Hohenaspe: St. Michaelis and routes through the countryside
Accommodation in Hohenaspe
Hohenaspe brings together church architecture and routes through varied landscapes. St. Michaelis combines several building phases with remarkable features; the routes pass through meadows and lowlands, along quiet roads and through woodland. If you are looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether the church, cycling or a hiking stage will be the main focus of your stay.
St. Michaelis: building history and features
The church’s history dates back to the end of the 12th century: construction began in fieldstone, and the nave was later raised in brick. The chancel, which dates from the 14th century, has a ribbed vault and two side chapels. An open bell tower stands west of the nave, and the Güter Tour recommends visiting it as a point of interest.
The church’s history can also be seen in specific works inside. The wooden altarpiece, dating from around 1480, depicts a figurative Crucifixion scene. Other features include a Renaissance pulpit dating from around 1560 and a bronze baptismal font cast in 1630. The church also has a crypt belonging to Margrave Friedrich Ernst of Kulmbach and his wife. Visitor parking is available at Kirchenstraße 10 in Hohenaspe.
Routes with contrasting landscapes
The GĂĽter Tour leads to Hohenaspe and recommends stopping at St. Michaelis to see the tower. On the way back to Itzehoe, the route follows quiet, minor roads. A detour leads to the Muldsberger Grube, a former clay-mining area with a lake and circular path. The route then passes through a forest to Drage, where another manor complex is located. Check current route conditions before setting off.
The Auenwiesen Tour approaches Hohenaspe through wide meadows, fields and lowlands. A section through Aukrug Nature Park showcases the varied Geest landscape of the natural region. After Hohenaspe, the route continues along quiet roads to Drage and into Barlohe State Forest. The tours offer contrasting highlights: the GĂĽter Tour passes points of interest including the church tower, the former clay pit and the manor complex, while the Auenwiesen Tour crosses open countryside and Geest before reaching the forest.
There is also a long-distance hiking route through the area: the seventh stage of the Schlei-Eider-Elbe long-distance trail passes through Hohenaspe and continues through Halloh State Forest towards Itzehoe. It offers a different way to plan a route from the tours described above. Check the current trail markings before setting off.
Nature and the wider destination of Steinburg
A report dated June 16, 2026, is about a pair of cranes that stay in Hohenaspe year-round. However, an encounter is not guaranteed; sightings vary by season.
In the wider destination of Steinburg, the varied landscape stretches from the Elbe to the Holsteiner Auenland. Five long-distance cycle routes are named in the wider Holstein region: the Elbe Cycle Route, North Sea Cycle Route, Ochsenweg, Mönchsweg and Kiel Canal Route. The Elbe Cycle Route is also one of the five long-distance cycle routes that pass through the district of Steinburg.
Culinary experiences are also part of the Steinburg destination: these include farm shops, restaurants, the Holsteiner Teller, the GlĂĽckstadt Herring Days and Steinburg Game Weeks. Dates and availability may vary for recurring events and offers. The Game Weeks take place seasonally from mid-September to the end of October; during this time, Steinburg chefs prepare traditional and inventive dishes featuring hare, roe deer, wild boar or wild duck. Check current dates and participating venues before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Breitenburg, Altenmoor, Elskop, Nortorf, Itzehoe, Holstenniendorf, Rethwisch, Wilster
For the wider travel overview: Steinburg.
