Schinkel combines a six-kilometre nature trail with local history and agricultural themes. The route focuses on field paths, views and benches for resting; at the Schinkler Möhl, milling history and early finds tell the story of the village’s past. Other highlights include seasonal pick-your-own flowers and examples of regional production. You can tailor your stay to the landscape, history or farm culture.
Nature Trail and Local History
Schinkel’s “Nature” trail is 6 km long and runs mostly along field paths, with only a few roads. It offers views across fields, the canal, woodland and meadows. Benches along the route invite you to rest — after a bike ride, during a picnic or while watching insects. The landscape and places to stop shape the character of this trail.
Another option is the historic village tour, which follows cycle paths and footpaths exclusively. The tour “What Did Schinkel Look Like in the Past?” takes a different approach: old photographs and information offer insights into the village’s past. Anyone interested in how the village’s appearance has changed will find a distinct way to explore Schinkel’s history.
Mill and Church
The Schinkler Möhl is Schinkel’s landmark and a regional excursion destination. It was originally a grain mill. Following extensive renovation and redesign, it was inaugurated as a centre on 8 August 2004. As a local meeting place, it regularly hosts activities and events.
The Möhl also showcases the area’s early settlement history: finds dating to around 4000 BC are on display there, including a perforated stone axe and other objects. They point to early settlement in the area. The Evangelical Church of the Good Shepherd offers another perspective on local history. It was inaugurated in 1960 as a simple wooden church with a gabled roof and a distinctive bell tower. The church is open to people seeking a place for quiet reflection.
Farms, Flowers and Regional Produce
Schinkel presents itself as an “eco-region.” One example is a three-hectare flax-growing project that produces regional linseed oil. Hof Mevs is a plant and goat farm with a cheese dairy and oil mill. The farm also runs a pick-your-own flower field in the village centre. The flowering season is roughly from mid-June to early October. Benches by the field offer a place to rest, have a picnic or watch insects.
Gut Rosenkrantz was formerly known as Gut Schinkel and managed tenant farms in Schinkel. Today, the organically managed estate at Gut Rosenkrantz cultivates many fields in and around Schinkel. Community-supported agriculture is also part of the area’s agricultural history: the idea originated in 2000. Members pay a fixed amount so that the participating farms can plan ahead.
Cycling in Rendsburg-Eckernförde District
Beyond Schinkel, Rendsburg-Eckernförde District offers a wider setting for cycling tours. It has a 1,000-kilometre signposted cycle network, as well as five long-distance cycling routes, five e-bike tours and twelve themed routes. Marked routes pass through nature parks, follow the Kiel Canal, explore Stone Age history or connect seaside resorts. Some can be shortened for families.
The local “Nature” trail and the district-wide options differ in scale: the 6 km refers to Schinkel’s trail, while the wider variety of routes describes Rendsburg-Eckernförde District. This distinction can help you choose between focusing on the local area and exploring further cycling options across the wider destination.
Discover more destinations: Hanerau-Hademarschen, Gammelby, Osterby, Brodersby, Lindau, Westensee, Hohenwestedt, Schülp bei Rendsburg.
Go to the main travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.
