Discover the Lauenburg Lakes

The Lauenburg Lakes combine forests, water and a distinctive hilly landscape shaped by the Ice Age. Around 40 lakes characterize the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park and give the destination its unique rhythm. Depending on whether you are looking for nature observation, exercise, water sports or cultural discoveries with your family, you can choose your holiday apartment based on a different focus for your vacation.

Lake landscapes and paths through nature

Those who want to spend time outdoors will find a varied landscape in the nature park, with forests, bodies of water and elevations shaped by the Ice Age. A special viewpoint is the observation tower on the northwestern shore of Lake Mechow. From there, you can look out over the glacial channel lake and its numerous waterfowl. This place brings the landscape vividly to life and is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to consciously include peaceful encounters with nature during their stay.

There are 22 proposed cycling routes for the Lauenburg Lakes administrative district. Depending on the distances and the condition of the routes, many of these paths can also be used as hiking trails. This allows you to adapt your daily plans to different interests: you can choose a cycling tour or use individual sections as a hiking route. The specific distances and the condition of each route should suit your own plans.

Water activities on Lake Ratzeburg

Lake Ratzeburg is an important starting point for activities on the water. At the water sports center there, you can rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and water bikes. This selection gives families with different preferences a variety of ways to spend an active day on the water. You can also circumnavigate the island town of Ratzeburg on hydrobikes.

North of Ratzeburg, the waters in the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park are part of the Lauenburg Lakes–Trave water sports area. If you are focusing on water activities when looking for a holiday apartment, you can use these offerings as a guide to the type of vacation you want. Another special experience is the Ratzeburg adventure railway: on a disused railway line, muscle-powered rail velocipedes travel along the 13 km route from Ratzeburg to Hollenbek through the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. The route length is a specific factor for planning your excursion, without allowing a particular travel time to be inferred from it.

Art in the villages

The region also has its own cultural highlights. The “Villages Show Art” exhibition series has been organized by the Lauenburg Lakes administrative district since 2004; until 2006, it was called the Ratzeburg-Land administrative district. During the series, village community centers are transformed into galleries for craftspeople, sculptors and painters. On four summer weekends, visitors are invited to exhibitions and special events at up to 20 different locations in and around the administrative district, extending into Mecklenburg.

This exhibition format combines art with village settings and complements a nature or water sports vacation with cultural impressions. If you do not want to focus your trip exclusively on outdoor activities, the exhibition series can be an additional factor when choosing your travel period.

Which location suits your trip?

The right holiday apartment should match the experiences you want to focus on. For days spent in nature, the nature park, Lake Mechow and the cycling routes are important points of reference. If you prefer water activities, Lake Ratzeburg, the rental facilities and the water sports area take center stage. For a trip with a cultural focus, “Villages Show Art” offers a special seasonal occasion. This allows you to choose the location of your accommodation based on the pace of vacation you want, rather than solely on a place name.

For further location searches, you can also visit Schmilau and Bäk. Further destinations for your search: Römnitz, Klempau, Linau, Müssen, Gudow and Sterley.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Duchy of Lauenburg.