Two distinct themes are at the heart of a stay in Witzhave: the protected river landscapes along the Bille and Corbek rivers, and the chapel as a cultural venue. The Bille Valley offers a nature-focused experience with a signposted hiking trail; in the village, the chapel, coat of arms and place name add further cultural and historical connections. You can tailor your visit to the landscape, a cultural event or both themes.
The Bille Valley and River Landscapes
The Bille Valley Nature Reserve covers about 176 hectares and stretches along the Bille and Corbek rivers between Reinbek and Grande. The Bille has been designated a nature reserve because of its near-natural habitat; it provides a home for plants and animals, including endangered fish species. Another protected area, the Corbek, Brunsteichbach and Brunsbach Landscape Conservation Area, stretches along the Corbek between Rausdorf and Witzhave. The Corbek and Brunsteichbach rivers, together with their surrounding areas, shape the landscape there. Wet forests and grassland dominate the lowlands, giving way to a varied agricultural landscape divided by hedgerows.
Just beyond Witzhave, the Corbek flows into the Bille. Here, the border between Stormarn and the Duchy of Lauenburg district runs, and the Sachsenwald forest begins. You can reach the Bille Valley via the Witzhave exit on the A24. From Ohe, you can drive to the DoktorbrĂĽcke car park and quickly reach the signposted Bille hiking trail from there.
Chapel, Coat of Arms and Place Name
Witzhave’s former church is officially called a chapel. The chapel hosts concerts, readings, exhibitions and film screenings; dates may change. So check the latest event schedule and opening arrangements before your visit. Witzhave’s coat of arms features a gold fibula. The place name has also undergone a historical evolution: it developed from Witeshave through Witzhaffen, Witzhöff and Witzhage to Witzhave.
The Wider Travel Destination of Stormarn
Stormarn lies in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region between Hamburg and Lübeck and is ideal for day trips. The region includes extensive woodland and moorland, as well as nature reserves and nature trails. Hahnheide is Stormarn’s largest nature reserve and offers extensive hiking opportunities. There are short and long circular routes for hikers, as well as the Stormarn Trail and the Way of St. James. There are also more than 20 cycling circuits; the BahnRadWege cycle routes follow disused railway lines.
In Reinfeld, the “Around Herrenteich” nature trail follows a four-kilometre circular route with 16 stops, right on the edge of the “Upper Herrenteich” nature reserve. Brenner Moor is Schleswig-Holstein’s largest inland salt marsh. There, you’ll find a section of wooden boardwalk and a trail with ten observation points.
The castles also offer contrasting historical highlights. Ahrensburg Castle was completed in 1585 and has served continuously as a museum since 1955. Reinbek Castle is a Dutch Renaissance building; it was constructed from 1572 to 1576, extensively restored and serves as a cultural and communications centre in Reinbek.
Discover more destinations: Delingsdorf, Tangstedt, BarsbĂĽttel, Grabau, Ahrensburg, Ammersbek, Hamfelde, Stapelfeld
Go to the main travel overview: Stormarn.
