Best natural monuments around Bornhöved are found in a municipality located in the Segeberg district of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Situated at the western edge of Holstein Switzerland, the region features a landscape shaped by the last ice age, offering diverse natural attractions. These include significant lakes, river sources, and designated natural monuments. The area provides opportunities for nature observation and outdoor recreation.
Last updated: June 24, 2026
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A tranquil nature reserve with pristine nature, home to rare bird species and diverse plant life. The paths mostly follow the edge, allowing you to enjoy the untouched landscape in all its tranquility. An ideal place for nature lovers who appreciate peace and quiet and unique flora and fauna.
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The list of cultural monuments in Stocksee includes the cultural monuments registered in the list of monuments of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The lake, the Stockseehof and the annual music festival as part of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival are particularly well-known. There is a campsite on the lake. Motorboats and water sports equipment are not allowed on the lake. Fishing licenses are available for fishing. An (unguarded) bathing area with a playground and changing rooms is located in the middle of the village on Seestrasse. Since October 2010, village community rooms have been available for use by local clubs and groups in the old school, the former home of the honorary mayor Dietrich Wiebe, who died in 2009.
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In terms of settlement geography, the municipality consists of a number of districts, also called residential areas in the jargon of settlement statistics. The municipality of Stocksee includes the settlement areas of the eponymous village, the Moorkate group of houses, the Stockseehof estate settlement, the Lehmkuhl farm settlement and the Tannenkate and Voßberg house settlements.
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The area of the municipality of Stocksee extends along the water of the same name[2] in the northwestern part of the main natural area of the East Holstein Hills and Lakes Region (No. 702),[3] one of the Schleswig-Holstein hill countries.
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Stocksee is a municipality in the district of Segeberg in Schleswig-Holstein. The municipality is known throughout Schleswig-Holstein for the summer camp that takes place every year during the summer holidays for up to 170 children and young people from schools in Neumünster, Husum and Itzehoe.
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As part of the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, the Tarbek Moor with its special charm is a popular excursion destination that gives you a variety of impressions. With its diverse composition of ponds and vegetation-free peat banks, it offers undisturbed insights into a mysterious-looking habitat. A moor birch forest borders dark ponds surrounded by snakeroot, dead birch trees in water-filled peat pits rise picturesquely into the sky and fields of waving cotton grass are reminiscent of images from Nordic legends. In the 131-hectare area, which was previously used as a peat extraction area, remnants of this use can still be seen today and carefree cycling and hiking from the Tarbek Moor to the Ihlsee in Bad Segeberg is possible both along former routes that have been preserved to this day and along the railway embankment that connected Bad Segeberg, Bornhöved and Kiel until 1960. https://www.blunkerbach-sh.de/tarbeker-moor
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The Ihlsee is located in the northwestern part of the district town of Bad Segeberg on the northern edge of the Kleinniendorf district and is part of the designated Ihlsee and Ihlwald nature reserve. The origin of the lake has not been fully investigated. Either the depression was formed after the Ice Age due to dead ice or it was created as a sinkhole by the collapse of a cave in the Segeberg salt dome. Today the lake has an area of around 29 hectares and stretches 450 m from north to south and around 850 m from west to east; the shore is 2.25 km long. Along with the Bültsee and the Garrensee, the lake is one of the few nutrient-poor lakes in Schleswig-Holstein. The lake is located in a depression and has no inflow. It is fed only by groundwater and inflowing surface water (precipitation). To the north of the bathing area is the outflow that connects the lake to the Great Segeberg Lake. The lake can be walked around, but there is no path along the lake. There is a bathing area on the eastern shore that has existed for decades. The bathing water quality is regularly monitored and in recent years has been rated as very good to good. There is a residential area on the northern shore. On the western and southern sides, the Ihlwald, a swamp forest, dominates the shoreline. From 1911 to 1961, there was a Kiel-Segeberg narrow-gauge railway station at Ihlsee, the tracks of which were removed in 1962. The Ihlsee was declared a nature reserve in 1950 because of its special features. The lake is a particularly nutrient-poor body of water, which gives rise to rare flora. Today, the lake is part of the Ihlsee and Ihlwald nature reserve and has been part of the Natura 2000 protected area network since 2006. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ihlsee
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Simply a very beautiful area with lots of nature!
