Nusse: Church, Hiking and Cycling

Nusse combines a long church history with paths through the surrounding area and opportunities by the water. When choosing your stay, you can focus on specific interests: the church’s architectural history, a signposted walk or a bike ride along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. Attractions in the wider destination of the Duchy of Lauenburg also give you an impression of the broader landscape and cultural region.

Church and History in Nusse

The church in Nusse was first mentioned in a document in 1158; the parish is considered one of the oldest in the state. The church’s lofty interior was created in 1839 in the late Neoclassical style. Opposite the church is a historic ensemble comprising the rectory and the parish barn. The church also has a museum room with materials illustrating the furnishings of the former church building. The 19th-century architecture and the former church furnishings therefore represent distinct historical layers.

The church is a venue for the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. The festival program may change, so check the latest dates before making specific plans. The Nusse-Behlendorf Church Music Association also organizes regular concerts featuring regional and international musicians under the title “Music Under the Church Roof.” Here, too, it is advisable to check the concert dates, as the program may change.

Walking Routes, Cycling and Water

One specific option for walking is a 17.11-kilometer circular route that starts and ends at Nusse Cemetery. It passes the church ensemble and goes by Hellmoor and the wetlands of the Diekbek lowlands, the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, the historic Donnerschleuse lock, a nature reserve, the observation platform at Panten Moor Pond and the Steinau Valley. There is also a network of walking and cycling paths around Nusse.

The Elbe-Lübeck Canal begins in Neu-Lankau, about four kilometers from Nusse, and is suitable for cycling year-round. This gives you different types of outings to choose from: a set circular walking route that starts and ends in Nusse, and a destination by the canal that is suitable for cycling in different seasons. The Nusse bathing area, a local swimming spot, is located at Ritzerauer See. Before setting out, check which local facilities are relevant to your visit.

Duvensee and the Wider Region

In neighboring Duvensee, Stone Age hunter-gatherer camps containing charred hazelnut shells were found; the shells are still on view to visitors. A paddle described as the oldest in the world was also found there. These two finds offer a different historical perspective from the architectural history of Nusse Church. If you are planning a side trip to Duvensee, check visitor information in advance.

As a wider destination, the Duchy of Lauenburg offers its own regional setting, distinct from Nusse’s features. In the Duchy of Lauenburg district, 26 percent of the area is forest, and the district also has 48 lakes. The Sachsenwald, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest contiguous forest, is also located there. The Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park lies at the heart of the duchy. This area, approximately 35 by 17 kilometers in size, provides habitat for kingfishers, white-tailed eagles and cranes, among other species.

The nature park has walking trails, observation towers, nature trails and places to rest; it has been designated as a protected area for visitors to enjoy since 1960. Visitors can hike, cycle, canoe and swim in forest lakes there. There are also four signposted cycling routes. These regional options complement the paths and destinations around Nusse but do not replace them: when planning, it is helpful to distinguish between an outing in the local area and a destination elsewhere in the Duchy of Lauenburg.

Plan Your Journey

The Nusse, Hermannstraße stop is served on weekdays by bus routes 8730 and 8760. Check the timetable for your travel date if you plan to arrive by bus. This lets you connect your journey with the specific destinations that matter most to you, such as the church ensemble, the circular walk or a trip to the canal.

Discover more destinations: Rondeshagen, Grambek, Elmenhorst, Groß Grönau, Lauenburg/Elbe, Besenthal, Seedorf, Lankau

See the overview of the wider destination: Duchy of Lauenburg.