More than 800 years of history and a pond used for different seasonal activities shape Heilshoop. The Moorteich is part of the village’s character; in summer, swimming in warm weather takes centre stage, while in winter it is all about ice skating.
History and the seasons at the Moorteich
Heilshoop has more than 800 years of documented history. The Moorteich was created by Cistercian monks in the 12th century and shapes the character of the village. Its origins provide a tangible point of reference for the village’s long history. The pond has a public bathing area for swimming in warm weather; in winter, it is used for ice skating. These are distinct seasonal activities that may influence when you choose to travel: consider whether you would prefer to focus on swimming in warm weather or winter ice skating. Conditions can vary by season, so it is worth checking the current situation before planning a specific visit.
Walking and public transport connections
A combined footpath and cycle path runs through Heilshoop alongside the L 71 state road. Public transport connections serve Reinfeld and LĂĽbeck. These provide different points of reference for planning your journey: the path is for pedestrians and cyclists travelling through Heilshoop, while the public transport connections serve the two named destinations. Check the connection that suits your travel date, as infrastructure and transport services can change.
The wider destination of Stormarn
In the wider destination of Stormarn, the focus broadens to regional nature and leisure activities. Stormarn is in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region between Hamburg and Lübeck and is well suited to day trips. Extensive woodlands and moorlands characterise the region, alongside nature reserves, nature trails, a barefoot trail and opportunities for birdwatching. This regional perspective offers nature-related attractions of its own, beyond Heilshoop’s local history and the use of the Moorteich. In Reinfeld, the “Around the Herrenteich” nature trail is a four-kilometre circular route with 16 stations that runs right along the edge of the “Upper Herrenteich” nature reserve.
Stormarn also offers cycling routes on a regional scale: there are more than 20 circular cycling tours, as well as BahnRadWege routes on disused railway lines. The “Post Train Robbery on the State Railway Line” crime trail combines a cycle tour on BahnRadWeg B with a puzzle-solving experience and a fictional investigation into a historical post train robbery. The named activities therefore offer different experiences: circular tours sit alongside a themed cycle tour that incorporates a fictional investigation.
Stormarn’s cultural history is reflected, among other things, in its castles and manor houses. Ahrensburg Castle was completed in 1585 and has served continuously as a museum since 1955. This offers a different historical focus from the Moorteich in Heilshoop: here, the pond shapes the character of the village, while there, the focus is on the castle and its role as a museum.
Discover more destinations: Stapelfeld, Delingsdorf, Rausdorf, Lütjensee, Mönkhagen, Barsbüttel, Nienwohld, Bargteheide.
Back to the broader travel overview: Stormarn.
