Stormarn: Castles, moors and trails

Discover castles and gardens

Ahrensburg Castle was completed in 1585 and has served continuously as a museum since 1955. Reinbek Castle is built in the Dutch Renaissance style. It was constructed between 1572 and 1576, extensively restored, and now serves as a cultural and communications centre in Reinbek. Both castles give the region’s cultural history a tangible presence, but differ in their current functions.

Jersbek Estate also brings together different periods: the estate dates back to the 16th century and has been farmed ever since. Its 18th-century Baroque garden is open to visitors. Stormarn is also home to numerous castles, estates and manor houses. Anyone with a particular interest in historic properties will therefore find more than one destination to include in their holiday plans.

Moors, ponds and hiking trails

Hahnheide is Stormarn’s largest nature reserve and offers extensive hiking opportunities. The region is also characterised by vast woodland and moorland landscapes. Brenner Moor is Schleswig-Holstein’s largest inland salt moor. It features a section of boardwalk and a trail with ten observation points. These paths and stations make the moor a nature destination in its own right during your holiday, while Hahnheide offers a different focus with its extensive hiking opportunities.

In Reinfeld, the Herrenteich pond also tells the story of how the landscape was used: Cistercian monks created it in the 12th century as an artificial weir pond on the Heilsau for fish farming. The “Around the Herrenteich” nature trail is a four-kilometre circular route with 16 stops, running right along the edge of the “Oberer Herrenteich” nature reserve. There are two water terraces and additional seating areas on the lakeside promenade; a 3.6-kilometre circular route also runs around the lower Herrenteich pond. If you would like to factor routes of different lengths into your day’s plans, these details can help you choose.

More nature experiences can be found along a variety of routes: Stormarn offers short and long circular hiking trails, including the Stormarn Trail and the Way of St James. Other options include nature trails, a barefoot trail and birdwatching.

Explore by bike, on the water and through regional flavours

More than 20 circular cycling routes explore Stormarn, along with railway cycle paths following the tracks of three former railway lines. The railway cycle paths pass through Stormarn’s landscapes. One special option is the “Mail Train Robbery on the State Railway Line” crime trail: on Railway Cycle Route B, a bike ride combines with a puzzle experience centred on a fictional historical investigation into a mail train robbery. The network of circular cycling routes also includes two church routes, as well as the Carp and Lime Tree routes.

For paddling trips, the Trave in the north and the Bille in the south are good options—with family, friends or colleagues. Farm shops and farm cafés add local produce and culinary products from the surrounding agricultural area to the range of destinations. More than 160 standard fruit trees bearing apples, pears, cherries and plums grow along the fruit and tree trail, which starts at the old Blumendorf railway station near Bad Oldesloe. Depending on the season, visitors can sample the different varieties along the route. Golf enthusiasts can choose from ten golf courses in Stormarn district.

If you would like to explore more places in the district: Reinfeld, Tremsbüttel, Siek, Reinbek, Ahrensburg, Todendorf, Delingsdorf, Jersbek, Hammoor, Hoisdorf, Hamfelde, Stapelfeld, Travenbrück, Ammersbek, Hamberge, Lasbek, Bargfeld-Stegen, Nienwohld, Glinde, Grabau, Heilshoop, Bad Oldesloe, Großhansdorf, Barsbüttel, Witzhave, Trittau, Tangstedt, Rausdorf, Oststeinbek, Mönkhagen, Lütjensee, Köthel, Grönwohld, Klein Wesenberg, Badendorf, Bargteheide, Brunsbek and Großensee.

For the regional travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.