Railways and agriculture are two distinct reasons to visit Hollenbek: the former Kaiserbahn railway is part of the town’s history, while the Nature Park Barn is devoted to agricultural history. There is also a rail-bike service on a former railway line, and the town is located in the Schaalsee region. The wider Herzogtum Lauenburg travel destination offers further nature, cycling and cultural experiences.
Railway Traces and Rail Bikes
Hollenbek’s history is closely connected with the former Kaiserbahn railway. The railway station in Hollenbek opened in 1889; a golden train in the town’s coat of arms commemorates the railway. Another way to experience a former railway line is to ride hand-operated rail bikes between Hollenbek and Schmilau. Availability depends on the operator, so it is best to check before your trip. The route from Ratzeburg to Hollenbek is 13 kilometres long.
Agriculture at the Nature Park Barn
The Nature Park Barn is a small museum on a county-owned estate. It presents the history of agriculture and historic farm machinery; admission is free. It offers a different perspective on Hollenbek from its railway history, focusing instead on agricultural development and technology. Opening hours may vary by season, so check the current hours before visiting.
Hollenbek and the Schaalsee Region
Hollenbek is located in the Schaalsee region. The surrounding landscape and winding roads appeal to cyclists and motorcyclists. There are also places to swim at nearby lakes; access conditions may vary from one bathing area to another. This distinguishes local attractions from those in the surrounding area: the railway and museum give a visit to Hollenbek a cultural focus, while cycling and swimming offer ways to explore the nearby region.
Landscapes in Herzogtum Lauenburg
The wider Herzogtum Lauenburg travel destination includes 48 lakes, and forests cover 26 percent of the district. The district is also home to the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest in Schleswig-Holstein. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies in the heart of the duchy. It covers an area approximately 35 by 17 kilometres in size and provides habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species.
The nature park has hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest, as well as four signposted cycling routes. From the observation tower at Lake Mechow, you can watch waterbirds; with a little luck, you may also see a white-tailed eagle. A canoe trip can take you from Lake Schaalsee via the lakes of Lauenburg and the Wakenitz to LĂĽbeck. Local navigation restrictions may vary.
Hiking and Cycling in the District
The European long-distance hiking trails E1, E6 and E9 run from north to south through Herzogtum Lauenburg, passing through Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg. For cycling, the Alte Salzstraße long-distance cycle route follows a different course: it runs from Lauenburg to Lübeck along the Elbe–Lübeck Canal and through the duchy. The routes differ both in mode of transport and in the destinations named.
Cultural Attractions in Other Places
In Lauenburg/Elbe, the Elbschifffahrtsmuseum presents the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Mensch-Modell-Maschine” about shipping. Visitors can get hands-on with models and interactive stations. The Herzogtum Lauenburg District Museum in Ratzeburg focuses on different topics: the history of the dukes of Lauenburg and the border between East and West Germany. The district thus offers two distinct cultural attractions: an exhibition about shipping and one about regional and border history.
The Uhlenkolk Environmental Centre in Mölln offers nature-based educational and experiential programmes for kindergartens, school classes, families and adults. Büchen is a railway hub for long-distance travel in Herzogtum Lauenburg: from there, the district connects to the long-distance rail network via the Hamburg–Schwerin–Berlin and Lübeck–Lüneburg lines. Check the current timetable for specific departures.
Discover more destinations: Siebenbäumen, Nusse, Elmenhorst, Wentorf Bei Hamburg, Krukow, Mustin, Grambek, Schönberg.
Go to the overview of the wider travel destination: Herzogtum Lauenburg.
