The towpath along the Kiel Canal and Knoop Manor Park give Altenholz two distinct character traits: one recalls the former work on the waterway, while the other evokes old trees and a historic manor estate landscape. When planning your visit, it is worth considering the route and local conditions on the one hand, and the park areas and their landscape features on the other.

Towpath and park landscape

From the Holtenau passenger ferry landing, you can reach Knoop Manor via the towpath along the Kiel Canal. The path follows the historic towpath used to pull sailing ships through the canal. The route therefore not only provides access to Knoop Manor, but also tells the story of an earlier use of the waterway. Check the exact path conditions locally before setting out.

Some areas of Knoop Manor Park are open to visitors. The park features old trees, including a 250-year-old lime tree, as well as a tree-lined avenue beside the pond. These two features create distinct impressions: in one spot, the eye is drawn to a single, very old tree; in another, to an avenue by the water. As part of the historic agricultural manor estate landscape, the park complements the canal-side route with a different perspective on the cultural landscape.

In the wider Rendsburg-Eckernförde destination

The wider Rendsburg-Eckernförde destination offers other landscape experiences to suit different activities. Rendsburg-Eckernförde district has 55 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline, a signposted cycling network stretching 1,000 kilometres, and four nature parks. The Kiel Canal also shapes the region: about 70 kilometres, or two thirds, of the canal run through the district. These figures describe the regional context, not individual features of Altenholz.

For hikers, the 180-kilometre Nature Park Trail runs through the district’s four nature parks. As a separate offering, the European long-distance path E1, marked throughout with a white St Andrew’s cross, also passes through the Hüttener Berge, Brekendorf Forest, and over the Aschberg. The distinction between a named hiking route and a signposted cycling network can help you choose your first activity. In fine weather, the 98-metre-high Aschberg offers panoramic views reaching to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay, and the state capital, Kiel.

Nature parks consist to a significant extent of nature and landscape conservation areas and provide habitats for a diverse range of flora and fauna. Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park is characterised by numerous lake complexes in the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands; it includes Westensee, which covers around 7 square kilometres and is a popular destination for day trips. Kingfishers live along the banks of the Eider. Dosenmoor also provides a habitat for distinctive flora and fauna. The region’s natural attractions therefore bring together a variety of landscapes and habitats.

Culture and regional specialities

Rendsburg-Eckernförde also offers a range of places of interest for culture enthusiasts. Rendsburg’s old town dates back to the 13th century and is still characterised by medieval buildings. The Jewish Museum in Rendsburg is housed in Schleswig-Holstein’s oldest surviving synagogue; the building is both a historic monument and a memorial. The Molfsee Open-Air Museum complements these historical themes with a fairground featuring two carousels, a swing boat, and a strength tester, as well as a large playground.

A Dutch-style windmill dating from 1874 stands in Groß Wittensee. One of the region’s culinary traditions leads to Eckernförde: the town is associated with smoking sprats and other small fish. The famous “Kiel sprats” actually come from the fishing town of Eckernförde. Alongside its landscapes and culture, the wider destination thus offers a specific reason to explore its regional food culture.

Discover more destinations: Holtsee, Melsdorf, Dörphof, Grevensberg, Damendorf, Felde, Lindau, Lütjenwestedt

Go to the wider travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.