A small sandy beach with a sunbathing lawn, protected landscapes and a gallery in a former school give Achterwehr a variety of attractions. The bathing area on Lake Ahrensee offers summer relaxation; cycling and hiking routes, along with changing art exhibitions, provide further ideas for planning your trip. It is worth keeping the conditions for each activity in mind: access to the water is subject to conservation rules, while routes and exhibitions each require up-to-date information.
Landscapes and the bathing area on Lake Ahrensee
Much of Achterwehr lies in protected landscape or nature conservation areas and forms part of Westensee Nature Park. Lake Ahrensee is also within the Ahrensee Nature Reserve. Its public bathing area has a small sandy beach and a sunbathing lawn, which are used for swimming and relaxing in summer. Nature conservation and seasonal recreation go hand in hand here. As bathing facilities and seasonal use may change, check the current conditions at the bathing area before your trip.
Water access and tours
The only public launch site for paddle craft in the Westensee area is in Achterwehr. Access to the lake is subject to nature conservation rules; in some cases, a valid RSVW permit is required. Water-use rules may change, so check the current requirements before setting out.
The Eider Canal is marked on Cycling Route 4 in Westensee Nature Park and on Hiking Map Route 1. Check the numbering and map details before setting out by bike or on foot. Canoe and kayak trips on the Eider Canal can take you as far as the Kiel Canal or Lake Westensee. When planning, also take water conditions into account and check whether rentals are available.
Four themed cycling routes run through Westensee Nature Park; guided cycling tours for groups visit viewpoints and places of interest. Check availability and signage in advance. For hiking, the approximately 35-kilometre Nature Park Hiking Trail passes through Quarnbek, Achterwehr, Felde and Westensee. Its approximate length and the places named offer a different guide than the numbered map routes along the Eider Canal. Also check trail signs and conditions before setting out.
Art in a former school
The GAK – Gallery for Contemporary Art adds a cultural dimension: it is a meeting place for artists and art enthusiasts and presents changing exhibitions in Achterwehr’s former primary school. If you want to include art in your travel plans, check the exhibition programme before visiting, as it may change. Alongside the bathing area and tours, changing exhibitions offer another distinct focus.
Rendsburg-Eckernförde as a regional setting
The wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde is home to four nature parks; nature parks in the district consist largely of nature and landscape conservation areas and provide habitats for a wide variety of animal and plant species. The district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde also has 1,000 kilometres of signposted cycling routes. These regional figures complement the picture of the specific options in Achterwehr: the bathing area on Lake Ahrensee, regulated water access, tours and changing exhibitions.
Discover more destinations
Sehestedt, Beldorf, Flintbek, Holzdorf, MĂĽhbrook, Norby, BrĂĽgge, GĂĽby
Return to the wider travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.
