Hiking and Biking at Lake Steinhuder Meer

The 34-kilometer-long, superbly maintained loop trail around Lake Steinhuder Meer is designed for both hiking and cycling and is a very popular route thanks to its scenic beauty. You’re sure to be captivated by the highlights described in more detail below!

Witnesses to the Ice Age in the Hagenburg Boulders Garden
In the erratic boulder garden, stone witnesses to the earth's history are waiting to be viewed and touched. The erratic blocks, which vary in shape, color and structure, were transported from Scandinavia to northern Germany over 200,000 years ago by the glaciers of the Saale glaciation.

Water buffaloes look after the nature reserve
In the western part of the Meerbruchwiesen Nature Reserve, many shallow water bodies have been created in recent years to provide spawning grounds for rare amphibians. Thanks to the natural maintenance provided by a small herd of eleven water buffalo, the moor frogs in particular have multiplied rapidly, expressing their gratitude with impressive choruses. If you’re in the area, keep an eye out for this species of buffalo, which is rarely found in Germany and has become a key pillar in the cultivation of the Meerbruchwiesen.

© Thomas Langreder

Meerbruch Breeding and Wintering Ground
The Meerbruch grassland area, a protected nature reserve, is an important, well-developed, and well-maintained habitat for rare wading birds and waterfowl—species worthy of protection—as well as moisture-loving plants. Well-placed observation platforms offer you the chance to witness the acrobatic courtship flights of lapwings, the melodious whistling of curlews, and the sight of white storks and cranes.

The Natural Environment of the Hagenburg Moor Garden
Get to know the plant communities typical of fens and raised bogs in the area worth seeing, marvel at the iridescent blue dragonflies, real valerian and sundew or listen to the impressive croaking orchestra of moor frogs

Bird sanctuary with nature trail in Winzlar
The Winzlar Bird Sanctuary is a unique habitat for waterfowl and wading birds. In the dense riparian vegetation, you’ll find nesting spoonbills, teals, and garganey, for example. The nature trail leads you to observation huts and a lookout tower—where you can marvel at the flying skills of majestic bald eagles and other bird species.

“East Shore of Lake Steinhuder Meer” Nature Reserve
This nature reserve with various vantage points is characterized by a mosaic of fens, marshes and wet scrub as well as the presence of lake and pond rose communities. On land, the vegetation continues with reedbeds and gray willow scrub. Occasional alder and birch swamp forests have formed - an idyll that invites you to linger and dream.

Hiking on the moor adventure trail
The Moor Experience Trail is part of the Vogeldamm cycling and hiking trail, which runs between the moor huts on the northern shore of Lake Steinhuder Meer and the Großenheidorn observation tower to the east. Highlights include an observation deck with a spectacular view and a boardwalk over active marshland, where visitors can observe sphagnum mosses, cottongrass, and sundews up close. Numerous information panels illustrate the unique features of the landscape through pictures and text, providing visitors with detailed information.

For more information on hiking trails around Lake Steinhuder Meer, including maps with elevation profiles, please visit here.

© Florian Toffel

Tips and information

Experience nature by the sea

Here you'll find plenty of tips and information about nature at Lake Steinhuder Meer.

read