Discover Hohenlockstedt: History and Landscapes
Accommodation in Hohenlockstedt
Hohenlockstedt combines a distinctive local history with walking and cycling tours, as well as destinations centered on nature and regional produce. The local history museum is dedicated to the town’s past and its former identity as the Lockstedter Lager; the Imperial Training Ground Tour crosses the site of the former training ground. The water tower and Lohmühlenteich pond, west of the town, add their own distinctive touches. When looking for accommodation, you can first consider whether history, activity, scenery, or culinary discoveries will shape your stay.
Local History Museum and Water Tower: The History of the Lockstedter Lager
The local history museum is housed in a historic pump house next to the listed water tower. It presents the town’s history and Hohenlockstedt’s former identity as the Lockstedter Lager. Its main themes also include the settlement of the former artillery range. The museum also commemorates Hohenlockstedt’s traditional ties with the Finnish Jägers.
The water tower was built in 1900 and is considered a symbol of the Lockstedter Lager. You can climb the tower and enjoy views of the surrounding geest landscape from a height of about 18 metres. The museum and tower offer different ways to explore the town’s history: the exhibition focuses on historical developments, while the view from the tower takes in the geest landscape.
Tours Through the History of the Training Ground and the Rantzau Valley
The Imperial Training Ground Tour is a walking and cycling route across the grounds of the former Lockstedter Lager. It starts at the museum by the water tower and passes nine historic military training sites, including bunkers. Information boards in German and Finnish accompany the signposted route. One section follows the Ox Road through the Rantzau Valley, a protected FFH site. The renaturalised valley provides a habitat for many rare animal and plant species. This tour combines military history stops with a stretch of countryside whose significance also lies in its habitats.
Another cycling option is the Meadows and Forests Tour. It is about 25 kilometres long and runs mainly along paved roads and quiet stretches of road. The route also passes through Hohenlockstedt and follows traces of its history. The two tours have different focuses: the Meadows and Forests Tour has a stated approximate distance and road surface; the Imperial Training Ground Tour takes you to historic training sites and through a section of the Rantzau Valley. This gives you concrete themes and route features to consider when choosing a tour, without treating the routes as the same.
LohmĂĽhlenteich: Swimming Area and Nature Trail
LohmĂĽhlenteich pond lies about 1.5 kilometres west of Hohenlockstedt in a protected landscape area. The pond has a swimming area, a sunbathing lawn, and wooded surroundings; there is also a 1,000-metre-long nature trail. Admission and parking are free. Motorhome pitches and a kiosk are also available. LohmĂĽhlenteich offers a different experience from the routes through the former Lockstedter Lager: here, the focus is on the swimming area, the shoreline surroundings, and a short nature trail.
Farm Shops and Guided Discoveries
The Meierhof Möllgaard demonstration cheese dairy shows how cheese is made. The farm shop offers up to 90 speciality cheeses from 25 dairies, mostly small farm dairies. At Fischzucht Knutzen, the farm shop sells fresh and smoked fish as well as other fish specialities. The traditional carp ponds are also a destination for anglers and others seeking recreation.
Bernd’s Kartoffelhof provides information about potato varieties and its own growing methods, from harvest to plate. The farm shop sells potatoes bearing a quality mark and other regional products. Hohenlockstedt erleben offers themed visits and guided tours with tastings, snacks, or full meals. There is also an accessible rest stop for short programmes and refreshments. The Lichtzentrum SaSha has a different focus: its sensory experiences incorporate herbs, meditation, Feng Shui, and ecological building.
Discover more destinations: Dägeling, Wacken, Lägerdorf, Altenmoor, Puls, Sankt Margarethen, Kellinghusen, Sarlhusen.
For the regional travel overview: Steinburg.
