Högsdorf: Hiking between nature and history

Get to know Högsdorf on a hike that combines nature and culture. The point-to-point trail reaches the village via Schoppelweg and continues from there towards Helmstorf. At around 13 kilometres and an estimated duration of about four hours, the route gives you a clear framework for planning your day. Along the way, landscape views meet archaeological and historical points of interest.

Nature and culture along the way

The route combines nature and cultural hiking. Near Schoppelweg, an opening in a hedge offers a view across cultivated fields; vegetation and visibility may vary. Large erratic boulders along the way are considered remnants of the Plön ice advance during the Weichselian glaciation. The route crosses the Alte Mühlenau and passes through the Achtersöhren woodland. Large oaks and a pond with pollarded willows shape the landscape there. Yellow marsh marigolds, cowslips and red toothwort are among the plants found around a woodland pond along the way. Their visibility varies depending on the season. The Gut Helmstorf nature trail is also one of the sights along the route. Burial mounds lie on the path between Högsdorf and Helmstorf. The hike thus combines fields and woodland with nature and cultural traces.

The history of the name and traces of the past

Historical forms of Högsdorf’s name include HUSSEKENDORP, HOSTORPE, HÖSTORF and HOESTORFF; the village has used its current name since 1810. The history of the Helmstorf estate district also provides a historical context: from the late 18th century onwards, much of the land was leased until the estate districts were dissolved in 1927. Högsdorf was sold by the owner of the estate in 1928. Another historical point of interest along the route is the former Lütjenburg–Gremsmühlen railway line, which dates back to 1892. These names, dates and places give the hike a historical dimension, without requiring a separate visit as part of the route.

Practical information for your hike

The Högsdorf–Lütjenburg section is considered fully accessible to pushchairs. The route has no steep sections. As trail conditions can change, check their current state before setting off if needed. To reach the route, you can take bus route 310 from Kiel to Schmiedendorf; a return connection runs from Lütjenburg towards Kiel. The Högsdorf Siedlung bus stop is freely accessible at all times. Check the current timetable before travelling. The approximate route length and duration can help you estimate how much time to allow for the hike; you can also factor in the bus connection for your outward and return journeys.

Plön as the wider regional setting

The wider travel destination of Plön opens up a view of a larger landscape. The district of Plön is home to around 80 lakes, including Lake Großer Plöner See at 29 km² and Lake Selenter See at 22 km². The district lies between the Baltic Sea and Holstein Switzerland and has around 50 kilometres of Baltic Sea coastline. Large parts of the district belong to the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, which covers 75,000 hectares. This regional setting offers more options for cycling and hiking: the district has a signposted cycle network of 850 kilometres as well as developed Nordic walking routes. These details describe the wider travel destination of Plön and should not be confused with the local features of Högsdorf.

Discover more destinations: Barmissen, Giekau, Fargau-Pratjau, Schlesen, Schrevenborn, Wahlstorf, Lütjenburg, Kühren

Back to the wider travel guide: Plön.