Sterup is designated as a resort and is part of the Ostseefjord-Schlei tourism region. One specific way to combine nature and culture is the four-kilometre, moderately difficult circular route of the Nature and Culture Trail, which starts in Sterup. The trail features 14 sights; St. Lawrence’s Church is one of them. The route brings together landscapes and cultural points of interest along a single path.
Hiking through the Lippingau landscape
From the terminal moraine ridge, the route leads into the Lippingau tunnel valley. It passes the Schönungsteich, a biotope, and runs through beech forest and the ravines of Steruper Bach. This same hike brings together various features of the Ice Age-shaped cultural landscape: the ridge, the valley, the biotope pond, woodland and stream ravines. The different landscape forms shape the route and provide specific points of interest along the trail’s nature-focused section.
Information boards enrich the experience along the way with explanations of plants, nature and geology, as well as historically significant buildings with cultural importance. The range of topics connects the landscape with its history: alongside nature and geological relationships, the trail also highlights buildings. It opened in 2015 and, with its 14 sights, offers a clearly defined setting for a hike.
St. Lawrence’s Church: a history spanning several centuries
The church is one of the stops on the Nature and Culture Trail. Its history dates back to the 13th century; it was initially a subsidiary chapel of St. Mary’s Church in Esgrus. A later change can be seen in its west tower: the former wooden tower was replaced by a 52-metre-high brick tower in 1887–1888.
The furnishings also span different periods. The church has a late Gothic winged altarpiece from around 1500 and a late Gothic side altar from the 16th century. A Riffelbild by Hans Breckenfeld is dated 1751. Together, these details form a timeline from the church’s medieval origins through its late Gothic altars to a work from the 18th century. Visitors interested in history and architecture will find several clearly dated features at this stop on the circular trail.
Farm products and a changing selection
A farm shop offers homemade fruit products, new culinary creations, homemade liver sausage and apple juice made from apples grown on the farm. The range varies according to the season and availability. Eggs from the farm’s own hens and seasonally prepared pork are also available; both products are seasonal and in limited supply. The selection combines fruit products, savoury goods and culinary products, but remains subject to the season and availability.
At Timm’s Erdbeerhof, you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, or buy them at various stalls. Both pick-your-own and sales are seasonal. The self-service shop Timms Hofschätze follows a different schedule: handmade products from the farm kitchen are available there year-round, although the range changes. The shop also offers handicrafts and gift ideas; this selection may also change. The offers therefore differ in their seasonality: berries and pick-your-own are seasonal, while handmade farm-kitchen products are available year-round, though the selection is not fixed.
Discover more destinations: Pommerby, Stoltebüll, Steinberg, Rabel, Stangheck, Niesgrau, Hasselberg, Steinberghaff.
For the overview of the wider region: Geltinger Bucht.
