A young climate forest and an old beech stand offer contrasting natural highlights around Bönebüttel. They are complemented by a historic woodland site and practical measures to protect habitats.
A Forest Taking Shape
The climate forest lies where the Brammerau and Schwale rivers meet and covers around 1.8 hectares. In March 2026, 7,500 saplings were planted there. It is planned as a future mixed deciduous forest made up of pedunculate oaks, hornbeams, small-leaved lime trees, wych elms, alders and ash trees. The site is still young and will change over time. The climate forest is freely accessible to the public and open for an exploration, a quiet stay or a small picnic. As access conditions may change as the young forest develops, please check them before visiting.
Historic Woodland Sites and Nature Conservation
Bönebütteler Gehege is a historic woodland site in the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands natural region. Bönebüttel lies immediately west of the Bönebütteler Gehege FFH site. In the Schwale lowlands near Bönebüttel lies the Bat Forest: a one-hectare old beech stand that is part of the Bönebütteler Gehege Natura 2000 site. The two woodland features are therefore quite distinct: the climate forest is young and was established through planting in 2026; the Bat Forest is an old beech stand.
In the Schwale lowlands, conservation work focuses on improving habitats and spawning waters for the great crested newt. Two additional spawning waters have also been created on the southern edge of Bönebütteler Gehege, next to the Bat Forest.
An Early Historical Reference
Bönebüttel and Husberg are first mentioned in a document dated 11 July 1141. The date provides a specific historical point of reference for both place names.
The Wider Picture: Plön
In the wider travel destination of Plön, the focus extends beyond local woodland features. Plön district lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has about 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. Around 80 lakes are within the district, including Lake Großer Plöner See at 29 km² and Lake Selenter See at 22 km². Along the district’s Baltic Sea coast, visitors can swim, sail, surf, dive, take boat trips, go on offshore sailing tours, take cutter trips and enjoy surf fishing.
Large parts of the district belong to Holstein Switzerland Nature Park. It covers 75,000 hectares and offers opportunities to experience nature as well as see rare animals. In Plön district, the Schwentine Water Trail can be explored by canoe; the lakes can also be travelled by sailboat or excursion boat. The distinction is useful when choosing a theme: in Bönebüttel, forests and protected areas are the main focus, while the wider Plön area also includes lakes, coastline and water sports. Plön district also has a signposted 850-kilometre cycling network and developed Nordic walking trails; route layouts may change in the future.
Discover more destinations: Giekau, Ruhwinkel, Fargau-Pratjau, Plön, Pohnsdorf, Schrevenborn, Fiefbergen, Löptin.
Return to the main travel overview: Plön.
