Hamberge between a brick church and the Trave

Hamberge combines a striking brick church with opportunities for paddling on the Trave. Cultural history, pilgrimage routes and activities on the water give the village a range of distinctive features. The accommodation that suits your trip also depends on what you plan to do: the parish offers pilgrims accommodation in the parish hall; confirm its availability before you arrive.

The church: architectural history and special features

The brick church in Hamberge probably dates from 1327/1328. Its furnishings include a baptismal font made of Gotland limestone and an altar made in Lübeck by Hassenberg in 1722. Remains of an earlier baptismal and wayside chapel have been preserved at the northeast corner. In this preserved chapel area is a cross painted in a lime-based color and bearing a pilgrim symbol.

Other details connect the church with its surroundings and different periods: six stained-glass windows by Lübeck artist Erich Klahn name Hamberge residents who died in the First World War. Five brass lamps were individually designed around 1926 by Lübeck artists Asmus and Martha Jessen. A fire destroyed the old wooden church tower and the Marcussen organ in 1957. Concerts are also held in the church; dates may vary. If you are planning to attend an event, check the concert dates before your trip.

Paddling on the Trave

Hamberge has a canoe rest and bivouac station on the Trave. The canoe launch beside the road bridge to Lübeck provides convenient, straightforward access to the water; access conditions may change. The Trave between Bad Oldesloe and Lübeck has a gentle current and no obstacles; this stretch is suitable for beginners. Water conditions may vary by season. Beginners can also paddle upstream near Hamberge, although water levels and safety conditions may vary.

Paddlers can also use the longer river route as a guide: the Trave is navigable year-round for approximately 85 kilometers from Wardersee to the Baltic Sea; boats must be carried around obstacles at some points. Water levels and nature conservation notices are key to navigating the river. As a waterway, the Trave connects to the Baltic Sea via Travemünde, to the Schaalsee area via the Wakenitz, and to the Elbe and its tributaries via the Elbe-Lübeck Canal.

Pilgrimage and other activities

The Hamberge parish is on the Way of St. James, though the church building itself is not necessarily on the route. Check the route before setting off. The parish offers pilgrims accommodation in the parish hall; confirm availability before you arrive. The Travereithof offers a different focus: riding, horse accommodation and riding-school activities are among its offerings. This lets you plan your trip around a specific activity without combining the pilgrimage route, equestrian sports and a paddling tour into a single itinerary.

Stormarn as a wider travel area

For a broader look at the region, Stormarn, between Hamburg and Lübeck, is a travel area in its own right and is well suited to day trips. Its character is shaped by extensive forests and moorlands, as well as opportunities for hiking and experiencing nature. One specific example is the “Around Herrenteich” nature trail in Reinfeld: the circular route is four kilometers long, has 16 stations and runs directly along the edge of the Upper Herrenteich Nature Reserve.

Culture and cycling add to these regional options. Ahrensburg Castle was completed in 1585 and has served continuously as a museum since 1955. Stormarn has more than 20 cycling tours; the BahnRadWege cycle routes follow the tracks of former railway lines through the countryside. These examples are part of the wider destination of Stormarn and offer a different kind of guidance from the local options in Hamberge.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Heilshoop, Mönkhagen, Glinde, Barsbüttel, Badendorf, Bad Oldesloe, Hoisdorf, Lasbek.

Back to the regional travel overview: Stormarn.