In Windeby, archaeological evidence from different eras sits alongside walking and cycling routes by the Noor. Visitors choosing the area for a trip can explore historic traces, plan a hike or cycle around the Noor.

Archaeological Traces Dating Back to the Neolithic

Windeby’s oldest archaeological monument is a megalithic long barrow dating to the Neolithic, hidden in the forest. The Bronze Age is represented by burial mounds estimated to be about 3,500 years old. There are also burial sites from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Viking Age. The age of other earthworks is unknown. The finds span a long period, and do not all belong to the same era.

The Windeby Child was discovered in 1952 near Schiefkoppel, an area that formerly belonged to Windeby. The find is identified as a 14-year-old child; its sex is uncertain. Bog bodies from the former Domslandmoor, once connected to Windeby, are among the main attractions of the Archaeological Museum Schloss Gottorf. If you would like to see the finds there, check current visiting arrangements in advance.

Windeby Manor and the surrounding estate buildings are also among the notable historic structures. Around the Windebyer Noor, about 60 shell middens have been recorded, considered unique in the north. In this way, different forms of archaeological heritage meet by the Noor: structural remains, burial sites and traces of earlier use.

Osterwall, Alter Heerweg and Walking Routes

The Osterwall runs through Kochendorf and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Archaeological Border Region of Danevirke and Hedeby”. In Windeby, only hedge-like remnants of the former Osterwall are visible in the landscape. Information boards in Kochendorf introduce visitors to the Danevirke/Osterwall World Heritage Site. These different local connections are useful when planning: the wall runs through Kochendorf, while its remaining traces are described in Windeby.

The Alter Heerweg is older than the Osterwall. It led from Slavic territories east of Kiel to the Ochsenweg; an approximately one-kilometre-long unpaved section runs through Windeby and Kochendorf. Another option is the hiking trail near Gammelby, which follows the historic Osterwall between Kochendorf and the Windebyer Noor. An information board along this route provides historical background. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Local walking and cycling routes include the Noorwanderweg, a route south of Kochendorf towards Osterbek, and paths towards Westerthal and Friedland and into the hinterland of Friedensthal. A signposted walking route circles the Windebyer Noor over seven miles; with a detour to Kochendorf, it is 8.3 miles. In places, the route follows a nature trail with information about the area around the Noor and a former railway line.

Windebyer Noor and Schnaaper See

The Windebyer Noor is considered a large inland lake that was once connected to the Baltic Sea. For a cycling trip, the NoorTörn is a separate option: the 26.83-kilometre circular route starts and ends at the Windebyer Noor. It is considered an easy cycling route and runs mostly on paved paths. The shorter route around the Noor and the longer cycling loop offer different distances for planning; here, too, check current route conditions before setting off.

Schnaaper See is considered a summer bathing spot with very good water quality in a peaceful natural setting. Local lakes are also used for swimming and fishing. Swimming at Schnaaper See is therefore a seasonal highlight, while walking and cycling offer further options for planning your trip.

Choose Windeby as Your Place to Stay

If you are considering Windeby as a place to stay, choose your accommodation based on how you plan to spend your days: the Gammelby hiking trail combines a walk with the history of the Osterwall, while the NoorTörn offers a different experience with a longer cycling loop. When searching for a hotel in Windeby, you can consider whether you mainly want to explore archaeological traces, walk by the Noor or discover the surrounding area by bike.

Discover more destinations: Ascheffel, Westerrönfeld, Dörphof, Meezen, Dänischenhagen, Rendsburg, Holzbunge, Kronshagen

For the regional travel overview: Rendsburg-Eckernförde.