planning to explore beyond Todesfelde, you can also include the wider Segeberg destination. There, Segeberger Forst is a large woodland covering 40 square kilometres, ideal for nature-focused excursions. At Wildpark Eekholt, visitors can observe more than 700 animals from 100 species across 67 hectares; check the animal and species counts again before visiting. These examples complement the open habitats of Barker Heide with other nature experiences, though they offer a different kind of outing.

You can also plan a cultural outing in the wider Segeberg destination that differs from a visit to Todesfelde Church: the Karl May Festival takes place every summer at the open-air theatre at the foot of Bad Segeberg’s Kalkberg hill. Each performance can accommodate up to 7,700 spectators. As this is a seasonal event, check the specific performance dates before your trip. When choosing accommodation, you can first decide whether to focus on experiences in Todesfelde or also include places like these elsewhere in the Segeberg destination.

Discover more destinations: Leezen, Norderstedt, Trappenkamp, Bebensee, Nahe, Bimöhlen, Bark, Stocksee.

Go to the broader travel overview: Segeberg.