Rendsburg-Eckernförde can be explored through a variety of attractions: the Baltic Sea coast, nature parks, hiking and cycling trails, and historic places. The district has 55 kilometers of Baltic Sea coastline, and four nature parks are located within its area. In Eckernförde, a four-kilometer-long white sandy beach offers a tangible impression of the coastal side of the region. Nature and cultural experiences complement one another, without any single attraction having to define the character of the entire destination.
Coast, Lakes and Protected Landscapes
The nature parks in the district consist in large part of nature and landscape conservation areas. They provide habitats for a diverse range of animal and plant life. In Westensee-Obere Eider Nature Park, numerous lake complexes shape the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands. The roughly seven-square-kilometer Westensee is part of this nature park and is a popular destination for day trips. Kingfishers live along the banks of the Eider, while Dosenmoor provides a habitat for distinctive flora and fauna. The lake landscape, riverbanks and moor therefore represent different aspects of nature within the destination.
Another point of interest is the 98-meter-high Aschberg. In good weather, the panoramic view from there extends to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel. This vista brings several of the region’s notable landmarks together in one panorama, but depends on suitable weather conditions. The Kiel Canal also shapes the district’s geographical identity: around 70 kilometers, or two-thirds of the canal, run through Rendsburg-Eckernförde.
Hiking and Cycling
Those who want to explore on foot can choose between two trails described in different ways. The 180-kilometer Nature Park Hiking Trail passes through the district’s four nature parks. The European long-distance trail E1 is marked throughout with a white St. Andrew’s cross and runs through the Hüttener Berge, Brekendorfer Wald and over the Aschberg. The Nature Park Hiking Trail focuses on a route through protected landscapes, while the E1’s markings and named landscape sections provide orientation.
For cycling, the district has a 1,000-kilometer network of signposted cycle routes. Alongside the hiking trails described above, cycling routes offer another way to explore the region. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you want to focus on hiking, cycling, coastal landscapes or observing nature. The different route descriptions can help you identify your interests without requiring you to settle on a fixed route.
Places, History and Regional Traditions
In Groß Wittensee, the Dutch-style windmill dates from 1874. Rendsburg offers a different glimpse into history: its old town was established in the 13th century and is still characterized by medieval buildings. The Jewish Museum in Rendsburg is housed in the oldest surviving synagogue in Schleswig-Holstein. The building is both a historic monument and a memorial—a place where architectural history and remembrance come together.
In addition to its museum grounds, the Molfsee Open-Air Museum offers a historic fairground with two carousels, a swing boat and a high striker, as well as a large playground. Its visitor attractions are therefore different from the historic townscape of Rendsburg and the windmill in Groß Wittensee. The coast adds a culinary tradition: Eckernförde is associated with smoking sprats and other small fish. The famous “Kiel sprats” actually come from the fishing town of Eckernförde.
This makes it easier to decide whether you would like to plan your trip around hiking and cycling trails, nature, the coast or culture. The places and activities described offer different starting points for doing so.
Discover more destinations: Oldenbüttel, Lütjenwestedt, Damp, Eckernförde, Brekendorf, Hohenwestedt, Felm, Sehestedt, Grevensberg, Warder, Rendsburg, Jevenstedt, Groß Wittensee, Grevenkrug, Altenholz, Alt Duvenstedt, Bünsdorf, Schinkel, Holzdorf, Flintbek, Kronshagen, Molfsee, Kosel, Waabs, Osdorf, Beldorf, Rumohr, Brodersby, Büdelsdorf, Bokel, Hanerau-Hademarschen, Schönwohld, Todenbüttel, Blumenthal, Rieseby, Schönhagen, Bordesholm, Owschlag, Osterrönfeld, Mühbrook, Hamweddel, Breiholz, Tackesdorf, Dörphof, Winnemark, Klein Wittensee, Fleckeby, Güby, Ascheffel, Borgstedt, Hamdorf, Haby, Altenhof, Westerrönfeld, Holzbunge, Holtsee, Thumby, Strande, Windeby, Norby, Schönhorst, Fockbek, Karby, Schwedeneck, Schlei-Ostsee, Eiderkanal, Hohner Harde, Gettorf, Aukrug, Brügge, Groß Vollstedt, Steenfeld, Gammelby, Schülp Bei Rendsburg, Schacht-Audorf, Nortorf, Neudorf-Bornstein, Seefeld, Haale, Meezen, Achterwehr, Langwedel, Rodenbek, Westensee, Barkelsby, Schülldorf, Krummwisch, Emkendorf, Felde, Schierensee, Borgdorf-Seedorf, Bendorf, Noer, Ahlefeld-Bistensee, Dänischenhagen, Krogaspe, Nübbel, Rickert, Gokels, Lindau, Dätgen, Hohn, Osterby, Neu Duvenstedt, Loose, Damendorf, Hoffeld, Eisendorf, Melsdorf
To the main travel overview: Schleswig-Holstein.
