Stakendorf lies on the eastern edge of the Probstei on the Baltic Sea. The village has largely preserved its rural structure; restored old buildings, numerous ponds and abundant trees shape its appearance. The coastal landscape and village character are equally part of the picture. When planning a stay, you can decide whether to focus on the beach, observing nature or local history.
Beach and Coastal Landscape
Stakendorf has a free natural bathing beach that directly adjoins Schönberg Beach. Access and facilities may change seasonally; check the current situation before your visit. For nature watching, the coastal lagoon landscape near Schmoel is a good choice: the nature reserve can be reached from Stakendorf by bicycle and provides a habitat for many characteristic bird species.
A hiking route reaches the nature reserve after about two kilometres. Along the way, the contrast between the historic natural coast and modern coastal protection takes centre stage. Near Schmoel, beach ridges formed by wave action shape the coast; salt-tolerant plants such as sea kale, seablite and glasswort grow there. The nearby coastal lakes are also important for birdlife: their extensive reed beds provide resting and nesting places for many species. Please observe the applicable access rules in protected areas.
Village History and Regional Specialities
A walk through Stakendorf takes you past impressive farmsteads and a village pond with a memorial to those who fell in the world wars. Peter Plett provides another historical point of reference: he was the village schoolteacher in Stakendorf from 1808 until his early retirement in 1820. He also discovered and practised smallpox vaccination before Edward Jenner. This story adds a specific person and a significant medical connection to the picture of the village.
Local offerings include an organic farm shop selling meat, sausage, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, eggs and natural foods, as well as rolls from the village bakery. From May to September, a garden café serves waffles, including a vegan option. If you would like to combine your stay with a café visit, take this seasonal period into account when planning.
Trails in the Probstei
The trails of the Probstei also help you find your way on excursions in the region. There are kilometres of paved, well-signposted cycling and hiking trails. They lead through hedgerows, fields and meadows, as well as through villages and to historic monuments, beaches and inland lakes. Hiking trails also run along hedgerows, through salt meadows and nature reserves, and on to inland lakes. Their barely noticeable differences in elevation are described as making them suitable for practically everyone. When planning your own outing, you can choose between a specific coastal hike and a broader exploration of the region’s trails and landscapes. Routes may change over time, so check local trail information before setting out.
The Wider Region: Plön
The wider destination of Plön opens up another regional landscape. Plön district lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has about 50 kilometres of Baltic coastline. The district includes around 80 lakes, among them Lake Großer Plöner See, covering 29 square kilometres, and Lake Selenter See, covering 22 square kilometres. These regional facts add a broader perspective to the impressions of village life, beach and coastal nature centred on Stakendorf.
Tailor Your Stay to Your Interests
When looking for accommodation in Stakendorf, you can start by deciding which experiences you want your stay to centre on: the free natural bathing beach, village history, birdlife near Schmoel or the trails of the Probstei. This keeps your plans focused on what you actually want to do, rather than prematurely combining different places and activities into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Probsteierhagen, Martensrade, Schrevenborn, Probstei, Passade, Rastorf, Höhndorf, Kletkamp
Go to the main travel overview: Plön.
