Groß Grönau lies on the northern edge of the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. South of the town, the nature park landscape offers the opportunity to discover rare flora and fauna. The local landscape includes woodland, lime-tree avenues, natural meadows, fields and agricultural land. This combination of the town’s landscape and the nature park offers a range of ways to shape your stay.
A Cycling Loop with Varied Terrain
The 25.7-kilometre “Around Groß Grönau” cycling loop combines flat, easy-to-ride sections on paths along Lake Ratzeburg and the Wakenitz with more hilly, wooded stretches to the east and west. The route is therefore not flat throughout; to assess its terrain, it is worth considering both types of landscape. Shortcut options give you flexibility in choosing your route, and there are opportunities to stop for refreshments along the way. As path conditions and traffic can change, check both before setting off.
Local Routes and Connections to Lübeck
Groß Grönau has a local network of cycling and walking trails. Public transport connections also provide access to Lübeck’s cultural attractions and the nearby nature park landscape. Alongside local routes, connections towards Lübeck are therefore another option to consider when planning your stay.
A Look at the Duchy of Lauenburg
In the Duchy of Lauenburg district, 26 percent of the area is woodland, and the district is home to 48 lakes. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the duchy. Covering an area of about 35 by 17 kilometres, it provides a habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species. The Duchy of Lauenburg is also home to Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous woodland area.
The nature park has hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest. You can hike, cycle and canoe there, as well as swim in the refreshing forest lakes; four signposted cycling tours add to the options. The observation tower at Lake Mechow invites you to watch waterbirds, and, with a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle there.
For longer hikes, the European long-distance trails E1, E6 and E9 run from north to south through the Duchy of Lauenburg via Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. In Lauenburg/Elbe, the Elbe Shipping Museum features the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Man-Model-Machine” about shipping. In Ratzeburg, the Duchy of Lauenburg District Museum explores the history of the Lauenburg dukes and the border between East and West Germany.
The country and farm cafés in the Duchy of Lauenburg are also known for their homemade cakes, made with regional products. The Culture Summer on the Canal is a four-week cultural festival held in the duchy every summer. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check that year’s programme.
If you are planning a specific trip, check the current timetables.
Discover more destinations: Elmenhorst, Krukow, Behlendorf, Groß Disnack, Lauenburg Lakes, Mustin, Berkenthin, Dassendorf
Return to the main travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.
