Forests, water and a distinctive hilly landscape shaped by the Ice Age define Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. Around 40 lakes add further contours to the landscape. Different priorities may shape your stay: watching waterbirds, activities on the water, a ride along a disused railway line or art on summer weekends. The options below differ in location, type of activity and season.
Landscapes with specific viewpoints
On the northwestern shore of Lake Mechow, the observation tower offers views across the glacial channel lake and its many waterbirds. Here, two subjects for observation come together: the shape of the lake and its birdlife. The view from the tower provides a specific focal point within the wider landscape of forests, water and Ice Age hills. If you are particularly interested in observing nature, this viewpoint is a notable starting point for planning your trip.
Water sports and tours on the water
At the water sports paradise of Lake Ratzeburg, you can rent kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and water bikes. North of Ratzeburg, waters in Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park form part of the Lauenburg Lakes–Trave water sports area. The options therefore range from specific rental boats on Lake Ratzeburg to the larger water sports area designation north of the town. This distinction can help you plan your trip: are you interested in particular types of boat or in how the waters are classified within a named water sports area?
Another option is the Ratzeburg Adventure Railway. On a disused railway line, muscle-powered hand-lever rail bikes travel the 13 kilometres from Ratzeburg to Hollenbek through Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. Water bikes let you circle the island town of Ratzeburg on the water. The activities differ in how you get around: the rail bike follows the railway line between the two named places, while the water-bike ride is a loop on the water. You can choose between a specifically named route on land and a circuit on the water.
Art in the villages
If you would like to plan a cultural event instead of an outdoor activity, you can look to the exhibition series “Villages Show Art” (Dörfer zeigen Kunst). It has been organised by the Lauenburg Lakes municipal authority since 2004, when the authority was known as Amt Ratzeburg-Land until 2006. During the series, village community centres are transformed into galleries for craftspeople, sculptors and painters. The programme includes exhibitions and special events. On four weekends in summer, visitors are welcomed at up to 20 different locations in and around the municipal area and as far as Mecklenburg. Check the specific event dates before your trip so you can plan your stay around them.
Routes on foot and on wheels
There are 22 suggested cycling routes in the Lauenburg Lakes municipal area. Depending on the stated distances and the condition of the routes, many of these paths can also be used for hiking. For a specific outing, the route information and condition therefore matter; not every cycling route is automatically suitable for hiking. The 13-kilometre rail-bike route from Ratzeburg to Hollenbek offers a different point of comparison: its length and endpoints are specified, while the cycling routes make up a selection of suggested options. This gives you a choice of different ways to get around—cycling on a suggested route, hiking on suitable paths or riding a hand-lever rail bike.
Discover more destinations: Bäk, Schmilau, Salem, Linau, Krummesse, Rondeshagen, Krukow, Hollenbek.
Go to the regional travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.
