Canoe trips are possible from Haale; cyclists and walkers also pass through the village on the NOK Route. The Haaler Au provides a habitat for various bird species, and an archaeological trace points to two castles that once stood in the area. Water, routes, nature and history offer different starting points for planning your trip.
Canoe trips and the NOK Route
There is a canoe launch point on the western edge of the local area. Launch rules and conditions for water access may change seasonally. Check them before planning a trip so your plans suit the time of year.
The NOK Route is another way to include Haale in an active trip: cyclists and walkers pass through the village on this route. Check the route and infrastructure before setting off. The key planning considerations therefore differ: for canoe trips, they are launch rules and water access; for the route, they are its course and infrastructure.
The Haaler Au and its birdlife
The Haaler Au provides a habitat for, among others, northern lapwings, Bewick’s swans, curlews and whinchats. The presence of these species varies seasonally and naturally. Visitors to the Haaler Au should stay on the paths, listen quietly to the birds and use binoculars considerately. Also follow the latest notices on site.
An archaeological trace
Two castles once stood in the area; only part of a castle moat remains. The remains may be inconspicuous and may not be designated as a visitor site. The moat is therefore more of a subtle historical reference than a reliably identifiable sightseeing spot.
The wider setting: Rendsburg-Eckernförde
The wider travel destination of Rendsburg-Eckernförde offers its own regional setting. The district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde has 55 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. Around 70 kilometres, or two-thirds, of the Kiel Canal run through the district. It also has a signposted 1,000-kilometre cycle route network and four nature parks. These figures put the themes of coast, canal, cycling and nature into context at district level.
Longer routes are also part of this regional picture: the 180-kilometre Nature Park Hiking Trail runs through the district’s four nature parks. The European long-distance trail E1, marked throughout with a white St Andrew’s cross, passes through the Hüttener Berge and Brekendorf Forest and over the Aschberg. In fine weather, the panoramic view from the 98-metre-high Aschberg extends to the Kiel Canal, Eckernförde Bay and the state capital, Kiel.
The district’s nature parks consist to a considerable extent of nature and landscape conservation areas and provide a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife and plant life. Numerous lake complexes characterise the Schleswig-Holstein Uplands in Westensee–Obere Eider Nature Park. The approximately 7 km² Westensee is part of this nature park and a popular destination for day trips. The banks of the Eider in this nature park provide a habitat for kingfishers.
Culture also has its place in the wider travel destination: Rendsburg’s old town dates back to the 13th century and is still characterised 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 site.
Discover more destinations: Breiholz, GroĂź Wittensee, Beldorf, Rendsburg, Schwedeneck, Schlei-Ostsee, LĂĽtjenwestedt, NĂĽbbel
Back to the main travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.
