Averlak: Kudensee, hiking trails and the Kiel Canal

Averlak lies on the Kiel Canal and on a natural sand dune. The activities described here focus on hikes around the Kudensee and along sections of the canal. Two distinct landmarks can help you plan: the easy, approximately 12-kilometre “Around the Kudensee” route and circular hiking trail No. 2, which follows the canal for part of the way and goes through Kuden to the lake. You can decide what to include in your stay based on the distance, lake views or connection to the canal.

Kudensee: Nature Reserve and Birdlife

The Kudensee and Surroundings nature reserve covers 246 hectares in Averlak and Kuden. The Kudensee itself has a water surface of around 40 hectares and provides a habitat for numerous marsh and water birds. Their presence varies depending on the season. The lake is considered the last remaining lake in Dithmarschen that originated from former sea inlets. The water surface, birdlife and this history of formation are distinct aspects of the landscape around the Kudensee.

Hikes by the Lake and Canal

The “Around the Kudensee” route starts at a restaurant in Averlak. It is classified as an easy hiking route and is about 12 kilometres long; the stated distance is approximately 12.06 kilometres. The route includes an observation platform offering panoramic views of the Kudensee and the surrounding landscape. This hike therefore combines a manageable distance with a designated viewpoint. Check the current starting point and local trail conditions before setting out.

Circular hiking trail No. 2 follows part of the Kiel Canal, passes through Kuden and then reaches the Kudensee. Along the way, hikers get close to large ships on the canal. This gives the route a different focus from the hike around the lake: trail No. 2 centres on the canal and ship traffic, while the other tour’s easy rating, approximate distance and observation platform help with route planning.

Getting There and Practical Planning

Parking for the route is available along the roadside in Averlak. Check local parking conditions before travelling. Bus 2572 connects Averlak and St. Michaelisdonn via Eddelak. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable in advance. This gives you both an option for planning your journey and specific information about where to start your hike.

More to Explore in the Dithmarschen Destination

The wider Dithmarschen destination offers other points of interest to consider when planning your trip. The Dithmarscher Landesmuseum in Meldorf takes you through 1,200 years of Dithmarschen—from the prosperity of the peasant republic to rural everyday life in the 1960s. Guided mudflat hikes on the Dithmarschen coast offer a different focus: knowledgeable local National Park mudflat guides reveal the diverse life of the Wadden Sea at low tide. Tides and tour dates vary, so check the schedule before planning.

Discover more destinations: Hedwigenkoog, Oesterwurth, Wöhrden, Sankt Michaelisdonn, Welmbüttel, Süderdeich, Nordhastedt, Hägen

Go to the main travel overview: Dithmarschen.