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Visitors frequently enjoy the Kattholz Oak, known as one of Germany's thickest oaks due to its enormous trunk. Another favorite is the Stocksee Nature Reserve, which protects a section of Lake Stocksee and its surrounding wooded areas. The Tarbeker Moor is also highly regarded for its walking opportunities and wildlife observation, including cranes and sea eagles.
Yes, several natural monuments around Bornhöved are suitable for families. The Kattholz Oak offers an impressive natural sight. The Stocksee Nature Reserve and Tarbeker Moor provide gentle paths for walks and opportunities to observe nature. Additionally, Lake Ihl, part of a nature reserve, has a bathing area on its eastern shore that families can enjoy.
The region is rich in biodiversity. At the source area of the Alte Schwentine, you might spot kingfishers, eagles, herons, cormorants, and various fish, frog, and dragonfly species. The Tarbeker Moor is home to cranes, otters, and sea eagles. The clear waters of Stocksee Nature Reserve support numerous mollusks, which in turn feed diving ducks and rails. The forest areas, some with primeval characteristics, provide habitats for woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds.
Absolutely. The area offers various routes for outdoor enthusiasts. For hiking, you can explore trails like the 'Bornhöved Chapel and Cemetery – Schwentine source area loop' or the 'Source of the Alte Schwentine loop'. Cyclists can enjoy routes such as the 'Bornhöveder See – Rest Area at Bornhöveder See loop'. You can find more details on these and other routes in the Hiking around Bornhöved and Cycling around Bornhöved guides.
Beyond their natural beauty, some sites have historical importance. The 'Doppeleiche' (Double Oak) in Bornhöved, formally designated as a natural monument, was planted in 1898 to commemorate the Schleswig-Holstein uprising of 1848. While not a natural monument itself, the Viert Assembly Stone Bornhöved is a significant historical site where the city assembly for all of Holstein took place until 1480.
Bornhöved is situated at the western edge of Holstein Switzerland, a landscape shaped by the last ice age. Key features include the source area of the Alte Schwentine river, characterized by rich flora and fauna. The region is also known for its lakes, such as Bornhöveder See, Schmalensee, and Lake Ihl, which are part of a chain of six lakes and offer opportunities for recreation and nature observation.
Yes, there are several circular routes available. For instance, a circular cycling and hiking trail, approximately 8 km long, connects the Bornhöveder See and Schmalensee. You can also find specific hiking loops like the 'Bornhöved Chapel and Cemetery – Schwentine source area loop' which is about 4.6 km. More options are detailed in the Hiking around Bornhöved guide.
Visitors appreciate the diverse natural settings, from ancient oaks like the Kattholz Oak to protected lake areas and moors. The tranquility of places like the Tarbeker Moor and the opportunity for wildlife observation are frequently highlighted. The scenic landscapes, shaped by the last ice age, also provide a peaceful environment for outdoor activities and connecting with nature.
While popular spots are well-known, the source area of the Alte Schwentine river, located in the meadows at the foot of the Grimmelsberg, offers a unique insight into the region's ecology. It's a peaceful spot with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, providing a habitat for various species, and is marked by a signpost for the 'Schwentinequelle'.
The natural monuments around Bornhöved can be enjoyed throughout the year. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking, cycling, and wildlife observation, especially for birdwatching around the lakes and moors. Autumn offers beautiful foliage, while winter can provide a serene, quiet experience, particularly around the frozen lakes and wooded areas, though some paths might be less accessible.
Yes, the region is excellent for birdwatching. The source area of the Alte Schwentine is known for kingfishers, eagles, silver and gray herons, cormorants, and great crested grebes. The Tarbeker Moor is a habitat for cranes and sea eagles. The lakes, including Stocksee Nature Reserve and Lake Ihl, attract various diving ducks, rails, and other water birds.
For comfortable exploration, it's advisable to wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, especially if you plan to venture onto trails in moors or wooded areas. Layered clothing is recommended to adapt to changing weather conditions, and a waterproof jacket can be useful. During warmer months, consider insect repellent, and in winter, dress warmly with appropriate cold-weather gear.


Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones around Bornhöved: