Besenthal combines a rural landscape with paths through the protected Hellbachtal Valley. The village is located in the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park; the Hellbachtal Valley hike begins at the Sarnekow hiking car park in Besenthal. The valley has both cycling and hiking trails. When planning, you can use the specific hiking trail starting point as a guide or decide whether you would like to explore on foot or by bike.
Agriculture and protected landscape
Arable land accounts for 55 percent of the area, forests for 25 percent and meadows for 20 percent. Arable land is therefore the largest share; forests and meadows together account for 45 percent. Agriculture remains central: crops include grain, potatoes and maize, while cattle, calves and pigs are raised.
Besenthal is located in the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park. Its hedgerow landscape, with birches and oaks, has been preserved; no land consolidation took place in Besenthal. Besenthal is also part of the Talhänge bei Göttin landscape protection area. There, remnants of the “Lauenburg Warm Heath” have been preserved at the edge of the glacial Delvenau meltwater channel.
On foot, by bike and watching for wildlife
Cycling and hiking trails run through the protected Hellbachtal Valley. The Hellbachtal Valley hike starts at the Sarnekow hiking car park in Besenthal. Check the current route before setting out. This lets you take the named hiking starting point into account when planning, while cycling trails offer another way to explore the valley.
With patience and luck, rare dragonflies and ospreys can be spotted in the Hellbachtal Valley. Three bridges offer a chance to look out for kingfishers. In two wildlife areas for red deer and wild boar, animals may occasionally be seen during the day as well. Such sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.
Farm shop and regional produce
Hof Schmidt - Lila Hofladen in Sarnekow is considered a refreshment stop on a bike ride along the Hellbach stream. The business has been run for four generations and works with producers from the surrounding area. Its range includes potatoes, eggs, meat and specialty sausages; the selection may change. If you are stopping specifically for a particular product, check what is currently available in advance.
The Duchy of Lauenburg as the wider region
The wider travel destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg district has 48 lakes; forests cover 26 percent of its area. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park offers hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest; four cycling routes are also signposted there. Guided excursions with experts focus on the district’s wildlife, flora and cultural history. Check individual dates in advance. One regional cycling route is the approximately 40-kilometre Lakes Cycle Tour: it is a circular route through the nature park and starts in Ratzeburg. The European long-distance hiking trails E1, E6 and E9 also cross the Duchy of Lauenburg from north to south via Ratzeburg, Mölln and Lauenburg.
Discover more destinations: Krüzen, Sterley, Fredeburg, Schönberg, Lehmrade, Mustin, Schwarzenbek-Land, Ratzeburg
Back to the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.
