In Wohltorf, Tonteich brings together a former clay pit, natural swimming and opportunities to observe dragonflies and tufted ducks. This raises two practical questions for planning your trip: How do you get to Sachsenwaldbad, and what other nature or cultural attractions are there in the Duchy of Lauenburg?

At Tonteich: the history of the clay pit and natural swimming

Tonteich was formed in the former clay pit of Friedrichsruher Tonwerke. Its location is associated with a protected landscape in the Sachsenwald. Sachsenwaldbad Tonteich is a natural swimming facility in the Sachsenwald; dragonflies and tufted ducks can be observed at Tonteich. This brings together the clay pit’s former use and a close-up look at wildlife by the water. If you are interested in observing nature, swimming is not the only local attraction here.

You can swim outdoors at Sachsenwaldbad. As seasonal opening times may change, check the latest information before your visit. There is also a snack bar on the grounds, which you can use without paying for swimming admission if you inform the entrance staff. The offering may vary seasonally. Swimming and visiting the snack bar are therefore two different ways to enjoy Tonteich; for the snack bar, you must inform the staff.

Getting to Sachsenwaldbad

Take the S7 suburban train to Wohltorf station; from there, it is approximately a ten-minute walk to Sachsenwaldbad Tonteich. The facility is also accessible by bicycle or car. The walking time is approximate, and transport details may change. So check the S-Bahn connection before setting off and allow time for the walk from the station.

If you are considering Wohltorf as a place to stay, Tonteich offers a specific local attraction for a stay involving natural swimming or wildlife watching. The travel information gives you different options: take the S-Bahn and then walk, or travel by bicycle or car. Which option suits your plans depends on how you want to spend your visit.

Nature and outdoor activities in the Duchy of Lauenburg

The natural landscape of the wider travel destination, the Duchy of Lauenburg, extends beyond Wohltorf. Forests cover 26 percent of the district, which also contains 48 lakes. The district is also home to the Sachsenwald, the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein. Activities in the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park include hiking, cycling, canoeing and swimming in forest lakes. Four signposted cycling tours offer different route options; hiking trails, observation towers, educational trails and rest areas add to the nature park’s amenities.

The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park also offers guided excursions with experts on the district’s wildlife, plants and cultural history. For birdwatching, visit the observation tower at Mechower See: you can watch waterbirds there, and with a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle. If you are interested in a guided excursion, check the dates for your travel period.

Cultural attractions in the wider destination

The cultural attractions in the Duchy of Lauenburg also cover a range of subjects. The Elbschifffahrtsmuseum in Lauenburg/Elbe features the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Mensch-Modell-Maschine” about shipping. Visitors can get hands-on with models and interactive stations. By contrast, the Kreismuseum Herzogtum Lauenburg in Ratzeburg focuses on the history of the Dukes of Lauenburg and the inner German border. The wider destination therefore offers both shipping and technology-related attractions and regional history.

Discover more destinations: Siebenbäumen, Mölln, Groß Disnack, Kittlitz, Aumühle, Berkenthin, Besenthal, Müssen

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Duchy of Lauenburg.