Top 20 Lakes around Schmalstede

For a scenic walk, the Lake Einfeld offers an 8 km circular hiking trail. Another popular option is the Bordesholmer See, which features a 5 km trail around its perimeter, with parts passing through the adjacent Wildhof. You can find more hiking routes in the area by checking the Hiking around Schmalstede guide.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Lake Einfeld is a natural recreation area with beaches and facilities for activities like beach volleyball. The Bordesholmer See also has a designated bathing area and kiosk, making it popular for swimming during warm months. The Wrohe Swimming Area at Westensee is another excellent family-friendly spot for swimming.

The Schmalstede Mill Pond has significant historical value, dating back to 1253, originally used for fish farming by monks. The 19th-century mill buildings still stand and generate hydropower. The western bank of Lake Einfeld is a recognized nature reserve, offering a chance to observe diverse flora and fauna. The Westensee Nature Park, encompassing Westensee, features extensive natural landscapes with gentle hills, forests, and moors.

A notable viewpoint is the Viewpoint with bench overlooking Westensee, which provides expansive views over the Westensee. The path leading to it is easily accessible. Additionally, the Village Bay on Einfelder See offers beautiful views of Lake Einfeld.

Lake Einfeld offers ideal conditions for surfing, sailing, rowing, or canoeing, and hosts an annual dragon boat race. The Bordesholmer See is popular for swimming and fishing, with pike, carp, perch, and eels among the species found. Motorized boats are not permitted on Bordesholmer See, preserving its tranquility. Westensee is also a popular bathing lake with hidden bays for swimming.

Yes, the Bordesholmer See is a popular fishing spot where anglers can find pike, carp, perch, eels, tench, and various whitefish. Free fishing rights are available at well-developed spots along its shore. The Schmalstede Mill Pond also continues traditional carp farming.

The lakes offer recreational opportunities year-round. Warm summer months are ideal for swimming at Bordesholmer See and Westensee. Spring and autumn are excellent for hiking and cycling around the lakes, enjoying the awakening or changing nature. The Schmalstede Mill Pond is drained in November for carp harvesting, which can be an interesting seasonal event.

Yes, the area is well-suited for cycling. The 8 km circular trail around Lake Einfeld is suitable for bikes. The Westensee Nature Park also offers extensive opportunities for cycling. You can find various road cycling routes in the area by consulting the Road Cycling Routes around Schmalstede guide.

The western bank of Lake Einfeld is a nature reserve providing shelter and refuge for many water birds. The Westensee Nature Park, with its diverse landscapes of forests and moors, is home to various local wildlife. The Eider River, linked to the Mill Pond, also meanders through fertile wet meadows and riparian forests, offering opportunities for nature observation.

The Bordesholmer See has a kiosk at its designated bathing area on the east bank. The Wrohe Swimming Area at Westensee also has a snack bar at the campsite nearby. For more options, the village of Bordesholm, adjacent to Bordesholmer See, offers various amenities.

While not a lake, the Eider River is closely connected to Schmalstede. The Mill Pond's outflow eventually reaches the Eider, which is the longest river in Schleswig-Holstein. The river offers scenic landscapes and recreational opportunities, with the Eidertal hiking trail running nearby for walks and bike rides. Historically, parts of the Eider were incorporated into the Eider Canal, a predecessor to the Kiel Canal.