Hollenbek: Kaiser Railway, Museum and Draisine Rides

Three themes can help guide your choice of destination in Hollenbek: the former Kaiser Railway, the Nature Park Barn and hand-operated draisines on a former railway line. The town is located in the Schaalsee region. Alongside local railway and agricultural history, activities in the surrounding countryside are also in focus.

Railway History and the Nature Park Barn

Hollenbek’s history is closely linked to the former Kaiser Railway. The railway station in Hollenbek opened in 1889; the golden train in the town’s coat of arms is a reminder of this connection. The railway’s history is thus also reflected in a visible symbol in the town.

The Nature Park Barn offers another glimpse into local history. This small museum on a property owned by the district covers the history of agriculture and displays historic agricultural machinery. Admission is free. Opening information may change seasonally, so check it before your visit. Railway and agricultural history offer distinct historical perspectives and two specific themes for a stay in Hollenbek.

Draisine Rides and the Schaalsee Region

Visitors can ride hand-operated draisines on the former railway line between Hollenbek and Schmilau. This leisure activity depends on the operator, so check before travelling whether it is available on your chosen date. The route from Ratzeburg to Hollenbek is 13 kilometres long and provides an additional point of reference for planning.

The surrounding area also offers other possibilities: the countryside and winding roads in the Schaalsee region make it an appealing destination for cycling and motorcycle rides. There are also lakes with bathing facilities nearby. Which specific bathing spots and access points are available may vary. The options therefore differ in character, from operator-dependent draisine rides and getting out on the roads to bathing at lakes.

The Wider Setting: Duchy of Lauenburg

The wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg offers a broader regional setting of forests and lakes: 26 percent of the district’s area is forested, and the district includes 48 lakes. The Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous forest, is also located there. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies in the heart of the duchy.

The nature park covers an area measuring approximately 35 by 17 kilometres and provides a habitat for, among other species, kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes. Here you can hike, cycle, canoe and swim in forest lakes; four cycling routes are signposted. Hiking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest offer different ways to experience the landscape. Waterbirds can be observed from the observation tower at Lake Mechow; with a little luck, you may also spot a white-tailed eagle there.

The Duchy of Lauenburg also offers other cultural attractions. The Elbe Shipping Museum in Lauenburg/Elbe features the interactive, three-storey exhibition “Man–Model–Machine” about shipping; visitors can get hands-on with models and interactive stations. The District Museum of the Duchy of Lauenburg in Ratzeburg focuses on the history of the Dukes of Lauenburg and the German-German border. The wider destination thus offers regional history and shipping alongside nature and water.

Discover more destinations: Schulendorf, Groß Disnack, Nusse, Elmenhorst, Breitenfelde, Ratzeburg, Klempau, Dassendorf

For the wider travel overview: Duchy of Lauenburg.